What keeps me going is:

-a sense of humor
-some bulldog tendencies inherited from my English grandfather
-the knowledge that I know I've made a difference, small though it be
-this website where I know I'm always surrounded by like-minded people
-coffee
-encouragement from my closet-liberal father (who knew? how could I have missed this for so many years?), a nephew-in-law, and a great sister
-time outs with my furpack of bouviers and other assorted pets
-being able to put my tinfoil hat away when "conspiracies" are confirmed to be the truth
-the occasional smug sense of satisfaction when a former disbeliever nods in agreement
-my Impeach Cheney baseball cap and the positive comments it draws
-I like the challenge
-the knowledge that this is just too important to let it rest
-the beauty of the Constitution and a sense of awe in its creation
-not being able to think of anything more important I could do with my life at this time, in the sense of the future, respect for the past, and the relevancy of the now
-a good night's rest and a nap when the mood hits

I get down about the whole mess, too. It seems sometimes like there's no progress being made, and I have to remind myself that progress has been made, if only from the general increase of awareness in We the People. You have done that, I have done that, and everyone here and at all the other progressive websites around have done that, and I have to believe that is no small task we have accomplished.

I know this is a well-used quote, but look at how far along the phrase we have come!

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

Seems to me, we're 3/4 of the way along.