Ray, put down the bottle and step away from the keyboard.
Let me tell you that I respect the fact that you have been in this thread from the beginning and you haven't been shy about sharing your opinions, not like Gene who was too afraid to be here until after the election when he thinks he has a winner and just shows up to troll. First if you don't think there are opposing "factions" in our government that have their own agenda and would be willing to use force to defend said agenda then I truly believe you are as naive as anyone I have ever known. Just because they work for the government doesn't mean they aren't mean, evil, and violent criminals. Now does this mean this is true? No, but you have at least to admit that it is a possibility. Jerryl has done just as good as any of the media companies is giving us stuff to digest and although he has his opinions he has always said that we need to make our own decisions.
I am also about fed up with your war stories. Don't get me wrong, I am proud and supportive of anyone who has served our country but in life we are just as much a product of our environments as anything. You are not the only Veteran here and just because your life circumstances put you into some shitty situations does not make you better or braver than anyone else here. In fact, I believe I heard you were drafted. I volunteered, as has everyone that has served since around 1972. I will admit that I was lucky enough that all of my service was during peacetime but that in no way means I would not have went into battle. I knew what that enlistment asked of me and I accepted that responsibility. I also have scars that will be with me till my grave that were received in the service of Uncle Sam. Not from conflict with the enemy but painful and permanent just the same. Sure you can say you are tough because you survived a war but stop dumping on other people just because they didn't have to. Trump sort of said the same thing about McCain. He wasn't a hero just because he was captured. He was just damn unlucky. I would like to think any man here would rise to the occasion if life forced them in to the same circumstances. Now I have to admit that I have never had to kill anyone but I have a job where it is still a possibility that one day I might and I have had to fight for my life but thankfully back-up arrived and saved my ass. I have walked daily among some of the worst of society knowing there was a chance I would not go home again. It is a job not everyone would do and I am proud to do it.
You are also not the only one with a Politician in the family. I don't think I have told anyone here before but my wife was a cousin of a famous top level politician who has been mentioned in this thread several times. Her mother and him played together when they were children. Her family are big Democrats and she thought it was funny that she married me and turned Republican. Now, personally, I have never met the man but I can tell you that I would not believe him if he told me the house was on fire and he was standing there with a can of gas and a match. I don't think he could tell the truth no matter how inconvenient it was. Politicians would never lie or withhold the truth, would they?
Speaking of my wife, I lost her early last year after a five year battle with colon cancer. She was only 39. Now Ray, I understand you have some health issues. I know how hard that can be on your loved ones. One thing my wife never did was to take it out on the people who loved her. No matter how bad she felt she always had a smile. You would not believe how many people have told us that her attitude made a difference in their lives. She made it a point to feel good even when she was feeling bad and people really noticed. I get the feeling that you want everyone else to feel your pain and misery. I cannot say that I understand what you are going through but please understand how much your attitude affects those around you, especially your wife. I know your wife is a doctor and has lost patients but she has never lost you before. This is a whole different ballgame for her. My wife kept her hope until the end and I don't want you to give up either. Miracles happen so don't write yourself off yet.
Point is, LIFE SUCKS. Sometimes you get a good hand, sometimes you get a bad hand but you've got to play what you were dealt. The outcome of this election is very important and a very serious issue but that doesn't mean you have to take it so seriously. So lighten up Ray.
P.S. I'm sorry but I have to assume that if you received a PM to get off this site it's so you will stop embarrassing yourself with that defeatist attitude you have.