Honest question: how do you keep your cool about the election?

[WillyBrandt]

I think despite our shit media, and shaky GOP-controlled state governments, Hillary has a huge advantage. I know polls go up and down, but even on our worst day I'll take her polls over his. She's got more cash. All that.

But despite what my mind knows, my gut gets tied up in knots with this poll or that poll, or I get frustrated by a media chasing this shiny object when there's a huge big racist monster right over there. A wiser person would donate, check in once a week, volunteer a bit, and keep living life. I check polls nearly first thing when I wake up! Crazy! Sometimes I'll buy a little sanity by sending Hillary $10-25.

I'm too emotionally invested and I can't look away.

Honest -- do any of you keep your cool? What's the trick? Politics matters but I got a life to lead too!

[crabsley]

1. When they go low

We go high ! Hey, we got this don't sweat it..)

[DonViejo]

2. I only read newspaper and magazine articles....

as well as articles from Progressive web/news sites. I don't watch or listen to any talking heads on TV or radio.

[apcalc]

3. I do not watch TV, screw the talking heads!

Instead ! It is quiet and peaceful.
I read what I want, visit liberal sites on the internet if I want, and visit DU often for the wonderful companionship of like minds.

[bigwillq]

4. I never take politics too seriously

And I really never get emotionally invested.

Sure, I have passionate, fiery, sometimes testy, exchanges IRL and on-line, but I never take politics in general too seriously nor do I get too emotionally invested because, quite frankly, politics and the government is broken and most of our elected leaders care more about special interests. They are not working for us. So, no, I do not like very many in our government and I will not allow myself to get invested in them.

[KingCharlemagne]

20. Trump's Phoenix speech proves he is sui generis and must be taken very seriously. All

leftists must hope for the best but plan for the worst.

[C_U_L8R]

6. Eat tacos.

So hot they're cool

[elleng]

7. I don't read polls,

and only listen to the PBSNewsHour for televised news.

I've given up donating. 'My' candidate(s) rarely if ever win.

[NastyRiffraff]

8. Honest answer: I don't

I wish I could, and if I exercised more willpower by not listening to the stupid talking heads, reading idiotic articles, and taking nice long walks now that the weather's nice, I probably would be able to. But I can't seem to do all the things that would help keep me sane.

[WillyBrandt]

11. Well, I am glad someone else is nuts too!

Am not alone!

[Grown2Hate]

14. Count me in. If either of you find a solution, let me

know.

[Silent3]

18. Me too.

It troubles me greatly that with someone as horrendous as Trump running that the election could be as close as it is. I can't find much mental peace until I absolutely know that Trump has lost. Any possibility of him winning hangs over me as a terrible threat.

[CentralMass]

9. Hopefully your donation will buy the same amount of influence that the big money is buying.

[WillyBrandt]

12. Just curious, which racial minority are you a part of, CentralMass?

Because Candidate B is a fascist whose followers don't look kindly on the non-lily-white. So it matters to me, and if my feelings are irrational my donation makes sense.

Or is TPP the thing that matters most? Thanks.

[CentralMass]

19. I'm in a group that looks at things like wage disparity and poverty

In this country with concern. In a country where we have 47 million people living in poverty and have 42% of Hispanic and 38% of African American children living below the poverty line. One where we added 8 million more to the ranks of those living in poverty over the last 8 years while we had some record corporate profits.

So while I am a loyal Democrat. and vote accordingly I reserve the right to remain skeptical of any candidate who receives quarter of a million dollars speaking fees for 40 minute speeches to Wall St firms.

[bettyellen]

24. You know what causes most poverty? Being a young single mom. If it was your priority you'd be

Talking about how to help young moms and their babies before trying to topple that oligarchy.
but that sounds like something Hillary would do. Can't have that!


You avoided that question pretty well. Pretending to care about the poverty of POC when it's your own wallet you're thinking about is a common dodge.

[jodymarie aimee]

29. You sir are correct

In my city the poor elderly and disabled live in a low income bldg, where they pay 30% of their income. Most make $8 or 9 Grand a year. These folks are kind and generous, despite having nothing. Of 73 units, only 12 have automobiles. Walker has made it harder for them. In WI a single senior gets $16 a MONTH in foodstamps. They have nothing but would give you the shirt off their backs.

When Jimmy Carter ran he spent ZERO on both campaigns.That is the way it used to be. I cringe ever time the press touts how much a candidate pulled in.

And NO candidate running for President understands what my brothers and sisters go thru..some legless, some have brain cancer. I take them to townhalls, DEM meetings, etc. The rich fill their hot tubs with the blood of these folks. So yes, leave CentralMass alone. He is heroic.

[CentralMass]

32. +1k

[0rganism]

10. try marathonning Rick & Morty

5 hours of that should sooth your gut considerably
mind-enhancing herbs optional but recommended

[CTyankee]

13. I just limit my TV news watching. I am watching less and less of Morning Joe over my morning

coffee and cheerios. I get the daily memo Joe gets on republican spin and god knows what from Mika. I listen to some of the guests (I like Gene Robinson a LOT) and some of their regulars. All I know is that with the ascension of Trump the pukes credibility is in the toilet and that's fine by me. At least I'm not yelling and throwing things at the TV...

[longship]

15. Laugh! And keep laughing!

Oh! And GOTV.

Get folks to the polls!

[Nye Bevan]

16. I imagine myself waking up

and realizing that the Trump nomination was all just a bad dream.

[CK_John]

17. Your school supv, local city or town supv, and China military effect your

life more than who becomes POTUS.

Remember the President proposes, Congress disposes, and the Judicary keeps score.

The World Series can be a distraction.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Sometimes I can't keep my cool, and then I pay a price: can't sleep, etc.

But when I'm smart, I do something else: read, write a poem, take a photo, stare out the window at something lovely...

Or cook! When I have the energy.

And I keep reminding myself: This too will pass...

[AgadorSparticus]

22. I never watch TV. I can't stomach m$m so I just don't go there

I go to my online media that I like and I think that helps alot. A few times I will go to cnn.com, get pissed and run back to Huffpost or here.

[yuiyoshida]

23. This works for me...

うちわ uchiwa

[Coyotl]

25. Just take a Taco Truck break as needed.

A healthy focus on satire and derision of idiocy keeps me chuckling until well after election day.

Google Trump+cartoons+satire+derision, bookmark it, then check it first thing every morning.

Oh, and be sure to report what you find, especially after clicking images.

[jberryhill]

26. Concentrate on what you need to do

Clean out your closet. Fix that thing you've been meaning to fix. Get out for a walk. Start playing Pokemon Go.

Find something productive which engages you, and throw yourself into it.

[TonyPDX]

27. Unplug. Avoid the media. Take a long walk. Know that if you vote, it will all be over soon.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

28. I laugh a lot.

[OhZone]

30. Listen to Stephanie Miller! OHYEAH!

http://www.stephaniemiller.com/

She has the facts and counter points against the Cons, with humor, a great impressionist (Jim Ward), and intelligent regular and irregular guests. ha

Also follow DU, of course, and Colbert, and other sources.

I only glance at regular TV and cable news occasionally.

Yeah, I'd rather laugh than cry!

I used to be glued to what TYT says, but they've believed too many GOP conspiracy theories and lies lately. They're no longer fair or fact based.

Oh well.

[Avalux]

31. Ridicule, laughter.

If I get too serious about it I'll go mad. Besides - the best thing to do to a bully is make fun of him.

[mahina]

33. Right there with you, exactly, and I struggle.

The prospect of the Cheeto Benito sends chills down my spine daily.

Onward!