How will you optimize your personal mental health if "the other guy" wins the election?

[myoglobin]

Thus, if you support Trump and Biden wins or if you support Biden and Trump wins? What approaches will you consider implementing to minimize your feelings of disappointment, sadness and maximize positive relations with coworkers, patients, and others that you come into contact with? Personally, I plan to focus more "on my own life" but also look for opportunities to become more socially and perhaps politically active in the causes that I believe to be important.  Does anyone have any other "tips" on how to handle these situations for better personal mental health and more harmonious relationships?

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

2 hours ago, toomuchbaloney said:

Perhaps you should review your posts across the platform...yes you've mentioned your income several times. 

Your assumptions about me say something about you but have nothing to do with me.  How do you know anything about my insurance, income or debt/asset status? 

How could Trump break our republic? Do you want a reading list? Do you think our republic is unbreakable or are you simply ignoring his efforts?

I believe that Trump's administration has done more positive good for this nation that Reagon's and Clinton administration combined (obviously I am going back a good ways here, but in general I supported most aspects of both administrations).  As a conservative he has somewhat slowed our progression in terms of loss of national sovereignty. He supported economic policies that helped reduce income disparities and helped (pre covid) minorities to make the greatest income gains in the last 40 years. He protected the rights of the unborn. He stood up against the greatest threat to freedom in modern world the Chinese government. He opposed the economically ruinous Paris accords. He stood by Second Amendment gun rights. He corrected some of the federal laws that placed too many minorities behind bars unfairly. He funded historically black colleges. He oversaw economic policies that led to good to great economic growth. The wealth income gap closed more than it ever did under Bush or Obama. He kept us out of endless Mid East wars where we have little business in most cases. He facilitated some peace deals between Israel and some of her neighbors. Yes, I believe he was one of our greatest Presidents, but he is out of options. Biden is the new man on the block. Also I presume nothing about your situation. 

My income was referenced on the NP forum as encouragement to others that it is possible to get decent employment as an NP and to encourage NP's to form their own groups (even in non IP states).  I always try to encourage others even those like yourself who seem to dislike me and those of my political bent. I truly wish you the best (and our new President). Although, I disagree with yours (and his) politics I believe that you are probably a wonderful person and truly desire that you lead the happiest best life possible (I feel the same about our new President, but I like you a good deal more as you are also a nurse).

[toomuchbaloney]

57 minutes ago, myoglobin said:

I believe that Trump's administration has done more positive good for this nation that Reagon's and Clinton administration combined (obviously I am going back a good ways here, but in general I supported most aspects of both administrations).  As a conservative he has somewhat slowed our progression in terms of loss of national sovereignty. He supported economic policies that helped reduce income disparities and helped (pre covid) minorities to make the greatest income gains in the last 40 years. He protected the rights of the unborn. He stood up against the greatest threat to freedom in modern world the Chinese government. He opposed the economically ruinous Paris accords. He stood by Second Amendment gun rights. He corrected some of the federal laws that placed too many minorities behind bars unfairly. He funded historically black colleges. He oversaw economic policies that led to good to great economic growth. The wealth income gap closed more than it ever did under Bush or Obama. He kept us out of endless Mid East wars where we have little business in most cases. He facilitated some peace deals between Israel and some of her neighbors. Yes, I believe he was one of our greatest Presidents, but he is out of options. Biden is the new man on the block. Also I presume nothing about your situation. 

My income was referenced on the NP forum as encouragement to others that it is possible to get decent employment as an NP and to encourage NP's to form their own groups (even in non IP states).  I always try to encourage others even those like yourself who seem to dislike me and those of my political bent. I truly wish you the best (and our new President). Although, I disagree with yours (and his) politics I believe that you are probably a wonderful person and truly desire that you lead the happiest best life possible (I feel the same about our new President, but I like you a good deal more as you are also a nurse).

This quoted comment is largely based in faith rather than fact. You believe these things. Most of it is subjective and emotional rather than factual. 

Take the bolded comment for instance...it's baloney.  

https://www.investopedia.com/nobel-winner-joseph-stiglitz-on-income-inequality-after-covid-19-4843052

https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2020/01/09/trends-in-income-and-wealth-inequality/

You should review your remarks, you've presumed much.  You think I dislike you.  I don't know you, I respond to your comments and share facts and evidence to counter your fears and foggy understanding of some topics.  It's nice that you think you might like me, I don't think you would actually.  I have expectations and I can be blunt when they aren't met. I expect professionals to be able to vet information and discern truths from messaging.  I expect them to be capable of thinking critically and logically through a multifaceted problem.  I expect professionals to examine facts and evidence and then respond to them, not completely ignore them, repeat the disproved beliefs over and over, and behave as if that is customary or normal behavior for a health professional. 

