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Old 05-09-2020, 04:11 PM   #1
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Default "What if this is as good as it gets?"

A philosophical rather than political discussion. I don't intend this politically. I'm interested in how people are thinking about their personal past and future right now.

Remember the movie where Jack Nicholson goes to his psychiatrist's office, sees all the depressed people in the waiting room, and asks, "What if this is as good as it gets?"

I've been wondering that recently. We have four events right now that were unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago: a climate crisis, the Trump phenomenon, the pandemic, and now an economic crash that economists are calling worse than the Great Depression. That's a heck of a lot to deal with all at once, especially if you're in your last quarter of life.

I've been wondering if maybe the best parts of my life are behind me, and the future could be just a battle for survival against these events over which we have so little individual control. That's sort of a bleak thought. It doesn't jive with the American retirement dream . . . which had already disappeared for a lot of people well before the pandemic.

What do you predict for your future?
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Old 05-09-2020, 04:38 PM   #2
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My wife and I are both retired and we usually went out to eat 3 to 4 times a week before the lock down. When it was just the two of us we usually try and find a spot at the bar and mingle with other guests. It's going to take quite a while for us to feel comfortable in that kind of setting even if guidelines are relaxed.
I think we will go out but we will probably dine in private at a table or with guests we know personally. It's not going to be a normal summer but at my age I don't want it to be a lost summer. We will try and make the best of it!
We have already had a summer full of functions canceled which includes weddings, showers, concerts, and reunions.
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Old 05-09-2020, 05:32 PM   #3
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What do you predict for your future?
This too shall pass.

Once a vaccine is developed we'll all get it and move on.

Sort of like when the docs knocked out polio and TB via inoculation.

Until then, we're all limited as to what we can do and where we can do it, obviously.

The two things I miss most now are working out daily at the health club and casino gambling.

Like they say: "It could be worse."
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Old 05-09-2020, 05:38 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by SailinAway View Post
A philosophical rather than political discussion. I don't intend this politically. I'm interested in how people are thinking about their personal past and future right now.

Remember the movie where Jack Nicholson goes to his psychiatrist's office, sees all the depressed people in the waiting room, and asks, "What if this is as good as it gets?"

I've been wondering that recently. We have four events right now that were unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago: a climate crisis, the Trump phenomenon, the pandemic, and now an economic crash that economists are calling worse than the Great Depression. That's a heck of a lot to deal with all at once, especially if you're in your last quarter of life.


I've been wondering if maybe the best parts of my life are behind me, and the future could be just a battle for survival against these events over which we have so little individual control. That's sort of a bleak thought. It doesn't jive with the American retirement dream . . . which had already disappeared for a lot of people well before the pandemic.

What do you predict for your future?
What is the Trump phenomenon? Please feel free to elaborate....although we are supposed to leave politics alone here. Another dig, I would wager.
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Old 05-09-2020, 05:55 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by SailinAway View Post
A philosophical rather than political discussion. I don't intend this politically. I'm interested in how people are thinking about their personal past and future right now.

Remember the movie where Jack Nicholson goes to his psychiatrist's office, sees all the depressed people in the waiting room, and asks, "What if this is as good as it gets?"

I've been wondering that recently. We have four events right now that were unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago: a climate crisis, the Trump phenomenon, the pandemic, and now an economic crash that economists are calling worse than the Great Depression. That's a heck of a lot to deal with all at once, especially if you're in your last quarter of life.

I've been wondering if maybe the best parts of my life are behind me, and the future could be just a battle for survival against these events over which we have so little individual control. That's sort of a bleak thought. It doesn't jive with the American retirement dream . . . which had already disappeared for a lot of people well before the pandemic.

What do you predict for your future?

Based on your past few posts, your sounding a little hysterical and need to settle down. If your uncontrollably scared, quarantine yourself and hire a service or someone to deliver your necessities.

At some point your going to have to come to the realization of the situation and live life accordingly...

I wish you well...

Dan
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Old 05-09-2020, 06:01 PM   #6
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At my age I don't want it to be a lost summer..
My thought exactly! When you know you have a limited number of years left, you don't want to lose a single one. That's getting me down personally right now, thinking that some things might be postponed for a whole year.
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Old 05-09-2020, 06:08 PM   #7
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My thought exactly! When you know you have a limited number of years left, you don't want to lose a single one. That's getting me down personally right now, thinking that some things might be postponed for a whole year.

We are all worried but you kind of have to remind yourself that you could do all this, not get sick, and then fall down the stairs or drive into a tree, or whatever. Live your life.
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Old 05-09-2020, 06:12 PM   #8
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What is the Trump phenomenon? Please feel free to elaborate....although we are supposed to leave politics alone here. Another dig, I would wager.
Merriam Webster's definition of phenomenon: a rare or significant fact or event. The four events I mentioned are all phenomena.

I wanted to make a personal, not political, statement about how life feels to me at this historic moment and to hear how it feels to others.
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Old 05-09-2020, 06:25 PM   #9
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Based on your past few posts, your sounding a little hysterical and need to settle down. If your uncontrollably scared, quarantine yourself and hire a service or someone to deliver your necessities.

At some point your going to have to come to the realization of the situation and live life accordingly...

I wish you well...

Dan
Funny! Really. But think about it this way: 50 years from now your children and grandchildren are going to study the year 2020 and they're going to say, "Seriously? All that happened in one year?" And only they will know if we survived.

You know, a pandemic makes people think about their mortality. They run out and rewrite their wills and cut out their obnoxious nephew and ex-wife. That can make you wax philosophical.
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Old 05-09-2020, 06:30 PM   #10
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We still have an incredible amount to be grateful for. You are in total control of what you focus on - either doom and gloom or all the good things that are still around you.

As a country, we'll come back from this just like have in the past. Things will change, new opportunities will be created.

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You know, a pandemic makes people think about their mortality.
Maybe you, but it's helped me focus on how little I really need to be happy. I'm going to die someday but not obsessed with the thought. Guess I've always been a 1/2 full guy by nature.
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Old 05-09-2020, 09:13 PM   #11
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Funny! Really. But think about it this way: 50 years from now your children and grandchildren are going to study the year 2020 and they're going to say, "Seriously? All that happened in one year?" And only they will know if we survived.

