1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $-2x - 2 - 2 - 2x - 8$. 2. **Combine like terms:** Group the terms with $x$ and the constant terms separately. 3. The terms with $x$ are $-2x$ and $-2x$, so add them: $$-2x - 2x = -4x$$ 4. The constant terms are $-2$, $-2$, and $-8$, so add them: $$-2 - 2 - 8 = -12$$ 5. **Write the simplified expression:** $$-4x - 12$$ 6. This is the simplified form of the original expression. **Final answer:** $-4x - 12$