There's that word again, "normal". 

These are abnormal times.  The USA is experiencing a pandemic and a direct threat to our democratic republic at the same time.  An alarmingly large segment of the population has decided to ignore public health mitigation strategies and/or support the overthrow of the legitimately elected president...at least they believe the excuse for the overthrow. Health professionals are advocating that we listen to people who are practicing outside of their licensing standards.  

Does this seem normal to you?

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

Not normal but wonderful all the same. Overall poverty is lower than it has ever been. Life expectancy is longer even with covid  . We live on the precipice of a Star Trek like future where the convergence of technologies such as nuclear fusion, nanotechnology, quantum computers and AI may yet herald a golden age beyond comprehension. True, we may lean towards oblivion but the hopeful promise of a better tomorrow is equally possible. I like Trump but he has played all of his cards and rightly or wrongly he will ride off at least for four years.  Perhaps then we will all behold a pale horse upon which an orange haired rider might approach. In any case I am grateful to live in a nation where moving to Wyoming remains an option. Also, I don’t believe I’ve ever met a nurse I didn’t like not even my first ICU preceptor who said I was “too ADHD” to work there.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

15 hours ago, myoglobin said:

Where else in this thread did I mention my income? Maybe, if you had survived without health insurance for over a decade and owed 160K in student loans and had assets worth $0, you might be somewhat happy about seeing an increase in your income as well.  In any case it is something I am thankful for. Also, the only person who needs to benefit from this advice is me. It is unlikely that all of these things would apply for other Trump supporters but some of the general principles might (focus on things in your own life that you are grateful for).  How wil lTrump "break" our Republic? If he has the power to somehow hold on to power then please tell me how as it would also be something that I would add to my list as things that would make me and other Trump supporters quite happy. The way I see it he is out of options and Biden will be our new President.  

a. Focus on your own world more than the world at large. Personally, I have some reasons to be happy. My personal income has gone from around 60K under Trump to around 300K now so that's something. My significant others income is on tract to go from around 150K to around 350K

This is where you mentioned your income.  AND you also mentioned that you have no health insurance and are $150,000 in student debt.  Something is awry here.  You could certainly afford Obamacare  and be out of debt in a few years.  And your significant other is on TRACK to more than double their income.

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

The Bronz plan would run 1400 for my family with about 10k deductible. I also owe 40k in credit cards that I’m trying to pay first. Also paying sons college so he does not go in to debt like me. Also no  IRA and do not own a vehicle but my SO lets me drive hers. I do own my PS4, some clothes and computer. We also rent. I am giving her about 4K per month to help with expenses.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

On 12/16/2020 at 6:59 PM, myoglobin said:

Well it turns out for me the answer seems to be buying a whole bunch of ammo, AR10's, AR 15's, and planning to move to Wyoming (in a rural area), learn how to hunt Elk, live off the land and starting my own business. Now if the Republicans end up holding at least one of the Georgia Senate seats perhaps I'll renew the Disney passes instead and buy a PS5.  

Have you been to Wyoming? I lived next door in Idaho for seven years, and the locals describe the weather as "9 months of Winter and 3 months of damn poor snowmobiling". And the skeeters are the size of small birds. 

 

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

11 minutes ago, nursej22 said:

Have you been to Wyoming? I lived next door in Idaho for seven years, and the locals describe the weather as "9 months of Winter and 3 months of damn poor snowmobiling". And the skeeters are the size of small birds. 

 

I didn't say it would be easy, happy, or pleasurable but all of the "nice" states are not conservative (or do not have IP practice for NP's). I am prepared for a life of severe austerity if it means keeping more of my freedoms (and who knows it may not since who is to say that Wyoming won't enforce federal laws just as aggressively as Florida or California that I fear are forthcoming). 

[toomuchbaloney]

42 minutes ago, nursej22 said:

Have you been to Wyoming? I lived next door in Idaho for seven years, and the locals describe the weather as "9 months of Winter and 3 months of damn poor snowmobiling". And the skeeters are the size of small birds. 

 

It sounds like he's never been there...

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

1 minute ago, toomuchbaloney said:

It sounds like he's never been there...