You know, a pandemic makes people think about their mortality. They run out and rewrite their wills and cut out their obnoxious nephew and ex-wife. That can make you wax philosophical.
Good point! Maybe the best bet is to end it all now. Why suffer through the impending decline? (Just checked my pulse: OK for now, but that could change)

I mean really with "The Trump phenomenon" and the virus we don't stand a chance. Why prolong the inevitable? Obviously we are doomed!

I am going to call my neighbor, maybe they will let me into their crying room.
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Old 05-09-2020, 11:16 PM   #12
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I've been wondering if maybe the best parts of my life are behind me, and the future could be just a battle for survival against these events over which we have so little individual control. That's sort of a bleak thought.
We "peaked" as a society between the time JFK got elected and when we put a man on the moon.

Since then the population has gotten dumber, people have become obese, and all respect for our institutions has gone out the window.

Politically there is no consensus, no middle ground on anything, let alone a pandemic.

The dream is over.

"Beam me up, Scottie, there's no intelligent life down here!"
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Old 05-10-2020, 03:54 AM   #13
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Funny! Really. But think about it this way: 50 years from now your children and grandchildren are going to study the year 2020 and they're going to say, "Seriously? All that happened in one year?" And only they will know if we survived.

You know, a pandemic makes people think about their mortality. They run out and rewrite their wills and cut out their obnoxious nephew and ex-wife. That can make you wax philosophical.
I received ten "Thanks" for a post that was highlighted, "It's not about your health".

Methinks you've tuned-in to the wrong news media.

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Old 05-10-2020, 05:13 AM   #14
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I understand where the OP is coming from, and I'm only 43. There's something very real about how much will not happen this year. I, and my senior students, are struggling with the lack of closure, the lost rites of passage, and the complete disconnect from friends and family. I totally understand where "reopen protestors" are coming from both emotionally and financially.

That being said, I learned a long time ago, when I first started teaching, that there is no "normal" year. Whether it's a series of bomb scares, mass shootings, new school moves, budget cuts, absurd governmental philosophy shifts, etc. there's always some disruption, and we move forward...making each opportunity the best it can be.

Like many of you, my family enjoys eating out, hiking, biking, spending time on the water, road trips, concerts, etc. Almost everything we love in summer is still possible...just redefined. Dining out means grabbing meatball subs from Jo Jo's and eating at a picnic table or on Boatie Two; hiking, biking, and road trips now mean exploring overlooked local gems; listening to music now means scouring YouTube for classic performances.

I listened to Mark Knopfler's A Night in London on my Bluetooth speaker last weekend while swinging with my wife by the fire—the kids were riding their bikes around camp as a gentle breeze ruffled the baby birch leaves. We had nowhere to go, and nothing to do. It was amazing.

It's all about perspective.

And at some point, CV-19 will give way to some other disruption...and we'll redefine life again.

Cheers, forum friend, and best wishes. I myself am stoked for a GREAT summer...once school has come to an end.

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Old 05-10-2020, 06:19 AM   #15
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Many of us remember times when we were worry free. Dad worked and mom ran the home and managed the family. Kids played outside until dark, getting dirty, eating sweets and riding bikes without helmets. They called adults "sir" and "ma'am" and had respect for police.
The only time flags were flown at half staff was was for the death of a president
senior official or member of SCOTUS....not for hollywood stars and and professional athletes.
Republicans and democrats had different points of view back then as they do now but respected each other and always found common ground when it involved the good of our country.
I could keep going but some will remember those times and for those that don't, I wish they could have, because it was a different world
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Old 05-10-2020, 07:12 AM   #16
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Many of us remember times when we were worry free. Dad worked and mom ran the home and managed the family. Kids played outside until dark, getting dirty, eating sweets and riding bikes without helmets. They called adults "sir" and "ma'am" and had respect for police.
The only time flags were flown at half staff was was for the death of a president
senior official or member of SCOTUS....not for hollywood stars and and professional athletes.
Republicans and democrats had different points of view back then as they do now but respected each other and always found common ground when it involved the good of our country.
I could keep going but some will remember those times and for those that don't, I wish they could have, because it was a different world
It's called, "basic respect for your fellow American". That all changed with the rise of "social media".
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Old 05-10-2020, 07:29 AM   #17
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Samiam, I totally agree and can totally relate. I remember being taught by my father that a man was no better than his word, and that a handshake was as good as a written contract.

I was taught to not argue about religion or politics, the best way to potentially destroy a friendship. Yet, it was possible to discuss these subjects with civility, and to end those discussions with an agreement to agree to disagree. Opinions are like noses (or any other part of the anatomy you may prefer), everyone has one, and there must be respect for them.

I was taught to open and hold doors open not just for women but for whomever may be following behind you. When two people arrived at the same point, say "Please, go ahead.".

Bottom line, I guess it was all about respect for all. It was working for the common good. It didn't have to it's my way or the highway. Compromise was not a sign of weakness, it was working on a solution for the majority.

Civility and respect were probably tops in life's lessons, back in the 50's and early 60's.

Oh, and if Mom said no, don't bother going to Dad (or vice versa), the answer would be the same.

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Last edited by upthesaukee; 05-10-2020 at 10:01 AM.
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Old 05-10-2020, 07:36 AM   #18
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Samiam, I totally agree and can totally relate. I remember being taught by my father that a man was no better than his word, and that a handshake was as good as a written contract.

I was taught to not argue about religion or politics, the best way to potentially destroy a friendship. Yet, it was possible to discuss these subjects with civility, and to end those discussions with an agreement to agree to disagree. Opinions are like noses (or any other part of the anatomy you may prefer), everyone has one, and the most be respect for them.

I was taught to open and hold doors open not just for women but for whomever may be following behind you. When two people arrived at the same point, say "Please, go ahead.".

Bottom line, I guess it was all about respect for all. It was working for the common good. It didn't have to it's my way or the highway. Compromise was not a sign of weakness, it was working on a solution for the majority.

Civility and respect were probably tops in life's lessons, back in the 50's and early 60's.

Oh, and if Mom said no, don't bother going to Dad (or vice versa), the answer would be the same.

Dave
Hand shakes no more, another staple of the past we will lose.
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Old 05-10-2020, 07:39 AM   #19
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Bob compromise is more difficult now with social media. We have two extreme wings and if someone in their party wants to agree with the other party they will get lambasted or worse primaried. Even this pandemic is polarizing so now sure what event will change it. Best to just get on with life and now watch too much cable news. looking forward to getting to lake and heading to Vk and Red Hill
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Old 05-10-2020, 08:12 AM   #20
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I grew up the way many of you have and, indeed, it was a different time. My wife and I have been discussing how fortunate we have been to grow up in those times.

