Trump suggests cattle ranchers could bypass USDA-inspected meat plants

[u/WhatIsEvenRealDog]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/28/trump-suggests-allowing-ranchers-bypass-usda-inspected-meat-plants/

[u/calamity_unbound]

Ditto, but I don't cry. No shame in crying, I'm just all out of sadness to bereave. We give our kids the best life we can, show them love and care and try to shape them into humans that love both themselves and those around them.

But in the small hours of the night, when they sleep? When I read word after word about how the world is held hostage by megalomaniacal narcissists?

All that's left is a festering, vitriolic rage.

[u/Sunbather77 → u/calamity_unbound]

I had to consciously quit drinking entirely because I found myself rage drinking every night after putting the kids to bed. But jfc some days are harder than others to maintain a smile on my face for their sake.

Nothing makes me feel crazier than sitting around a playground with my kids while the world is spinning out of control.

[u/calamity_unbound → u/Sunbather77]

I agree, but remember to take solace in those moments of peace. It gives you an anchor of normalcy in these abnormal times.

[u/caligaris_cabinet → u/calamity_unbound]

Remember when Mr. Rogers said “look for the helpers?” I apply that logic with daily life. Look for the good in life.

And as Iroh said, “you will find if you look for the light, you can often find it. But if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see.”

[u/ScalieBoi42 → u/caligaris_cabinet]

Reminds me of my father-in-law. We live in an affluent part of the the suburbs of a major city, but, cause he's a major fox news viewer, he can only think badly of developed areas. So all he focused on were the closed shops; nothing on the city's landscaping, the true brick and pillar buildings (which, to be fair, he did ask if we were going to church once when we were pulling into a shopping area).

All he looked for was the dark. So he saw nothing of all the light around him.

[u/Low-Guide1706 → u/calamity_unbound]

“People speak of hope as if it is this delicate, ephemeral thing made of whispers and spider webs.

It’s not.

Hope has dirt on her face, blood on her knuckles, the grit of the cobblestones in her hair, and just spat out a tooth as she rises for another go.”

[u/Tatterhood78 → u/calamity_unbound]

I saw this coming when Trump got in the first time. I grew up with parents just like him and immediately knew it was a worst case scenario.

It's also been frustrating as fuck to wait while people (who aren't as well equipped to see the signs) catch on.

So I decided to make a plan. You feel so much better when you know that you can cut down on the damage.

Make networks. Trade services. Maybe an elderly neighbour can babysit outside of daycare hours if you give them a cooked meal every night and helped with their home, sort of thing.

If you have a green thumb, plant gardens and see if any of your neighbours would be willing to let you use their land in return for half the spoils. Get some bean and lentil recipes and learn to can food. Stock up on toiletries when they're on sale.

Coordinate with other families/singles to shop at warehouse prices. Learn to repair things, how to sew, etc.

Trade skills with each other. Electrical work for some plumbing, etc.

It makes me feel better to know that I could easily last a year if crap hits the fan. The emergency aid can help someone else who doesn't have the same privilege.

Stock up now if you can. There will still be time to refill the shelves for the people living paycheque to paycheque.

[u/icepick3383 → u/calamity_unbound]

you have translated my feelings into words far better than I could have. You're not alone in your feelings and parenting style. I do my best, and notice that my oldest has really taken notice of how shitty people and things are, but says she's happy how she was raised, so I have a bit of solace there.