Is politics making you stressed? Anxious? Depressed? Some days are worse than others for me. Today was particularly bad, especially with that stupid, fear mongering, "scare us into calling our senators" ad I've been seeing all day.
I've written about this FISA issue so much already, it makes me want to just SCREAM! I guess that makes me a wee-bit stressed?
Do you ever want to scream at your television? Here is a video clip of the FISA ad with the "truth" pointed out...
Today I even let the "F-bomb" slip, and in front of my daughter no less. It was while I was on the phone talking about politics (specifically, my pet-peeve issue of Florida disenfranchisement), and my daughter was sitting in the same room. There goes my "Perfect Mother of the Year" award.
How would you rate your level of politically induced stress? Are you a one? And not affected at all over political issues? Or, are you a ten? And waiting patiently for the men with straight jackets to show up at your door? I don't think I'm a ten yet. But, at this rate, I'm sure it won't be too long before I am.
Here are a couple posts I found of other women who are stressing over politics...
Lori Wallach at The Huffington Post
As America's anxiety grows, the economy not only is becoming a preeminent issue of the election, but the presidential candidates are responding to public anxiety about the current model of globalization. The Democratic candidates are reflecting back the public criticism of the status quo, but so far, they have avoided stating how an aspiring future president would restore the economic security of the American middle class in this era of globalization.
Maya Reynolds: Election Day Preview
I woke early and was at my desk by 7:30--despite rain and the fact that I usually drift in around 9:00 AM.
I've been aware of a low-level anxiety all morning. Sort of like the feeling my mother used to describe as "ants in your pants."
While I was eating my Chinese food and cruising the Internet over lunch, it dawned on me.
Wonderful Electric - Election Blues
Okay, so on Tuesday I went to cast my vote in the Democrats Abroad primary at Portchester Hall in London. The problem was, I was having a massive moral crisis. I was an undecided voter, for the first time in my entire life (and yes, this includes casting a vote for Dukakis in my school's mock election in 1988 and crying when Bush won).
Since Edwards dropped out (and this Krugman column made me cry), I've had a hard time getting excited about the Democratic primary. This isn't just out of character, it's out of keeping with the massive turnouts recorded all over the states which (I assume) means that heaps of other people are terribly thrilled. It's a strange combination of disillusionment, apathy, and indecision that I've never experenced before. Between Obamania and the Hillarybot, who the hell am I going to vote for?
Elissa's Blog - Election Blues
I don't know about you, but I'm having a panic attack about the future of our country. I remember a conversation I had with a friend of mine around the time of the last presidential election. She considered herself a Democrat and I considered myself a Republican.
The real question is...How are we going to make it to November with all of this stress? Well, there is no specific "political" stress relief program. But, here are some general tips you might find helpful, in reducing your level of stress. When all else fails...Turn the "freekin" news OFF.
Child of the Waters - Stress: Don't Fight It, Control It.
Under stress? Always. First and foremost, don’t panic! Some people can work under stress because they do not panic. Keep calm and assess the situation. What is the sources of the stress? Is it your boss? Your officemate? The office/school itself? Chill. Hopefully, none of them bite. Here are some ways to control the stress in your life...
Pagama Mommy - Stress Relief
I heard recently that there is no such thing as stress. You can’t go outside with an empty jar, fill it with stress then bring it home or with you to wherever you go. Hmmm, sounds good. Then why are we so stressed-out? Why do we do this to ourselves?
So, tell the truth...Are you stressed out over politics?
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
Comments
Doing pretty well in Texas
I don't feel stressed, I'm excited. I feel really good about the two Democratic candidates and I learned this year that Texas has a primary (and a caucus)! I don't remember it ever being important before, being so late in the season. Now it is a regular part of conversation everywhere I go, have you voted yet? are you going to caucus?
I'm feeling pretty good about this year.
Carol Marie Ramsey
Finding balance and peace in parenting at Graceful Parenting
You are lucky Carol...