At times I do blame the Internet for the divisiveness we all experience. And yet, the Internet has many virtues and has made a huge positive difference in my life.This forum has enriched my life for years. This Covid thread has also shown me the damage caused by the virus goes way beyond health/economic issues.

Finally, as long as we are philosophizing, I have 3 thoughts that have guided me. The first two I read somewhere years ago.

1. Maturity is the ability to handle uncertainty ( from a college statistics book).
2. Nostalgia is the biggest lie of all.
3. Don’t BS yourself.
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Old 05-10-2020, 01:17 PM   #21
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Good point! Maybe the best bet is to end it all now. Why suffer through the impending decline? (Just checked my pulse: OK for now, but that could change)

I mean really with "The Trump phenomenon" and the virus we don't stand a chance. Why prolong the inevitable? Obviously we are doomed!

I am going to call my neighbor, maybe they will let me into their crying room.
It's pretty obvious the person you've responded to is quite distressed. Many of the other posts in this thread recognize this, and show compassion.

You sound like the young woman who convinced her boyfriend to off himself-Pathetic!
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Old 05-10-2020, 01:19 PM   #22
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Many of us remember times when we were worry free. Dad worked and mom ran the home and managed the family. Kids played outside until dark, getting dirty, eating sweets and riding bikes without helmets. They called adults "sir" and "ma'am" and had respect for police. The only time flags were flown at half staff was was for the death of a president senior official or member of SCOTUS....not for hollywood stars and and professional athletes. Republicans and democrats had different points of view back then as they do now but respected each other and always found common ground when it involved the good of our country. I could keep going but some will remember those times and for those that don't, I wish they could have, because it was a different world
I have the same memories as you do and often long to go back to those days (1950s and 60s). But also consider what Newbiesaukee wrote:

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2. Nostalgia is the biggest lie of all.
I grew up in a small, all white northern town after World War II. It was a prosperous era for many (GI Bill etc.). We didn't know our neighbors' politics and politics didn't divide us. On the other hand, racial segregation was still legal in the South and racial tensions would soon come to violence, but we children and teenagers knew nothing about that. We were on the verge of the catastrophe across Southeast Asia. We hid under our desks during air raid drills and had nightmares of being bombed by the Russians. Women's choices of education and careers were pretty limited and women had no place in politics.

Yes, I'm very nostalgic for that era and feel very fortunate to have grown up then, as you say. But at that time, much was hidden beneath the surface because---unlike today---it was considered anti-social to protest unsavory things like discrimination or to let anyone see certain parts of one's life, like if you had an alcoholic in the family or someone who was disabled, or even a divorce! Unwed mothers were sent away on vacation. There are many things I'd like to return to, but not all.

Except for the hardships of World War II and the Korean War, we didn't face anything like what's happening today. 400,000 US soldiers died in WW II; 80,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 so far. Unemployment during WWII was 1.2%. Not sure anyone had heard of a climate crisis then.
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Old 05-10-2020, 01:30 PM   #23
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It's pretty obvious the person you've responded to is quite distressed. Many of the other posts in this thread recognize this, and show compassion.

You sound like the young woman who convinced her boyfriend to off himself-Pathetic!
Jeep, it seemed pretty obvious to me that his response was tongue in cheek and not intended to be taken literally.
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Old 05-10-2020, 01:35 PM   #24
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Many of us remember times when we were worry free. Dad worked and mom ran the home and managed the family. Kids played outside until dark, getting dirty, eating sweets and riding bikes without helmets. They called adults "sir" and "ma'am" and had respect for police.
The only time flags were flown at half staff was was for the death of a president
senior official or member of SCOTUS....not for hollywood stars and and professional athletes.
Republicans and democrats had different points of view back then as they do now but respected each other and always found common ground when it involved the good of our country.
I could keep going but some will remember those times and for those that don't, I wish they could have, because it was a different world
I also yearn to go back to those times of my childhood. But then I wonder about stress that other people felt, but from which I was blissfully insulated: Vietnam, fear of a nuclear attack, women unable to get good jobs, racism worse than today's.

Similarly, I was listening to Springsteen's Factory today--about the incredible pain of working in a factory in our country's halcyon days. Jobs that we all bemoan the loss of now. But let's face it--they were brutal, even if the money was good. I don't know if today is better or worse, but we've made a lot of progress in a lot of areas.

Early in the morning factory whistle blows
Man rises from bed and puts on his clothes
Man takes his lunch, walks out in the morning light
It's the working, the working, just the working life

Through the mansions of fear, through the mansions of pain
I see my daddy walking through them factory gates in the rain
Factory takes his hearing, factory gives him life
The working, the working, just the working life

End of the day, factory whistle cries
Men walk through these gates with death in their eyes
And you just better believe, boy
Somebody's gonna get hurt tonight
It's the working, the working, just the working life
'Cause it's the working, the working, just the working life
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Old 05-10-2020, 02:09 PM   #25
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It's pretty obvious the person you've responded to is quite distressed. Many of the other posts in this thread recognize this, and show compassion. You sound like the young woman who convinced her boyfriend to off himself-Pathetic!
I don't want to exaggerate my distress. I'm in decent health, have a roof over my head and food on my table, have access to beautiful places all around me, and my work has not been impacted. My hardship is only about 1% of what people in New York and many other places around the world have been through and I count my blessings. Still, I have a deep sense of disquiet about all the phenomena I mentioned, which together surpass everything I've experienced in the past---much greater than 9/11, for example. As I get older, I feel less resilient to such things. The purpose of my post was more to find out how other people are experiencing what's happening and their larger view of what it means for their own future. I had absolutely no political intention and I'm sorry that my post was taken that way. I wish people would take the time to get to know a newcomer instead of guessing the person's politics and then deciding to associate every statement with that supposed position.

There has been a huge rise recently in the number of people experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression. Except for groceries and campgrounds, my life is about the same as it was before, so I'm luckier than most. I have a medical issue that's making me a bit paranoid about the grocery thing---I've been social distancing for 20 years because of it.

I think it's not a good idea to demean people who express stress. It sends them a message that they're outliers, when we know that's really not the case right now. I'm pretty sure there are people on this forum who are dealing with new stressors added to their old ones. Compassion would be in order. And dropping the political paintbrush would help too---there might not be an association between mental health and politics. I'm not sure about that, but let's not take a link for granted because people of all political shades can suffer from anxiety etc. Let's give people's sincerity the benefit of the doubt.

