Encountering Anguish and Anxiety Across America

[katty]

more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2024065,00.html
By Joe Klein

On a blistering evening in Phoenix recently, a group of prominent civic leaders met to talk about America. It didn't take long for the conversation to get around to the fall of the Ottoman Empire. That's what happens when smart Americans get to talking about politics these days. Topic A is the growing sense that our best days as a nation are behind us, that our kids won't live as well as we did, that China is in the driver's seat.
(See more entries from Joe Klein's road trip.)

This is a popular, perhaps even dominant, theme in the U.S. this season — but it doesn't begin to describe the anguish that dominated every conversation about politics I witnessed during a four-week trip across the country.



Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2024065,00.html#ixzz11hmPzIuw

[Newest Reality]

1. People keep

repeating the term, "the economy".

I think that's part of the problem with waking-up to this. What we really mean "their economy" and we are only along for the ride now, considering the current distribution of power, property and wealth when it comes to who owns America.

There is much diversity and a spectrum of conditions across a country this size. What seems to be emerging is a subtle wave of people who "get it" extremely well. They are not being overtly reactionary and there certainly understand that there is nothing left for us to "take back"; the party is over and we have to find a path to sanity and something that is real civilization for a change.

Those are the people who use the term, "transition" and are taking pro-active steps to do what they can to move on with a vision that sustainable life is going to be one of our only means to both survive and try to maintain some level of comfort, civility and reciprocal cooperation as a species. Peak Oil and the effects that this short epoch of debauched capitalism are having on climate, species and future generations are inconvenient facts that would compel anyone who considers themselves humane and realistic to act.

There are other ways. There are many other ways, in fact; some new, some old and some ancient. If we continue with this zombie march of habit, media-mindedness and fear, we will miss both the opportunity and the boat to a new phase of life for all. The guardians at the threshold are in the way, and this won't be as easy as the petro-energy-slave has made it, but this sort of movement does hold some promise and unexpected rewards for us and our progeny.

I think we can find a way to enjoy a simpler life that respects our environment, (no, not it the silly, green-conscious, corporate ways that ease your conscience about your impact) and others that is based on fulfillment, learning and work that is more based on our actual survival and community with time for creativity and enjoyment rather than wage-slavery and competitive, often ruthless, oneupmanship.

Consider that and open your eyes to a way that is still less taken, but leads to something better.

[katty]

2. I concur, the essence of the so called good, bad and ugly

process of change is a monumental transition. It is extemely difficult to retain that conscious awareness when your job and/or house is gone or going soon--the kids need food, shelter, stability, etal, while the banks hold on to billions, CEO's keep making tons of money and government continues to blather. During major transitions many suffer, some prosper, some work with innovation, in likeminded groups to create healthly solutions and yet most people and their circumstances change forever. Hopefully, all our lives will be replaced by a simpler, more humane and sustainable life-and that will take much hard work but it can happen.

[ladjf]

3. Yes, and anguish and anxiety lead to depression which leads to

a whole host of very serious mental disorders. nt

[grasswire]

4. the comments following that article are UGLY

Frighteningly ignorant, and ugly.