You are very lucky Carol...you get to vote twice! I got to vote once, but it doesn't count. I can definitely see why you are not feeling stressed, it must be so exciting to be in Texas. :-)
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
I seldom watch TV news
in the principle of protecting my mental health. I sometimes turn on the news to see who won on the night of a primary, and switch from channel to channel trying to find one with a person on the news desk who doesn't drive me crazy. I'm happy to be ignorant about the various failings of Chris Matthews, Ann Coulter, and Bill O'Reilly because I keep them out of my view.
http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/
Not watching TV news, is a great way to avoid
stress...
Hi Virginia. I think not watching TV news is probably the single most important way to avoid stress. And I'm sure the reason I get so stressed, is because I basically have the news channels on most of the day.
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
I'm with Virginia.
I'm a journalist and I do watch tv news (and online news) but it's the tickers that get to me, and the repetition of images. It has a really strange effect on me to be watching one person talking about a topic and then, at the bottom of the screen, it's "Lohan released from rehab...the Dow Jones industrial blahblahblah...New cure for blahblahblah..." And we wonder why focusing is a challenge in the modern world?
Post-9/11, when the 24 hour news cycle had the same footage of Osama bin Laden walking up and down a hill with a walking stick, over and over and over again, I started to go a little crazy. Even when nothing's changed for hours, there is still that need to fill the space and that's when I have to shut it off or change the channel.
As far as politics, I am a little saturated right now (and irritated by racist/sexist media coverage but it's important to keep an eye on that.) And I still have to engage with it professionally so I have to keep finding ways to keep it fresh, not just stressful.
Laurie
You are so right about the ticker.
Hey Laurie. You are so right about the ticker...I've given up trying to read it and listen. And they keep adding more and more of them, pretty soon they are going to be half way up the screen. I wish they would only use it when there is something truly "breaking", and then just leave it off the rest of the time.
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
One word response to your title
YES!!!!!
Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants
Glad I'm not the only one.
Hey Suzanne. Thanks...I was beginning to think I was the only one. :-)
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
I was fine, until Nader flared up again.
That's all. Reminded that we are a nation of individual egos that would rather stir shit up to get our way than work together for change. I'm moving to Peru. I will raise llamas. You're all welcome to come visit. :)
___________
Alyssa Royse
JUST CAUSE
make some good news!
www.JustCauseIt.com
Just visit????
Just visit Alyssa? We can't move in with you and help raise llamas???
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
OF COURSE you can move in
Wouldn't that be great. A bunch of kick-ass smart women! hell, Paradise! :)
___________
Alyssa Royse
JUST CAUSE
make some good news!
www.JustCauseIt.com
Paradise sounds good right now.
Hey Alyssa, paradise sure sounds good right now.
:-)
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
Goat farming in Greece
My plan is to move to Greece and raise goats and/or sheep for delicious yogurts and cheeses.
Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants
Good Topic
I was wondering why I've been short of breath lately. I know I should try to stay away from the news, but tonight another debate is scheduled. There's no point in promising myself I won't look at it because I'll be drawn to it like a bee to honey.
Frances Ellen is the Narrator of the Story of Nadia - The continuing fiction story of a card reader named Nadia.
I hope you made it through tonight's
debate...
Hi Frances. I hope you made it through o.k. with tonight's debate. It sounds like you could use a day at the beach.
:-)
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog
Stressed? No. Engaged? Yes.
During past elections I felt either apathetic ("oh well I'll vote for the lesser of the two evils, I guess") or downright disappointed. This is the first election I've really felt excited about and engaged by. Now I'd just like for the divisions in the democratic party to cease. Democrats are supposed to be a party that brings people together over issues of gender and race. Not dividing over it.
Sleeping Mommy
"If sleep deprivation is an effective form of torture, then the CIA should seriously consider employing my children."
Would you be stressed if Dems didn't make a
decision until...
Hi Sleeping Mommy. Would you be stressed if Dems didn't make a decision on the nominee until the Democratic Convention?
Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog