# Does current political discourse depress you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 18, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589 "2012-07-18T02:24:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/21 "2012-07-18T18:22:27Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > My weakness seems to be when someone says or posts (a la Facebook) something that is patently absurd or untrue. For example, one friend posted that page 272 of “Obamacare” includes language that restricts cancer care for people over age 76 (this friend is 72). I looked at page 272. That particular page says no such thing (it’s not even on a related subject). I posted the entire page for my friend, reassuring him that, if he gets cancer, there is nothing in the PPACA that restricts his care. In fact, I searched the law for every instance of the word “cancer” and there is no language that restricts care by age. What scares me is that you even had to look it up. Nobody should believe such an absurd thing in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/22 "2012-07-18T18:27:56Z")
Nobody should tell other people it isn’t true without checking if the information is at hand, either. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/23 "2012-07-18T19:01:39Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I don’t discuss politics with friends because it would be too disappointing to see them outed as morons. I don’t mind so much the internet moron. > > However, the overall tone of politics has been getting me down. Frankly, it’s the Republicans, two quotes sum it up. > > Mitch McConnell “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” > > In the middle of a recession, high unemployment, real estate crashed, and THIS is the most important thing you want to achieve? > > John Kyl “I’m obviously not going to vote for a piece of legislation that I haven’t been able to help craft” > > A piece of legislation is good or bad on its own merits, not because the other side let you insert riders. Thanks, though, we can now state truthfully that Republicans are happy to raise taxes on small business, as long as it let’s them deny Democrats a “victory”. To that list I would add the following [QUOTE=Richard Mourdock] I certainly think bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view” [/QUOTE] Or in other words compromise means I get my way and you give up. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/24 "2012-07-18T20:15:30Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Or in other words compromise means I get my way and you give up. Sounds like my ex-wife. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/25 "2012-07-18T23:15:59Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > What scares me is that you even had to look it up. Nobody should believe such an absurd thing in the first place. That’s just it; it is absurd, but people believe it. So, I looked it up. I posted the entire page word-for-word. It did nothing – NOTHING – to change his position. Even though the words simply don’t exist, my friend is still convinced that the PPACA law will kill him if he gets sick (because he is an older person). There is absolutely no evidence of this, but he is convinced. Now, we could dismiss this as the rantings of an old man, but many of his much younger friends and relatives believe it, too. Oddly, these folks insist that the law is 2700 pages long, when it is clearly only 974 pages. How can a reasonable discussion take place when we cannot even agree on basic facts like how many pages are there, or what the words mean? ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/26 "2012-07-18T23:33:19Z")
I’m reading Socialism by vonMises at the moment. It’s instructive to understanding Libertarianism and opposition to socialism, but there are segments which are depressing as fuck\*. I’ve got a document open critiquing various parts I find objectionable. In contrast, stuff like claiming debt should be payable in chicken seem really quite inconsequential. - As in, I actually feel in a worse mood after reading it. Not quite anhedonia, but yeah. Likewise with racist screeds. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/27 "2012-07-19T16:43:40Z")
For me, the problem is that none of the obvious political shocks of the past ~12 years have done anything (outside of sound and fury) to change American politics. Folks on the left still back Obama ferociously despite his less-than-liberal record, conservatives continue to fellate the titans of finance, and the usual supporters of Perot/Nader/Paul are still impotent and standing holier-than-thou outside the process, bellowing for “a pox on both their houses”. All sides claim that we’re heading for some great reckoning–with all the relevance and accuracy of those religious fools warning about the Rapture. During that same period, we’ve had two failed wars, watched the economy crater, turned a budget surplus into the largest deficit in history, and witnessed an inept public response to a variety of preventable disasters (Katrina, BP oil spill, collapse of I-35 highway bridge). We elected an African-American president who was sold as a new hope for America, but nothing changed. The GOP won the biggest mid-term Congressional reversal in history, and nothing changed. We’ve had the Tea Party and OWS rise up in protest–arguably the biggest social protests since the 60’s though I wouldn’t necessary want to argue that point–and still nothing changed. In the wake of all this, the GOP has nominated a man who, its fair to say, is part of the same elite class that’s either caused or profited from most of the major f-up’s of the past 12 years. And he has a serious chance of winning. If this isn’t the ultimate evidence that nothing has changed, I don’t know what is. At some point things will have to change, but if recent events have done little to move the country, I shudder to think of the magnitude of disaster that will. If you’re not depressed, you’re not paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/28 "2012-07-19T17:02:51Z")
> [@CJJ](#): > > If this isn’t the ultimate evidence that nothing has changed, I don’t know what is. > > At some point things will have to change, but if recent events have done little to move the country, I shudder to think of the magnitude of disaster that will. If you’re not depressed, you’re not paying attention. I’d say this is a GOOD sign about things, if things were really bad this nonsense would be less tolerable. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/29 "2012-07-19T17:24:30Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > \*\*Does current political discourse depress you? > \*\* No, but it angers me. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/30 "2012-07-19T19:53:14Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > **Does current political discourse depress you?** Yes, because it rarely rises to the level I would consider discourse. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/31 "2012-07-20T03:45:34Z")
