I used to be politically intrigued. I would watch news programs most nights, and listen to talk radio most days. I sometimes wrote letters, made phone calls, and attended meetings and rallies.
As a Libertarian, I am socially left, fiscally right. I feel the government should be small and stay out of our lives.
After years of watching the government and legislators do so much wrong (in my opinion), I found I had two choices. I could continue to frustrate myself by banging my head ever harder against that wall, or I could change my own focus.
So a couple years ago, I quit watching the news (and haven't thrown anything at the TV since). I disconnected with all political activities, spending more time with family and friends. Instead of talk radio at work, I listen to audio books.
I may not be changing the world as I would like to, but I have changed myself. I am happier and more rounded as a person. I don't care about the latest scandals. I ignore the latest votes on bills before Congress. I still have the same beliefs, I just understand how little my actions can change the system, so I focus on improving myself.
BTW, the straw that broke my back was the Supreme Court decision that said personal property could be taken for the "public good". There is no way our founding fathers would agree that your family house can be taken to build a shopping mall or another by-way.
Welcome to Um! a thread Pop started 