TiltonBB, in case you missed this, my closest friend of 35 years died in March of an illness related to COVID-19. He died exactly at the point when we were supposed to be stocking two weeks or a month of food, but the grocery stores were empty, a very stressful moment for us all. He was a much more than a simple friend. It was a real blow and probably has colored how I'm seeing things. As you get older you start losing people and it starts to weighs on you because you realize they're not replaceable this late in life.

God help you if you can take this post and turn it into something mean spirited. You don't have to treat me with compassion, but at least be authentic yourself and maybe others will do the same. Treat people the same as you would if you met them for the first time at your local summer fair.
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Old 05-11-2020, 06:19 AM   #26
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It's called, "basic respect for your fellow American". That all changed with the rise of "social media".
I disagree. It changed as the government schools started focusing on feelings over accomplishment and the parents let it happen at home. The trophy for all mindset has consequences.

30 years ago the idea of a governor seizing control of private businesses in NH without due process would have been thought impossible. That
respect for the individual and their dreams and accomplishments, that used to make up such a big part of the American spirit, was largely parented and government "schooled" out, and what we have left is a dumbed down european collectivist mindset.

The land of the free and home of the brave gave way to masses welcoming more rules to follow and non-bravery. Americans fought on beaches and died for you and me to live our lives without a nanny state. Who are we fighting for? We're obedient, docile and genuflect at the alter of the state, worshiping politicians, actors and the Kardashians of the world. Americans didn't used be this way.
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Old 05-11-2020, 10:38 AM   #27
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30 years ago the idea of a governor seizing control of private businesses in NH without due process would have been thought impossible.
What if, as now, the rest of the world were doing that?

The deterioration of the American Way has little if anything to do with our response to the pandemic.
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Old 05-12-2020, 09:29 AM   #28
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What if, as now, the rest of the world were doing that?
That's the problem, we shouldn't look to the rest of the world before doing anything - they should look to us.
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Old 05-12-2020, 12:11 PM   #29
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That's the problem, we shouldn't look to the rest of the world before doing anything - they should look to us.
They should! They looked to us in the past when we appeared to be magnanimous/generous leaders, and ahead of them technologically. But right now we do not appear to be either of those things. When we say "China virus" we appear to others to be pointing the finger instead of leading the charge. When South Korea can test for covid better than we can, we appear incompetent. When we end up with more covid cases than anyone else, we are the oppressed instead of the heroes. As a proud American and devout capitalist, I find these things deeply embarrassing.
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Old 05-12-2020, 12:29 PM   #30
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They should! They looked to us in the past when we appeared to be magnanimous/generous leaders, and ahead of them technologically. But right now we do not appear to be either of those things. When we say "China virus" we appear to others to be pointing the finger instead of leading the charge. When South Korea can test for covid better than we can, we appear incompetent. When we end up with more covid cases than anyone else, we are the oppressed instead of the heroes. As a proud American and devout capitalist, I find these things deeply embarrassing.
Agree to disagree.

I'll rephrase it a different way that may be a bit more apt -

We shouldn't care what the world thinks of us, they should worry what we think of them.
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Old 05-12-2020, 03:42 PM   #31
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It pains me to say it, but America just isn't the world leader in just about anything any more. I love this country, and bleed red white and blue, but the rest of the world doesn't look up to us anymore. We are the only industrialized country that doesn't have universal health care. We arent even in the top ten happiest countries. Our infant mortality rate is embarrassingly high. The disparity between our rich and poor has never been wider. Our education system is horrible compared to most countries ( why do you think the best doctors in America are from China and India)? We think we are the greatest country but in reality we are not. Sad.
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Old 05-12-2020, 03:43 PM   #32
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Agree to disagree.

I'll rephrase it a different way that may be a bit more apt -

We shouldn't care what the world thinks of us, they should worry what we think of them.
I'm not sure we disagree on the ideal.

My point was that our performance as a country with respect to COVID-19 has made the world less interested "in what we think of them", to use your phrase. I don't think there's any aspect of our performance that has been admired by others. We have more cases, more economic disruption, less testing...than an exceptional country should. I think we probably agree on that too.
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Old 05-12-2020, 03:49 PM   #33
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It pains me to say it, but America just isn't the world leader in just about anything any more. I love this country, and bleed red white and blue, but the rest of the world doesn't look up to us anymore. We are the only industrialized country that doesn't have universal health care. We arent even in the top ten happiest countries. Our infant mortality rate is embarrassingly high. The disparity between our rich and poor has never been wider. Our education system is horrible compared to most countries ( why do you think the best doctors in America are from China and India)? We think we are the greatest country but in reality we are not. Sad.
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Old 05-12-2020, 05:00 PM   #34
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It pains me to say it, but America just isn't the world leader in just about anything any more. I love this country, and bleed red white and blue, but the rest of the world doesn't look up to us anymore. We are the only industrialized country that doesn't have universal health care. We arent even in the top ten happiest countries. Our infant mortality rate is embarrassingly high. The disparity between our rich and poor has never been wider. Our education system is horrible compared to most countries ( why do you think the best doctors in America are from China and India)? We think we are the greatest country but in reality we are not. Sad.
I just hope that you realize that you’re free to speak for yourself, but probably not for all. Count me out, for one.
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Old 05-12-2020, 05:04 PM   #35
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That’s the trouble with People in this, the greatest country on earth.
Always berating it and it’s “faults”
I say don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out...they never do leave however.
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Old 05-12-2020, 05:07 PM   #36
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That’s the trouble with People in this, the greatest country on earth.
Always berating it and it’s “faults”
I say don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out...they never do leave however.
Amen Hill! God Bless America!
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Old 05-12-2020, 05:43 PM   #37
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THE best parts of this country are not attributable to most living politicians for some time, that's for sure.

The US Constitution and the men and women of our military - past and present, dead and living - who would die to protect it and every one of us and our rights to argue with complete strangers online are what separate us. And what makes us great still.

GB
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Old 05-12-2020, 06:07 PM   #38
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[QUOTE=gravy boat;334606The US Constitution and the men and women of our military - past and present, dead and living - who would die to protect it and every one of us and our rights to argue with complete strangers online are what separate us. And what makes us great still.GB[/QUOTE]

America ascended based on internecine warfare in Europe and our unexploited frontier.

