This guy is not a psychopath, but he/she is definitely sociopathic - no conscience, no compassion. A cat shitting in your yard makes you want to kill it? Have you thought about getting your precious brats to clean the yard *before* they play in the yard? Or might that be an inconvenience for them? My neighbors' puppy gets into my yard every once in a while and does her business. So what? I clean it up. Get a life LW and be grateful that this is the biggest thing you have to whine about.

I live our great Nation's capital and ride the metrorail to work each day. I used to tolerate the loud cellphone talkers on the train while I was trying to read my newspaper, rude people who never said thank you when I held the door open for them and then I tried sarcasm and it works most of the time. When a loud cellphone talker answers his/her phone loudly, I yell "hellllooooo". Same thing in a restaurant. It works! People need to be shamed into realizing that they're being inappropriate. When I hold the elevator door open for the managing partner of the firm and he doesn't thank me, I say very loudly "you're most welcome, Sir". When people get into the "express lane/15 items only" at the grocery store and their carts are piled high, I approach them, point up to the sign and read it to them very slowly. Perhaps I'm destroying what little good karma I have left, but it feels good and empowering.

I'm sure glad that Congress and right wing groups spend so much time and energy on not allowing gays (many of whom have been together for decades) to marry and mercenaries such as the LW get to marry for money. Love, family values? Has the LW thought about getting a loan to start her business?

<<The actual day-to-day life of most people in America does not change much no matter who is president.>> Just an observation, but my experience of your statement is the total opposite. I immigrated to the U.S. 25 years ago and this country has changed enormously in the last 5 years with changes that do impact my day to day experience. I'm not prone to paranoia or conspiracy theories, but illegal wiretapping? I came from a country that was a police state and whilst this country is not there (yet), this is the beginning. Already the media is practicing self-censorship. Stephen Colbert is being accused of being "rude" and "bullying" because he pointed out in the emperor's presence that the emperor has no clothes. A war based on lies that is draining our economy (and if you don't think that this will impact you or your kids in a few years, good luck). I can only assume that you either drive a hybrid or ride a bike everywhere if you haven't noticed the gas prices.

that the letter writer is referring to Tom Cruise? Just a-wonderin'.

I write that with tongue in cheek, but seriously, my parents are pretty much like the LW's, except that my dad is a dry drunk. My parents are extremely wealthy and have chosen not to share their wealth with us, which is their prerogative, since it's their money. We don't ask and they don't give and we were taught that at a very early age. Several years ago, I asked my mother if she had any regrets in her life to which she responded "yes, having children." While it may sound like a hurtful comment, her comment was actually liberating. Finally, all the feelings of unwantedness I had as a kid, now made sense. No wonder they spent as little time with us as they could. I've had just one conversation with my parents concerning the fact that they're retired and do little except watch TV (Fox News). I've encouraged them to take classes (I paid for tai chi lesssons for them), get involved in volunteering, to no avail. I needed to have that conversation more for myself and was glad I did, even though outwardly it accomplished nothing. I would say to the LW what I have attempted to do is to live a life the opposite of my parents, to be vulnerable, curious, and to give away as much as I can afford without putting myself into the poorhouse. Have compassion for your parents, for their loneliness and possible lack of purpose, but put your energy into your own life, your family and doing good things in this world. Good luck.

I'm 48 years old, childless by choice, although a "mother" to 2 geriatric cats. I don't know what it's like to be up all night with a sick child, or to help another woman bring life to this world, but I am so grateful for people such as yourself. I take public transportation to and from work each day and I watch in awe of how patient parents are with their whiny, cranky kids. Forget the gurus - people like Jane Doe are the embodiment of compassion, humanity and make this world a softer place. Namaste.

Did you see the word "smitten" in the LW's posting? Gee, maybe I'm just a narrow minded picky person, or I live a very sheltered life, but I've never felt "smitten" about a friend. But that's just me.