Fear, Anxiety, and Depression in the Age of Trump - Therapists/Patients Struggle

[S16M4]

Harm to yourself cannot originate in the ruling part of another person, and surely not in some turn of events or altercation of your surroundings. On what, then, does it depend? Upon that part of you which judges what is bad. So prevent this part from making such a decision, and all will be well for you. Even if the body, its closest companion, is cut, burned, covered in dripping sores, or rotted with gangrene; nevertheless, let that part of you which judges all these experiences be at peace, and let it judge as neither good nor bad anything that can happen to the good and bad man alike.

-Marcus Aurelius

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Anyway, on this side of Atlantic people and governmets talk openly about Trump and how this time there indeed may be liberal "refugee" wave out of USA that is comming our way

Good riddance.

 

[Siúil a Rúin]

I've also wondered if Trump is an expression of the American mindset towards politics: that the two parties are basically football teams. You pick a team, and humiliate the other team.

What is so absurd in this system is that the two parties are essentially the same. They both support the interests of the mega-banks and mega-corporations. They use different avenues to achieve the same result. The Democrats increase government control, so that the government can directly favor the mega-banks and corporations. The Republicans deregulate, so that the banks and corporations have more direct control. Both parties increase war activities for the same reasons, both increase power for the already powerful. The primary differences between the parties are social issues that the people at the top of either side doubtlessly even care about.

The two parties are like football teams in that they function the same way, have the same goals, promote mindless insult tactics and macho-humiliation towards the other side, and regardless of who wins the game, nothing changes. People who are strongly team-oriented in politics have allowed the system to completely shape their ideas and reactions. Why not reject both and rethink the game?

 

[Virtual ghost]

I've also wondered if Trump is an expression of the American mindset towards politics: that the two parties are basically football teams. You pick a team, and humiliate the other team.

What is so absurd in this system is that the two parties are essentially the same. They both support the interests of the mega-banks and mega-corporations. They use different avenues to achieve the same result. The Democrats increase government control, so that the government can directly favor the mega-banks and corporations. The Republicans deregulate, so that the banks and corporations have more direct control. Both parties increase war activities for the same reasons, both increase power for the already powerful. The primary differences between the parties are social issues that the people at the top of either side doubtlessly even care about.

The two parties are like football teams in that they function the same way, have the same goals, promote mindless insult tactics and macho-humiliation towards the other side, and regardless of who wins the game, nothing changes. People who are strongly team-oriented in politics have allowed the system to completely shape their ideas and reactions. Why not reject both and rethink the game?

Philosphical answer: Because that takes courage, intellectal strength and search for alternatives that are not presented to you on a plate.

Realistic answer: there is just too much money involved and people are generally lazy.