OUr open door policy in the prior centuries flooded our shores with immigrants who had seemingly unlimited land to tame and exploit.

Not any more.

Unless America reinvents itself its descent will continue, while China and other countries ascend.
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Old 05-12-2020, 06:43 PM   #39
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I'm not sure we disagree on the ideal.

My point was that our performance as a country with respect to COVID-19 has made the world less interested "in what we think of them", to use your phrase. I don't think there's any aspect of our performance that has been admired by others. We have more cases, more economic disruption, less testing...than an exceptional country should. I think we probably agree on that too.
Completely wrong, we have done more testing, there is just as much economic disruption in Asia and Europe maybe more as many shut down before the US and are still shut, we also have a lower rate of infection per 100000 than all but the lying Chinese.
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Old 05-12-2020, 07:01 PM   #40
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That’s the trouble with People in this, the greatest country on earth.
Always berating it and it’s “faults”
I say don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out...they never do leave however.
OK...I'll bite....what makes America the greatest country on earth right now? As I said in my post, there are other countries with better education, better healthcare, happier people, better standard of living, and oh yea, lots less violence. Switzerland....Iceland....Finland...New Zealand...Sweden....the Netherlands...
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Old 05-12-2020, 07:10 PM   #41
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OK...I'll bite....what makes America the greatest country on earth right now? As I said in my post, there are other countries with better education, better healthcare, happier people, better standard of living, and oh yea, lots less violence. Switzerland....Iceland....Finland...New Zealand...Sweden....the Netherlands...
Let us know when you are moving to one of those so called better countries.
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Old 05-12-2020, 07:41 PM   #42
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Let us know when you are moving to one of those so called better countries.
Soooooo....I repeat....what makes America the greatest country on earth right now.? It's such a foolish statement to say " move". My family is here, my job...my life. Besides, I love America...its just not the greatest country on earth anymore.
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Old 05-12-2020, 08:26 PM   #43
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Soooooo....I repeat....what makes America the greatest country on earth right now.? It's such a foolish statement to say " move". My family is here, my job...my life. Besides, I love America...its just not the greatest country on earth anymore.
Sounds like you remembered (or just watched again in your quarantine) this scene and are drawing from it :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqcLUqYqrs (Newsroom scene, we've all seen it)

I'll bite though.

1. Name another country you can go out and be wildly successful when you start with little or nothing. We have more examples than I need for my case. Bezos, Gates, Jobs, Buffet, Obama (just for you) you get it. Can you name another country with even close to the same # ? We lead and innovate industry and have for some time.

2. The countries you love all have absurd tax rates (Western Europe average ~ 40-60% top rate, plus higher rates on goods/services). Universal health care comes at an expense, it's not free as you're blue/socialist friends would have us believe. It very well might be free to you but to those of us that pay for it it's going to cost plenty. Our tax bill won't be far behind Europe if universal income for all and universal healthcare happens.

3. We still subsidize the world, giving almost more than 50% more than the next closest country, which is of course the UK. Individual countries aid aside the WHO is a case in point. NATO another. Luckily we're stopping that, but I'm sure you appreciate the philanthropy.

4. If our education is so bad why does everyone from the world around come here for schooling? Why do foreign leaders and the wealthy come here for healthcare? Maybe because it's the best? And don't say it's not accessible, because it is, I know quite a few medicare only insured going to Mass General.

5. The freedom to do what you are doing - enjoying freedom by saying derogatory things about your home country. It's your right, but I think we all agree we were the greatest for a long time, and if you want to say we aren't anymore fine. But we can be the greatest again (heh)

So while I could go on I won't, I will just say if you know of a better country let me know, maybe I'll move as well.
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Old 05-12-2020, 08:30 PM   #44
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I will just say if you know of a better country let me know, maybe I'll move as well.
Hello, Canada.

Greetings, Iceland.

Good to see ya, Norway.
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Old 05-12-2020, 08:33 PM   #45
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Soooooo....I repeat....what makes America the greatest country on earth right now.? It's such a foolish statement to say " move". My family is here, my job...my life. Besides, I love America...its just not the greatest country on earth anymore.
Dickiej, it’s a free country, and that’s one thing that makes it great, along with your freedom to express your opinions on how NOT great it is. However, your post #40 where you rave about all the countries with better health systems, education, and a host of other attributes, invites comments from other forum members, suggesting that you move. They are not being “foolish”.....you might just be the foolish one, thinking you’ll get a pass when you dump on our homeland. Just sayin’.
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Old 05-12-2020, 09:28 PM   #46
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Completely wrong, we have done more testing, there is just as much economic disruption in Asia and Europe maybe more as many shut down before the US and are still shut, we also have a lower rate of infection per 100000 than all but the lying Chinese.
"Completely wrong?" If you're going to be brusque, you should at least be right. (Also, when you post misinformation, it seems you also confuse those who thank you.)

Italy is the leader in testing, with approx 21,000 tests per million in population, compared to our less impressive 12,000.

https://www.businessinsider.com/coro...h-korea-2020-4

But more to the point--you'll remember our testing performance early on and how it compared to South Korea. Complete humiliation (at least for those of us in the healthcare industry).

https://www.businessinsider.com/coro...-behind-2020-3

The US is also middling in terms of infection rate per capita. Italy, Sweden the UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Canada...scores of others...also lying?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-..._and_territory

Please post specifics and sources if you disagree
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Old 05-13-2020, 02:01 AM   #47
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It pains me to say it, but America just isn't the world leader in just about anything any more. I love this country, and bleed red white and blue, but the rest of the world doesn't look up to us anymore. We are the only industrialized country that doesn't have universal health care. We arent even in the top ten happiest countries. Our infant mortality rate is embarrassingly high. The disparity between our rich and poor has never been wider. Our education system is horrible compared to most countries ( why do you think the best doctors in America are from China and India)? We think we are the greatest country but in reality we are not. Sad.
A good argument can be made against each "charge"--especially when statistics is involved.



BTW:
"When America sneezes, the world catches a cold".
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Old 05-13-2020, 06:41 AM   #48
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"Completely wrong?" If you're going to be brusque, you should at least be right. (Also, when you post misinformation, it seems you also confuse those who thank you.)

