Some - mostly Progressive - would call that our Good Economic Fortunes. In the United States, we've - mostly - be near the top of the ladder, when it comes to the way that our average citizens live.
Is EVERYONE rich?
Of course not. But, overall, the average American lives in comfortable, spacious housing, is fed lavishly in terms of calories (personal choices may make those low-quality calories), and is able to both avoid work for their entire childhood, and to retire at an age that will be followed by DECADES of leisure time.
Just how much extra money is available for individuals is, again, and individual decision, but almost everyone is provided for. Those who have no savings, and did not prepare well, may have to accept public housing assistance, or supplement their SS with food stamps, heating assistance, and Medicaid benefits. But, that's still living off the street, well-fed, and warm/cool, as needed.
We've had a long time of freedom. Able to travel freely on the roads and air, only needing a passport in the last few years for all international travel (both Mexico and Canada need passports now, as do the Caribbean islands that formerly had relaxed programs for day-trippers).
We had avoided the internal passport for in-country travel for most of my life. That's what the Covid passport amounts to (although I noted that my most recent trip back to SC did not involve showing my shot record - perhaps that's already on my Federal Record).
Theft and graft had usually been limited to the largest cities (run by Democrats), and very small towns (also, coincidentally, run by Democrats). In most of the USA, the police are helpful, the judiciary is fair, and most parts of government will be reasonable and work with you to achieve your aims.
Our life span had lengthened, so much so that we were forced to raise the age of retirement for full SS credits. Otherwise, the fund would run out of money (sooner).
No more. The extremely elderly, particularly those with 2 or more 'co-morbidities' (those conditions that can lead to an expensive and sick old age, and a shortened life) were the ones that died off from Covid.
Not the young (unless having other conditions).
Not the working-age population (unless having other conditions).
The old. Who, normally, would be retired, receiving SS benefits, and hanging around until their kids were near retirement age themselves.
In less than a century, medical advances, and the willingness of insurance companies to pay for them, had extended elderly lives an average of 10-20 years past previous life expectancies.
Like a lot of people, I do suspect that is why measures were taken during the Covid epidemic that seemed counter-intuitive to a goal of reducing the impact of the illness, and minimizing the damage of the disease.
Like many, I do question the utility of forcing those admitted to go on ventilators. That practice is strongly corelated with rising risk of dying.
Like many, I do question the wisdom of forcing younger Americans to 'take the shot' to be able to attend school.
Like many, I think the absolute panic of many teachers and staff in schools is unwarranted. Those at high risk could be encouraged to retire, if near enough to that age. Others, such as pregnant women could be given an extended period of leave. Both practices would go a long way to minimize risk.
I'm nearly 71 years old. While I'm looking forward to a long life, I would rather take a risk on dying sooner, rather than destroy the economy, imprison the young, and subject couples to the risk of infertility/birth defects caused by Covid serums.
12/30/2021 - 8:44 am
I'm reviewing this future post while also watching the Victor Davis Hanson interview on Breitbart. In it, he makes a point that is related to one that I've posted about before - that the USA of current manifestation is returning to a Plantation-type economy and social structure - racialist, with no middle class, and few inalienable rights for the average inhabitant.
The biggest change, and the one that bodes ill for American citizens, is the drive to eliminate the distinction between residents - whether illegal or legal - and citizens. If there is no EFFECTIVE difference, we - the citizens of this country - could end up being ruled by colonists in our own land.
It's not that we are anti-immigrant. I don't know any American, no matter how long in this country, who does not tear up at the videos of citizenship ceremonies.
It's not that we are anti-POC (People of Color).
It's not that we are hostile to those with different cultures, religions, languages.
It's just that we are resistant to those who would discriminate against US for our language, our culture, our race, our religion.
They would have us without the right to keep our own traditions, and have them respected.
They would have us treated as though we are innately stupid, easily led by others, and use our religion to force others to comply with the rules of our beliefs. They would treat us as credulous children, incapable of managing our own lives, needing to be told how to act, what to do, how we may travel, and what we may buy.
Children. And, not-very-bright children, at that.
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