So the USA is turning into a fascist military dictatorship because of capitalism and misinformation campaigns swaying voters etc. etc. How do you (as a USian or not) view what is going to happen in the immediate-to-near future regarding civil liberties & disobedience, especially the current secret police and/or ICE (just getting a big, beautiful budget increase to unbeforeseen heights); and also thinking civil war and outside intervention?
For me, the current situation seems hopeless for the state. The bipartisan system is in its core a laughable excuse for an actual functioning democracy (then again are there any real democracies in the capitalist world?), as both parties are controlled by the same organizations and lobbyists, with governmental administration occasionally changing hands from one to the other only to unmake what little "progress" the currently "progressives" had made last time they were in the administration, forming but a pittance of what the people actually want. But the current administration seems to be too much akin to the Italian fascists or the German NSDAP of yore, and its attempts to control all media too see-through for some, who mostly seem to be in the bluer (richer and thus more better off) states. I think this stark divide between the population will be the force that rips the nation apart, as most people in the bluer more progressive states probably aren't as big on the secret police appearing unmarked and unannounced and armed, ready to take people away to concentration camps in undisclosed places in foreign nations in unmarked vans as the people of the redder and more conservative states seem to be.
So the question becomes how will the people react? Civil disobedience probably sounds nice right up until they start gunning those disobeying down, and deploying the National Guard and Marines against them (which I think might be unconstitutional there? not sure though because it happened already). The US Armed Forces apparently have 1.3 million active members (without a draft mind you) and even though there are people in this group who aren't as morally bankrupt as the administration is atm, I think they'd still have enough members positioned around the world in enough places that there isn't a single force in the world to oppose it willingly and easily. I bring this up because if (or when) push comes to shove and the civil disobedience in the blue states becomes too much for DJ Dump and his christofascist capitalism buddies, and they start driving their military might against their own people with increasing force, who will be there to come in to save the (non-militant minded) people? I think the US administration would consider this a declaration of war, and respond to it as such. So as I see it the US is on a surefire highway ~~to the danger zone~~ to Civil War part II: Electric Boogaloo, and in the end will either rip itself apart or pull the entirety of the western (NATO) countries to war with it. So thank god my country just got in! Wouldn't wanna miss this one, boys!
Anyway post your prophecies on the manifesting destiny of the US below, we'll eventually see who got it right.
I can assure you you aren't alone in this.
It seems in fact that your girlfriend is right there with you, but like it was already said here I feel you need to communicate it to her in a way that she actually understands that you are trying to limit your news intake because of your mental well-being. Maybe advice her for you and her to try to do it together or something? Like that neither of you would read as much (political/economical) news so that she wouldn't even feel the need to try to alleviate her panic by sharing it with you, as I'm assuming that's the reason she's sharing her panic with you. Then maybe try to spread this "ideology" of sorts to your immediate surroundings, if all you hear there as well is just the doom and gloom of late-stage capitalism. Rather talk about good things, like the inherent beauty of ever-present life if all else fails.
Things that have helped me in the past with my personal mental health problems was to not push myself too hard to achieve beyond my current capabilities. If you feel worn down by everyday life too much maybe you can reduce the amount of physical activity at the moment? Don't get me wrong running AND exercising 3 to 5 times a week is amazing, especially for a retired person and something I have never been able to achieve, but I still think it's worth making adjustments as needed. But that's up to you to decide if you feel that's something you want to keep up.
Another thing could be community work. Current situation in the world seems hopeless on a grander scheme, but I have personally found much joy in volunteer community work, in my immediate community. I don't know where you are or what is available to you, but I suggest looking into something like that.
And of course, as you know already, stop doomscrolling. I removed my social media accounts some time ago, but still find myself occasionally mindlessly scrolling the feeds on youtube and lemmy. Which is still just doomscrolling. The short-form video is one of the worst – if not straight-up the worst – drug I have ever tried (and I've tried several) for ease of relapse. Maybe look into private DNS providers and internet content blockers if you haven't already to help you with avoiding the shit that's out there.
I'm guessing there will be many people in the comments who share your predicament and will have other ways of alleviating, here are some of mine. Good luck!