Italy is the leader in testing, with approx 21,000 tests per million in population, compared to our less impressive 12,000.

https://www.businessinsider.com/coro...h-korea-2020-4

But more to the point--you'll remember our testing performance early on and how it compared to South Korea. Complete humiliation (at least for those of us in the healthcare industry).

https://www.businessinsider.com/coro...-behind-2020-3

The US is also middling in terms of infection rate per capita. Italy, Sweden the UK, Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Canada...scores of others...also lying?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-..._and_territory

Please post specifics and sources if you disagree
At the current rate of testing we will surpass Italy in less than 3 weeks. You are forgetting the outbreak started there 5 weeks ahead of the us so right now the stats are apples and oranges. The US has the second lowest death rate of any developed country. Which one might say is the ultimate measure of success. Testing and death rate per CNN. A trusted source unless maybe it was fake news? I only said China was lying you added the other countries. I think that is a universally accepted fact. As to infection rate, that is to be expected. We are the freest most mobile country on the planet. All of this is material to what? We are all going to get this virus, it is only a matter of when. This will probably be with us forever unless a really effective vaccine is found and we will learn to live with it. Life will go on because it has to. Flattening the curve was the goal. That has been accomplished in most places and many well managed states stayed well below hospital capacity. Look at Florida, 2 million more people than NY, the hospital capacity available never dropped below 43%.
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Old 05-13-2020, 07:33 AM   #49
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We are a great country, we've always been a great country, and we always will be a great country. But our current regime wants you to believe that they they made it that way. We've been through trying times before and we will come through this and be stronger for it as we always have. Every downturn or calamity provides a time to reset. This one esp. sinse we all have so much time at home to think about how we plan out our future.

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Old 05-13-2020, 09:04 AM   #50
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We are a great country, we've always been a great country, and we always will be a great country. But our current regime wants you to believe that they they made it that way.

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No, the current "regime" is doing it's best to bring the country to it's best potential. I know these facts fly in the face of liberal ideology, but they are indeed facts
Promises kept.


Economic Growth

4.2 percent growth in the second quarter of 2018.
For the first time in more than a decade, growth is projected to exceed 3 percent over the calendar year.


Jobs

4 million new jobs have been created since the election, and more than 3.5 million since Trump took office.
More Americans are employed now than ever before in our history.
Jobless claims at lowest level in nearly five decades.
The economy has achieved the longest positive job-growth streak on record.
Job openings are at an all-time high and outnumber job seekers for the first time on record.
Unemployment claims at 50 year low
African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American unemployment rates have all recently reached record lows.
African-American unemployment hit a record low of 5.9 percent in May 2018.
Hispanic unemployment at 4.5 percent.
Asian-American unemployment at record low of 2 percent.
Women’s unemployment recently at lowest rate in nearly 65 years.
Female unemployment dropped to 3.6 percent in May 2018, the lowest since October 1953.
Youth unemployment recently reached its lowest level in more than 50 years.
July 2018’s youth unemployment rate of 9.2 percent was the lowest since July 1966.
Veterans’ unemployment recently hit its lowest level in nearly two decades.
July 2018’s veterans’ unemployment rate of 3.0 percent matched the lowest rate since May 2001.
Unemployment rate for Americans without a high school diploma recently reached a record low.
Rate for disabled Americans recently hit a record low.
Blue-collar jobs recently grew at the fastest rate in more than three decades.
Poll found that 85 percent of blue-collar workers believe their lives are headed “in the right direction.”
68 percent reported receiving a pay increase in the past year.
Last year, job satisfaction among American workers hit its highest level since 2005.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans rate now as a good time to find a quality job.
Optimism about the availability of good jobs has grown by 25 percent.
Added more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs since the election.
Manufacturing employment is growing at its fastest pace in more than two decades.
100,000 new jobs supporting the production & transport of oil & natural gas.


American Income

Median household income rose to $61,372 in 2017, a post-recession high.
Wages up in August by their fastest rate since June 2009.
Paychecks rose by 3.3 percent between 2016 and 2017, the most in a decade.
Council of Economic Advisers found that real wage compensation has grown by 1.4 percent over the past year.
Some 3.9 million Americans off food stamps since the election.
Median income for Hispanic-Americans rose by 3.7 percent and surpassed $50,000 for the first time ever in history.
Home-ownership among Hispanics is at the highest rate in nearly a decade.
Poverty rates for African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans have reached their lowest levels ever recorded.


American Optimism

Small business optimism has hit historic highs.
NFIB’s small business optimism index broke a 35 year-old record in August.
SurveyMonkey/CNBC’s small business confidence survey for Q3 of 2018 matched its all-time high.
Manufacturers are more confident than ever.
95 percent of U.S. manufacturers are optimistic about the future, the highest ever.
Consumer confidence is at an 18-year high.
12 percent of Americans rate the economy as the most significant problem facing our country, the lowest level on record.
Confidence in the economy is near a two-decade high, with 51 percent rating the economy as good or excellent.


American Business

Investment is flooding back into the United States due to the tax cuts.
Over $450 billion dollars has already poured back into the U.S., including more than $300 billion in the first quarter of 2018.
Retail sales have surged. Commerce Department figures from August show that retail sales increased 0.5 percent in July 2018, an increase of 6.4 percent from July 2017.
ISM’s index of manufacturing scored its highest reading in 14 years.
Worker productivity is the highest it has been in more than three years.
Steel and aluminum producers are re-opening.
Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and NASDAQ have all notched record highs.
Dow hit record highs 70 times in 2017 alone, the most ever recorded in one year.


Deregulation

Achieved massive deregulation at a rapid pace, completing 22 deregulatory actions to every one regulatory action during his first year in office.
Signed legislation to roll back costly and harmful provisions of Dodd-Frank, providing relief to credit unions, and community and regional banks.
Federal agencies achieved more than $8 billion in lifetime net regulatory cost savings.
Rolled back Obama’s burdensome Waters of the U.S. rule.
Used the Congressional Review Act to repeal regulations more times than in history.


Tax Cuts

Biggest tax cuts and reforms in American history by signing the Tax Cuts and Jobs act into law
Provided more than $5.5 trillion in gross tax cuts, nearly 60 percent of which will go to families.
Increased the exemption for the death tax to help save Family Farms & Small Business.
Nearly doubled the standard deduction for individuals and families.
Enabled vast majority of American families will be able to file their taxes on a single page by claiming the standard deduction.
Doubled the child tax credit to help lessen the financial burden of raising a family.
Lowered America’s corporate tax rate from the highest in the developed world to allow American businesses to compete and win.
Small businesses can now deduct 20 percent of their business income.
Cut dozens of special interest tax breaks and closed loopholes for the wealthy.
9 in 10 American workers are expected see an increase in their paychecks thanks to the tax cuts, according to the Treasury Department.
More than 6 million of American workers have received wage increases, bonuses, and increased benefits thanks to tax cuts.
Over 100 utility companies have lowered electric, gas, or water rates thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Ernst & Young found 89 percent of companies planned to increase worker compensation thanks to the Trump tax cuts.
Established opportunity zones to spur investment in left behind communities.