Do you find that the current political climate is affecting your overall mood or health? I am concerned that the toxicity of conversation is affecting me in unhealthy ways. ---
**Author:** ![gatorslap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/32 "2012-07-20T08:34:31Z")
Thankfully, I don’t have any conservative friends on Facebook. But, I do occasionally get into it with friends of friends. I’ve yet to encounter a conservative who has anything rational to say. It’s invariably stupid shit like “Obama’s a socialist!” and so on and so forth. Most recently, a friend of mine shared an image taking Mitt Romney to task regarding gay rights. A friend of his commented with: “how is Obama any different at all? I think obama is just as fucked up… believles in punishing those who succeed and I feel he is a bit racist as well.” Seriously?! Not only is that an extremely moronic thing to say, it’s not even remotely relevant. Maybe it’s only because I make friends with super smart people, but all of my liberal friends understand the concept of there being a subject at hand. When I post something negative about Romney, none of them go “yeah and he’s also a racist!” or anything to that effect. I mean, _come on_. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/33 "2012-07-20T08:53:46Z")
I was okay with it, content to just debate my friends on friendly terms and part ways afterwards. People on both sides could get annoying but my friends are generally rational, even if we disagree. But then one linked [this](http://www.ijreview.com/2012/07/10711-video-catchy-anti-obama-song-points-out-biggest-faults/), as wrong as it is the song is really fucking catchy, but the comments are what worries me. ETA: Those those people are primarily conservative, a lot of the lefties that pop in don’t tend to fare much better on the “use arguments not talking points” scale. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/34 "2012-07-20T18:32:23Z")
You could say depressing. It isn’t a discourse when one side uses straight-up hysterical lies as arguments and the other side jumps up and down and screams, “selfish stupid cruel creeps!” The latter would be me. ---
**Author:** ![Untoward\_Parable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/51bf81/32.png) [@Untoward\_Parable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Untoward_Parable)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/35 "2012-07-20T20:11:41Z")
Political expression in social groups is mostly about affirming ones sameness or likability with the group you are in. Whenever you are out of sink with the group in a way that is or you perceive is viewed negatively by the group your brain tells you that you are inferior to the group. Your intellect usually fights this resulting in bitterness and alienation and stubborn holding on the “bad” thoughts. Whether you’re right or wrong it’s very hard not to become depressed and lose energy. It’s neuroscience, even if it’s also dumb. (basically you produce less dopamine and/or eliminate it faster from synapses) ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/36 "2012-07-20T22:27:47Z")
Quoted from Fumster: “I hate to say it, but the “corporations are people” meme is a misrepresentation as well. Romney’s point was that corporations are owned by people, and those people ultimately pay taxes when earnings are disbursed. There are valid arguments about how corporations let people avoid taxes, what the tax rates should be, etc., but he was not making the Citizens United argument.” People quoting Romney or showing him making this remark are not necessarily making a comment on Citizens United. This statement of Romney’s is patent idiocy on its face. It does not require context, it only requires that Romney believe it, which, when he goes on to expound on the thought, he clearly shows he does. Thus, those Republicans who charge that it is inappropriate to make fun of Romney for saying this are incorrect. My guess, though, is that Romney agrees with Citizens United, and if backed against a wall would repeat his comment in that context as well. ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/37 "2012-07-20T22:50:53Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Frankly, it’s the Republicans, two quotes sum it up. > > Mitch McConnell “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” > > In the middle of a recession, high unemployment, real estate crashed, and THIS is the most important thing you want to achieve? > > John Kyl “I’m obviously not going to vote for a piece of legislation that I haven’t been able to help craft” > > A piece of legislation is good or bad on its own merits, not because the other side let you insert riders. Thanks, though, we can now state truthfully that Republicans are happy to raise taxes on small business, as long as it let’s them deny Democrats a “victory”. My very thought, though more clearly expressed. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/38 "2012-07-21T05:16:29Z")
> [@Untoward\_Parable](#): > > Political expression in social groups is mostly about affirming ones sameness or likability with the group you are in. Whenever you are out of sink with the group in a way that is or you perceive is viewed negatively by the group your brain tells you that you are inferior to the group. Your intellect usually fights this resulting in bitterness and alienation and stubborn holding on the “bad” thoughts. Whether you’re right or wrong it’s very hard not to become depressed and lose energy. It’s neuroscience, even if it’s also dumb. (basically you produce less dopamine and/or eliminate it faster from synapses) Thank you for this. This offers a reason for my lethargy that I hadn’t considered. Anyone else experience this sort of internal struggle? ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/39 "2012-07-21T12:04:22Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > Thank you for this. This offers a reason for my lethargy that I hadn’t considered. Anyone else experience this sort of internal struggle? Absolutely. “Go with the flow” is usually good advice if you consider only that reason. It does make life easier to conform, you don’t have to struggle hard or think and re-think debates. Unfortunately, of you truly value your personal philosophy, **Elbows** ’ advice is actually a better course. Opt-out. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589/40 "2012-07-23T14:51:45Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > Thank you for this. This offers a reason for my lethargy that I hadn’t considered. Anyone else experience this sort of internal struggle? Now that you are aware of it, you won’t have to struggle any more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-current-political-discourse-depress-you/628589.md?page=3)