r/politics • u/theindependentonline The Independent • 2d ago

‘Exhausted’ Americans are tuning out politics, according to TV ratings and new poll

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/ap-poll-americans-exhausted-politics-b2670238.html
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u/ConsciousReason7709 Nevada 2d ago

I know that I’m sick of politics. I keep up with it because I feel that it’s important, but after spending years telling people how worthless Trump and Republicans are and then seeing America elect them again, I’m just at the point where I’m almost done with it all.

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u/Spiritual_Bug6414 2d ago

I spent 4 years keeping up with his insanity last time. Every day it was something horrible. And just nobody seemed to give a shit. I can’t deal with another four years of that, I’ll keep up somewhat but I’m tuned out more than in at this point

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u/ConsciousReason7709 Nevada 2d ago

I mean, I’ll still vote whenever I can, but I just don’t have the power, influence, or money to make a difference outside of that. That’s why I’m not going to get pissed off at every little Trump atrocity like I did the first time.

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u/Spiritual_Bug6414 1d ago

It’s just not healthy to torture yourself like that. At least I learned something from the last time.

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u/Dariath 1d ago

Same boat for me. I’m already exhausted thinking about the mental toll it’s gonna take. I remember watching him screw over the Kurds and wonder why no one else was livid like me.

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u/Spiritual_Bug6414 1d ago

To be fair doubt many people knew who the Kurds were at the time it happened

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u/_DCtheTall_ 1d ago

If it helps, creating fatigue over the news is straight out of the authoritarian playbook. I know it is hard, but by staying informed and seeking info from many different ethical sources, you are actively resisting authoritarianism even in that small way.

Stay strong! Do not let them make us stop paying attention. We are in this!

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u/Significant_Banana35 2d ago edited 2d ago

I‘m feeling you. But please don’t give up, it‘s so important to stay informed these days, closing your eyes won’t help anyone. It’s this vicious circle of lethargy/apathy that made Trump even possible. I also need some breaks from news as so much crazy stuff is happening, but that makes it even more important to realize what is happening. Meaning, take breaks when you need it, but please don’t shut your eyes completely, this makes it only easier for people like Trump to succeed. All the best!

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u/ConsciousReason7709 Nevada 1d ago

I’ll still vote, but keeping up with all of Trump‘s bullshit just makes me angry and life is too short to be pissed off all the time. My vote is the only power I really have.

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u/Significant_Banana35 1d ago

I‘m so sorry you feel this way, seriously. And again, I really feel why you currently think it’s hopeless and that you have no power to change things. But let me tell you two points:

  1. It is not even clear now if you will be ever able to vote again in the future if this totalitarian government continues.

  2. Which makes it even more important to not give up. Again, I completely understand that from your perspective now this seems to be easier said than done. Take a break from news if you feel like it, that’s completely understandable, even rational to not get caught in despair.

But even the smallest actions can make a difference. For example educating family, friends, or even internet strangers about what’s happening. Even if it just reaches one person, if it reaches the right person, it can make a difference. If everyone with the right mindset can even only reach one person to reconsider theirs, imagine what an effect this has overall.

Take a break. Focus on what’s good for you. But please don’t give up!

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u/montty712 7h ago

You make some good points.

I think there will be elections, but they will be sham elections. Not only do authoritarians not give up power willingly, they also do everything possible to ensure they “win” any elections that are held.

During the first term, when the 🍊💩 had not expected to win, he and his criminal gang were cautious. Now there will be no advisors that are loyal to the constitution as during the first time. He knows his time is short and so he will be extremely aggressive, especially because he has learned that there are no consequences.

There are no Republicans left and elected office with both a conscience and cojones. They fear a primary more than the end of democracy in the US.

In January, the US enters its post constitutional phase. Without widespread armed resistance it will come to resemble Putin‘s Russia.

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u/montty712 1d ago

No, it is not important to be informed. America flunked a very important test on November 5. An authoritarian regime will take office in January. The authoritarian do not surrender power peacefully. That’s all we need to know. The rest is noise. Call me when the armed revolt starts.. if there is no armed revolt, then democracy will not be restored.

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u/Significant_Banana35 1d ago

See my newer answer to this guy. I realize the media in the US is lying to you people and other stuff you just wrote.

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u/Ok-Arugula687 1d ago

Challenge and reject the assumption that tuning out #MSM is tuning out politics.

Sounds like someone wants to sell our attention to advertisers, doesn't it?

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u/Significant_Banana35 1d ago

I am very well aware of how the media is acting in the US if you mean that. Very aware and it’s a shame. But that guy here seems to be tuning out of politics at all, which is just a win for those same people who control the media there.

(Sorry I’m tired and not native speaker, so if I got anything wrong about your comment please just explain…)

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u/bergskey 1d ago

Closing my eyes absolutely helps me and my family. We still vote every time we can and make informed decisions, but my home life has been so much better since we stopped following all the insanity. We can't change it, we can't fix it, so why torture ourselves? I hop on here once a day, read headlines, check comments, read or Google an article if I feel I need to. But it's typically less than 10 minutes a day. My husband has checked out 100% from it, that's best for him. Every morning I click on the local news broadcast from 30 minutes prior, fast forward to the weather, and then shut it off. I can't do another 4+ years of this so I'm checking out.

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u/Significant_Banana35 1d ago

Great that it’s helping your family, but the rest of the world is effing mad how you let all this happen and even don’t care if it cause more wars - thanks for that, sincerely, the rest of the world

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u/bergskey 1d ago

I didn't let any of this happen. I voted, I drove people to the polls, I got people I know registered and made sure they went to vote. I have zero control if Trump starts more wars. Wtf do you expect me to do? I marched when they took away my daughters rights, it didn't do shit. The only thing I can do is vote, which i do, every single time.

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u/jehusaphet 1d ago

I disagree very strongly. I think the opposite is the case - Trump was possible because Americans have become far too obsessed and emotionally invested in politics, to an unhealthy degree. Building Trump up into an existential threat to American government is precisely one of the reasons that he caught on to the degree he did. A good dose of apathy would go a long way towards curing some of our collective ills.

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u/thex415 1d ago

I know how you feel. I just now have to do the patient waiting game to see how the promises Trump said he’d do , he won’t accomplish.

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u/ChocolateHoneycomb 2d ago

I imagine seeing your state go red must have been depressing.

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u/ConsciousReason7709 Nevada 1d ago

Democrats have won most statewide elections here in Nevada over the last several years, but it’s always razor thin. It didn’t really surprise me that Trump finally won Nevada. To be honest, the population centers here aren’t exactly full of informed and educated people. 😢