Worker Development

Established a National Council for the American Worker to develop a national strategy for training and retraining America’s workers for high-demand industries.
Employers have signed Trump’s “Pledge to America’s Workers,” committing to train or retrain more than 4.2 million workers and students.
Signed the first Perkins CTE reauthorization since 2006, authorizing more than $1 billion for states each year to fund vocational and career education programs.
Executive order expanding apprenticeship opportunities for students and workers.


Domestic Infrastructure

Proposed infrastructure plan would utilize $200 billion in Federal funds to spur at least $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investment across the country.
Executive order expediting environmental reviews and approvals for high priority infrastructure projects.
Federal agencies have signed the One Federal Decision Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) streamlining the federal permitting process for infrastructure projects.
Rural prosperity task force and signed an executive order to help expand broadband access in rural areas.


Health Care

Signed an executive order to help minimize the financial burden felt by American households Signed legislation to improve the National Suicide Hotline.
Signed the most comprehensive childhood cancer legislation ever into law, which will advance childhood cancer research and improve treatments.
Signed Right-to-Try legislation, expanding health care options for terminally ill patients.
Enacted changes to the Medicare 340B program, saving seniors an estimated $320 million on drugs in 2018 alone.
FDA set a new record for generic drug approvals in 2017, saving consumers nearly $9 billion.
Released a blueprint to drive down drug prices for American patients, leading multiple major drug companies to announce they will freeze or reverse price increases.
Expanded short-term, limited-duration health plans.
Let more employers to form Association Health Plans, enabling more small businesses to join together and affordably provide health insurance to their employees.
Cut Obamacare’s burdensome individual mandate penalty.
Signed legislation repealing Obamacare’s Independent Payment Advisory Board, also known as the “death panels.”
USDA invested more than $1 billion in rural health care in 2017, improving access to health care for 2.5 million people in rural communities across 41 states
Proposed Title X rule to help ensure taxpayers do not fund the abortion industry in violation of the law.
Reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy to keep foreign aid from supporting the global abortion industry.
HHS formed a new division over protecting the rights of conscience and religious freedom.
Overturned Obama administration’s midnight regulation prohibiting states from defunding certain abortion facilities.
Signed executive order to help ensure that religious organizations are not forced to choose between violating their religious beliefs by complying with Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate or shutting their doors.


Combating Opioids

Chaired meeting the 73rd General Session of the United Nations discussing the worldwide drug problem with international leaders.
Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand, introducing new measures to keep dangerous drugs out of our communities.
$6 billion in new funding to fight the opioid epidemic.
DEA conducted a surge in April 2018 that arrested 28 medical professions and revoked 147 registrations for prescribing too many opioids.
Brought the “Prescribed to Death” memorial to President’s Park near the White House, helping raise awareness about the human toll of the opioid crisis.
Helped reduce high-dose opioid prescriptions by 16 percent in 2017.
Opioid Summit on the administration-wide efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Launched a national public awareness campaign about the dangers of opioid addiction.
Created a Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis which recommended a number of pathways to tackle the opioid crisis.
Led two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days in 2017 and 2018, collecting a record number of expired and unneeded prescription drugs each time.
$485 million targeted grants in FY 2017 to help areas hit hardest by the opioid crisis.
Signed INTERDICT Act, strengthening efforts to detect and intercept synthetic opioids before they reach our communities.
DOJ secured its first-ever indictments against Chinese fentanyl manufacturers.
Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) team, aimed at disrupting online illicit opioid sales.
Declared the opioid crisis a Nationwide Public Health Emergency in October 2017.


Law and Order

More U.S. Circuit Court judges confirmed in the first year in office than ever.
Confirmed more than two dozen U. S. Circuit Court judges.
Followed through on the promise to nominate judges to the Supreme Court who will adhere to the Constitution
Nominated and confirmed Justice Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Signed an executive order directing the Attorney General to develop a strategy to more effectively prosecute people who commit crimes against law enforcement officers.
Launched an evaluation of grant programs to make sure they prioritize the protection and safety of law enforcement officers.
Established a task force to reduce crime and restore public safety in communities across Signed an executive order to focus more federal resources on dismantling transnational criminal organizations such as drug cartels.
Signed an executive order to focus more federal resources on dismantling transnational criminal organizations such as drug cartels.
Violent crime decreased in 2017 according to FBI statistics.
$137 million in grants through the COPS Hiring Program to preserve jobs, increase community policing capacities, and support crime prevention efforts.
Enhanced and updated the Project Safe Neighborhoods to help reduce violent crime.
Signed legislation making it easier to target websites that enable sex trafficking and strengthened penalties for people who promote or facilitate prostitution.
Created an interagency task force working around the clock to prosecute traffickers, protect victims, and prevent human trafficking.
Conducted Operation Cross Country XI to combat human trafficking, rescuing 84 children and arresting 120 human traffickers.
Encouraged federal prosecutors to use the death penalty when possible in the fight against the trafficking of deadly drugs.
New rule effectively banning bump stock sales in the United States.


