Comfort for the World-Weary

The election is a mere week away and it seems to be bringing out the worst in people. Palin in a noose as part of a Halloween display? A plot to assassinate Obama? It’s terrifying, regardless of what side of the coin you’re on. How, exactly, did things go so awry? It seems the proverbial you-know-what has hit the you-know-what.

I’ve always been interested in the goings-on of the government, but I’ve never felt so deeply invested in what’s been happening in our country than I do right now. And the hits just keep on coming.

There’s the economy, of course. Though it pains me to say it, I don’t quite get exactly what’s happening and what the implications are on our future stability. When things are sailing smoothly, this stereotypical aversion anything associated with numbers is merely my Achilles Heel. When things are decidedly not OK, like now, you might as well be telling me the four horsemen of the apocalypse just galloped down Wall Street. I’ll believe you. By its very nature, the stock market already seemed to me like unnecessary chaos—like going surfing during a hurricane on purpose—but I always assumed that people who weren’t me had things fairly under control. Now, the thought of a bunch of suits running around wringing their hands is maddening.

So that’s the biggie. But, you know, besides that, just the daily reminder of the ignorance, intolerance and outright bigotry that still exists here is enough to make me feel completely unglued. Maybe I shouldn’t let it affect me so viscerally, but I can’t help it.

It’s not that surprising that a recession can have a significant impact on your mental health. A recent article on the Web site for ABC News talks about this very thing (Others feel the same way as I do? I feel better already).