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Our industries are leaving China, people are moving around, spreading their wealth out of the big cities, lots of jobs are there for anyone who wants them, the interest rates are extremely low, and everything else looks to be pretty bright after Covid finally quits stomping all over us.
We are all very impatient now for Covid to end. I think it has us all in a perpetual state of nagging anxiety, but Covid will leave eventually, and take much of our anger at each other with it when it goes.
To me, it feels like we are standing precariously on the edge, or perhaps we have stepped off into the void already.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kanonka
In just 5 years you would think of today as of "golden age"... Printed trillions don't disappear in the air. And there is way more printing down the road.
The United States is closer to the edge than most people realize. The moment we can no longer run $800 billion a year trade deficits, things will go downhill in a hurry.
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Originally Posted by elvis44102
If we ever have a catastrophic event these weak political biases will disappear and the country will unify.
It depends what the catastrophic event is. Certain catastrophic events could create more division.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdaelectro
Morally and Spiritually, man is still the same.
Not exactly. Morals vary dramatically across space and time. Religion as well.
In America today, half the country believes we are becoming more moral, and the other half believes we are becoming less moral. Who is right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by UrbanQuest
The only thing that’s significant and different going on right now is the perceived demographic transition unfolding.
I don't think demographic change is the cause of the problem. I think demographic change is a pressure point that throws off the balance of the system.
Democracy has traditionally been whoever has the most money wins the election. The democracy of money.
The problem with demographic change, is that it allows a relatively small amount of money to exert extreme political influence and win elections.
To me, it feels like we are standing precariously on the edge, or perhaps we have stepped off into the void already.
We have. Modern industrial civilization is in the earliest stages of collapse, but few people have figured it out and fewer still have the courage to accept it.
Really. The bad times were over when my city lifted its mask mandate in April 2021. Now the unemployment rate is 1.3%, probably the lowest ever. So, what Dreaded Bad Times? I just wonder and worry about what the next bad times will be like.
I suspect it is mainly posters living in Blue States, like Andywire, who wonder if we're living in bad times.
I'm not sure where all this doom and gloom is coming from. I was promoted this last year with corresponding salary increase and went in on a rental property toward the end of 2021. I track my monthly expenses meticulously and haven't seen an in monthly fuel or groceries prices, and I have yet to see any supply chain issues in any of my stores. Admittedly I WFH and don't order a whole lot of things online, but overall my balance sheet is very healthy.
401(k) and stock investments are still doing fine and I'm happy with the gains of last year.
Democrats during Trump wanted gloom and doom upon the economy to increase the likelihood of getting a Democrat back into the White House in 2020. Now it's time for Republicans to wish the same to get a Republican back into the White House in 2024. And to regain control of Congress in 2022.
I observe closely around me, I don't see these "empty Soviet Union-style groceries" that everyone is talking about. Walking around my neighborhood, things seem much the same way, with construction continuing to go up in my vicinity, and strangers are cordial to one another.
What should I be paying attention to, the sensationalist media?
Same here. New housing construction going on here, though with electricians saying they are sometimes having trouble finding what they need.
Up until it can't. And then you go from first world problems of the drive-thru line at the Starbucks being too long and impeding one's ability to get a grande frappucino to actual problems. I'll let you in on a secret about first world problems. They're not actually problems.
Have more faith in the power of capitalism. The problem of the drive through line being too long in my town was finally solved by the opening of a new one on the other side of town along with the grand opening of Dutch Bros. Now if the power of capitalism would open a new Taco Bell on the other side of town, that would help, too.
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