I visited Devil's Tower as a kid and I drove through on my way to Washington state (when I thought I would be leaving my family to live there pre covid in my SO's 10 year old "second" van).  It was cold and I remember one place called Elk Mountain where I got out to buy gas and there was 70mph winds.  The price for my guns, keeping my ability to go to church in person, and avoid a work mandated covid vaccine might be high indeed. Still, it would be nice to be "the most left wing guy around" for a change. In my rural Indiana home I was taunted in school for being a "gay socialist" (I was neither, but my low level autism/ADHD and tendency to try to clarify arguments from multiple perspectives may have come off that way to some. Perhaps there was some merit as I did support Mike Dukakis before going more to the right, but I was never past center left).  It is cold there though. My SO prefers Idaho, (she is well to the right of me), but with my debt saving the 5% Idaho income tax would make a real difference and maybe help me make a dent sooner. 

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

2 minutes ago, myoglobin said:

I visited Devil's Tower as a kid and I drove through on my way to Washington state (when I thought I would be leaving my family to live there pre covid in my SO's 10 year old "second" van).  It was cold and I remember one place called Elk Mountain where I got out to buy gas and there was 70mph winds.  The price for my guns, keeping my ability to go to church in person, and avoid a work mandated covid vaccine might be high indeed. Still, it would be nice to be "the most left wing guy around" for a change. In my rural Indiana home I was taunted in school for being a "gay socialist" (I was neither, but my low level autism/ADHD and tendency to try to clarify arguments from multiple perspectives may have come off that way to some. Perhaps there was some merit as I did support Mike Dukakis before going more to the right, but I was never past center left).  It is cold there though. My SO prefers Idaho, (she is well to the right of me), but with my debt saving the 5% Idaho income tax would make a real difference and maybe help me make a dent sooner. 

Also there is not guarantee that Wyoming would be any different. Maybe they would enforce any forthcoming Federal laws just as aggressively as Florida or Wyoming. Maybe, I would arrive only to learn in a year or two that I would need to trade the guns in for bolt action rifles or shotguns, and still be required to take a shot if I want to have a business license and see clients in person (as is required on the first visit under the Ryan H act for controlled medicines, now currently suspended for Covid).  Maybe, I would face all the same consequences and just be colder only without Disney World, Universal Studios, the beach, or my beloved Give Kids the Worlld. and remember back to when my goal was to move to Hawaii (back before the world moved on) and be even more sad.   

[MunoRN, RN]

4 hours ago, myoglobin said:

The Bronz plan would run 1400 for my family with about 10k deductible. I also owe 40k in credit cards that I’m trying to pay first. Also paying sons college so he does not go in to debt like me. Also no  IRA and do not own a vehicle but my SO lets me drive hers. I do own my PS4, some clothes and computer. We also rent. I am giving her about 4K per month to help with expenses.

My employer-provided insurance is about $1800 a month, albeit with a lower deductible, which is within the average range for such a plan.

Part of the reason plans cost this much is that I'm carrying the cost of your risk as well as mine, which is frustrating given that you make far more than I do.

[myoglobin, ASN, BSN, MSN]

1 minute ago, MunoRN said:

My employer-provided insurance is about $1800 a month, albeit with a lower deductible, which is within the average range for such a plan.

Part of the reason plans cost this much is that I'm carrying the cost of your risk as well as mine, which is frustrating given that you make far more than I do.

How are you carrying my risk? I had to pay the "penalty" of $1600.00 per year for the past three years (should be done now another reason I'm grateful to Trump and I paid that when I was making about 60K).  Plus, I've got a DNR on file which is as close to a "do not treat" as I can make it. I use CAM approaches and if I get the "big C" or an MI I desire nothing more than a bullet in the head or perhaps some fentayl if I lose my nerve.  I do seek health insurance, but there are lots of factors. My SO of 25 years and I had a "ceremony" but are not legally married and if we tried to get a "Bronze plan" I'm not sure we could and we have never discussed (our marriage status) with our son (now in college) and my SO isn't interested in changing that legal status. Thus there are several issues at play. Also, I've had decent health until now (save for my two Covid run ins that were thankfully low level although the "pink eye" aspect sucked) and feel I have a decent shot at surviving until I'm eligible for Medicare (if I cannot afford something before then).  Wow, I need to refocus, my "positive" psychology self talk has spiraled and is not producing the intended outcome.  Hopefully, I can do better with my clients.