[mrnoodle]

Believe it or not, I didn't have an agenda when I put up this poll, other than being genuinely curious where people stood. I really expected more "my life is worse because I HATE HIM AND I HOPE HE DIES AND HE EATS BABIES!!!!!!!11"

We all seem to perceive some kind of relationship between national politics and our day to day lives, but is it possible that for most of us, this is an illusion? Yes, national policy affects the grand scheme of things, and at some point a trickle down the back of our neck can be traced (vaguely) back to a particular cloud. But maybe the problem isn't the cloud -- maybe you should have shut the collar on your shirt [/weak metaphor]. But if you're not in the military, on welfare, or otherwise intimately involved with government, isn't it all just academic in the end? How many of us (I'm sure there are some) can actually say "In 1999, I sure enjoyed replenishing my soul at location <x>, but then Bush came and cut down all the trees, and now a piece of me is gone forever." How many can say "I had a job in 99, but when Bush got into office, I was not only laid off, but unable to find work simply because of who was in the white house. It had nothing to do with my performance or any other economic factors."

I think quality of life is measured by your relationship with God, family, friends, and your immediate environment. Money's important, so is fun. So is not being afraid. But just because one chooses to build their life around doom and gloom just because they didn't get their guy in the WH, doesn't make their shitty life anyone's fault but theirs.

/2cents, etc.