"Finally, I'm frustrated by the attitude expressed that the crisis is causing these suicides. If that were true in any significant degree, I think that speaks of a deep sickness in this society. At the end of the day, we're talking about stuff. Houses, cars, etc. are only things after all."

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Indeed.

So sad to see the pathological lack of perspective that elevates these "things" to the same importance as one's own spirit. This has been going on a long time. Nothing like watching endless TV adverts to make the more spiritually empty feel insecure about themselves because they don't have the latest shiny new bauble or a nicer house than their neighbors.

Capitalism thrives on manufacturing insecurity.

Pity that the people suffering from all this have never managed to have something in their lives that is bigger than themselves. I would have thought, at least, that one's own family should be that, making those cases where suicides take out their spouses or families first particularly horrifying.

This is a crisis of spirit, of community and of perverted values, and to see people muder and/or kill themselves for this is the damn most tragic thing I have ever seen.

Al,

I know what happened, but it is important to understand why it happened, and what each of us can do to prevent it from happening again.

The approach to politics in this country has been very broken, for a very long time.

No doubt, a big part of the blame for this can be placed on the Politics of Division. What saddens me most is not that pols (and the GOP in particular) do this, it is that we were so EASY to divide.

We now have half the country at the throats of the other half.

In this day and age, the kinds of fractious tribalism we have seen should not have to happen. The solution is not to marginalize ordinary folks, but to engage them, and to get to know them as people. Do so while fearlessly living your values. The point is to reinforce the idea that we all depend on each other, whether we believe it or not.

It's very easy for liberals to circle the wagons and hang out in places like Salon. The real work is when you force yourself to seek out others who are not like you, and engage them respectfully. Doing this authentically requires a great deal of introspection and spiritual maturity. I am a work in progress, and it is still plenty hard for me to not have contempt for people (e.g. thoughtless "conservatives) who think differently than I, but the point is I know it, and desire to change that part of myself.

In some respects, moving from NYC to E. TN has immeasurably helped this transformation. Liberal NYC 'tude don't play too well in these parts, nor should it. Here, or anywhere. Too many of us liberals carry the so-called "stink of enlightment" which is very off-putting to others.

This country will heal one relationship at a time. It is up to us, if we want it to happen.

Now go and talk to your neighbor.

The things we have in common are stronger than the things that separate us.

I am an ex-NY'er who recently relocated to Upper East Tennessee. It was nice to see that most folks here are not, in fact, drooling maniacs. (Not that I ever thought that, or I would not have chosen to move here).

No matter what happens on Nov 4th, I intend to engage my neighbors and get to know them as human beings. Most, I think, are decent people and want to do the right thing. True, this is a very red, red state, and there are not a few who listen to entirely too much talk radio.

Just the same, however, there will be lots of hurt feelings and disappointment on Nov. 5th. Although I am a staunch flamo-liberal birthright Democrat, I will be sensitive to the feelings of my neighbors.

I get the feeling that Obama understands that this kind of healing must take place, and I trust that he will truly do his best to unite us, unlike the other "Uniter".

Politics, indeed, does bring out the worst in people. One way to neutralize the cancer of tribalism is to take the radical step of leaving our comfy little bubbles and start talking to people. Anyone. About anything. Be genuine, be respectful, and live your values. This is my hope.

May it be so.

I have worked in a similar trade in my life, and I never had time to get up a sweat with a morning workout- I was in my van and off to my first service call at 7:00 and home, dog-tired, at around 7:00 PM. Joe has some great boss, doesn't he?

-- JohnPotter

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Yeah, not only that, but it would tickle the hell out of me if it were revealed that JtP also has a history of hiring undocumented Mexican laborers at sub-competitive wages. Wouldn't that be sweet?

It's just not normal for people to live in a constant state of fear of and rage at their neighbors.

-- blunderdog

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It is, in fact, the raison d'etre of every AM Talk Radio mouthbreather junkie there is. They can't imagine being any other way. It's like a drug.

"This Texan is a prime example of what I mean. Do you hear the anger in his voice?"

-- ncbrian211

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Hunh??

Of course, I wasn't all that close with the HS bunch, anyway... the only reason I went at all was because one of my best friends would be coming in from afar, and we had not seen each other in years.

For me, money is better spent catching up with good friends separated by time and distance.

but in the end, he was a small, bitter, and cruel little queen. The world is better off without him.

Good riddance.