Border Security and Immigration

Secured $1.6 billion for border wall construction in the March 2018 omnibus bill.
Construction of a 14-mile section of border wall began near San Diego.
Worked to protect American communities from the threat posed by the vile MS-13 gang.
ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations division arrested 796 MS-13 members and associates in FY 2017, an 83 percent increase from the prior year.
Justice worked with partners in Central America to secure criminal charges against more than 4,000 MS-13 members.
Border Patrol agents arrested 228 illegal aliens affiliated with MS-13 in FY 2017.
Fighting to stop the scourge of illegal drugs at our border.
ICE HSI seized more than 980,000 pounds of narcotics in FY 2017, including 2,370 pounds of fentanyl and 6,967 pounds of heroin.
ICE HSI dedicated nearly 630,000 investigative hours towards halting the illegal import of fentanyl.
ICE HSI made 11,691 narcotics-related arrests in FY 2017.
Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand introduced new measures to keep dangerous drugs out the United States.
Signed the INTERDICT Act into law, enhancing efforts to detect and intercept synthetic opioids.
DOJ secured its first-ever indictments against Chinese fentanyl manufacturers.
DOJ launched their Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) team, aimed at disrupting online illicit opioid sales.
Released an immigration framework that includes the resources required to secure our borders and close legal loopholes, and repeatedly called on Congress to fix our broken immigration laws.
Authorized the deployment of the National Guard to help secure the border.
Enhanced vetting of individuals entering the U.S. from countries that don’t meet security standards, helping to ensure individuals who pose a threat to our country are identified before they enter.
These procedures were upheld in a June 2018 Supreme Court hearing.
ICE removed over 226,000 illegal aliens from the United States in 2017.
ICE rescued or identified over 500 human trafficking victims and over 900 child exploitation victims in 2017 alone.
In 2017, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested more than 127,000 aliens with criminal convictions or charges, responsible for
Over 76,000 with dangerous drug offenses.
More than 48,000 with assault offenses.
More than 11,000 with weapons offenses.
More than 5,000 with sexual assault offenses.
More than 2,000 with kidnapping offenses.
Over 1,800 with homicide offenses.
Created the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office in order to support the victims and families affected by illegal alien crime.
More than doubled the number of counties participating in the 287(g) program, which allows jails to detain criminal aliens until they are transferred to ICE custody.


Trade

Negotiating and renegotiating better trade deals, achieving free, fair, and reciprocal trade for the United States.
Agreed to work with the European Union towards zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsides.
Deal with the European Union to increase U.S. energy exports to Europe.
Litigated multiple WTO disputes targeting unfair trade practices and upholding our right to enact fair trade laws.
Finalized a revised trade agreement with South Korea, which includes provisions to increase American automobile exports.
Negotiated an historic U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement to replace NAFTA.
Agreement to begin trade negotiations for a U.S.-Japan trade agreement.
Secured $250 billion in new trade and investment deals in China and $12 billion in Vietnam.
Established a Trade and Investment Working Group with the United Kingdom, laying the groundwork for post-Brexit trade.
Enacted steel and aluminum tariffs to protect our vital steel and aluminum producers and strengthen our national security.
Conducted 82 anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations in 2017 alone.
Confronting China’s unfair trade practices after years of Washington looking the other way.
25 percent tariff on $50 billion of goods imported from China and later imposed an additional 10% tariff on $200 billion of Chinese goods.
Conducted an investigation into Chinese forced technology transfers, unfair licensing practices, and intellectual property theft.
Imposed safeguard tariffs to protect domestic washing machines and solar products manufacturers hurt by China’s trade policies
Withdrew from the job-killing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Secured access to new markets for America’s farmers.
Recent deal with Mexico included new improvements enabling food and agriculture to trade more fairly.
Recent agreement with the E.U. will reduce barriers and increase trade of American soybeans to Europe.
Won a WTO dispute regarding Indonesia’s unfair restriction of U.S. agricultural exports.
Defended American Tuna fisherman and packagers before the WTO
Opened up Argentina to American pork experts for the first time in a quarter-century
American beef exports have returned to china for the first time in more than a decade
OK’d up to $12 billion in aid for farmers affected by unfair trade retaliation.


Energy

Presidential Memorandum to clear roadblocks to construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Presidential Memorandum declaring that the Dakota Access Pipeline serves the national interest and initiating the process to complete construction.
Opened up the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to energy exploration.
Coal exports up over 60 percent in 2017.
Rolled back the “stream protection rule” to prevent it from harming America’s coal industry.
Cancelled Obama’s anti-coal Clean Power Plan and proposed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule as a replacement.
Withdrew from the job-killing Paris climate agreement, which would have cost the U.S. nearly $3 trillion and led to 6.5 million fewer industrial sector jobs by 2040.
U.S. oil production has achieved its highest level in American history
United States is now the largest crude oil producer in the world.
U.S. has become a net natural gas exporter for the first time in six decades.
Action to expedite the identification and extraction of critical minerals that are vital to the nation’s security and economic prosperity.
Took action to reform National Ambient Air Quality Standards, benefitting American manufacturers.
Rescinded Obama’s hydraulic fracturing rule, which was expected to cost the industry $32 million per year.
Proposed an expansion of offshore drilling as part of an all-of-the above energy strategy
Held a lease sale for offshore oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2018.
Got EU to increase its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States.
Issued permits for the New Burgos Pipeline that will cross the U.S.-Mexico border.


Foreign Policy

Moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Withdrew from Iran deal and immediately began the process of re-imposing sanctions that had been lifted or waived.
Treasury has issued sanctions targeting Iranian activities and entities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force
Since enacting sanctions, Iran’s crude exports have fallen off, the value of Iran’s currency has plummeted, and international companies have pulled out of the country.
All nuclear-related sanctions will be back in full force by early November 2018.
Historic summit with North Korean President Kim Jong-Un, bringing beginnings of peace and denuclearization to the Korean Peninsula.
The two leaders have exchanged letters and high-level officials from both sides have met resulting in tremendous progress.
North Korea has halted nuclear and missile tests.
Negotiated the return of the remains of missing-in-action soldiers from the Korean War.
Imposed strong sanctions on Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro and his inner circle.
Executive order preventing those in the U.S. from carrying out certain transactions with the Venezuelan regime, including prohibiting the purchase of the regime’s debt.
Responded to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime.
Rolled out sanctions targeting individuals and entities tied to Syria’s chemical weapons program.
Directed strikes in April 2017 against a Syrian airfield used in a chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians.
Joined allies in launching airstrikes in April 2018 against targets associated with Syria’s chemical weapons use.
New Cuba policy that enhanced compliance with U.S. law and held the Cuban regime accountable for political oppression and human rights abuses.
Treasury and State are working to channel economic activity away from the Cuban regime, particularly the military.
Changed the rules of engagement, empowering commanders to take the fight to ISIS.
ISIS has lost virtually all of its territory, more than half of which has been lost under Trump.
ISIS’ self-proclaimed capital city, Raqqah, was liberated in October 2017.
All Iraqi territory had been liberated from ISIS.
More than a dozen American hostages have been freed from captivity all of the world.
Action to combat Russia’s malign activities, including their efforts to undermine the sanctity of United States elections.
Expelled dozens of Russian intelligence officers from the United States and ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle, WA.
Banned the use of Kaspersky Labs software on government computers, due to the company’s ties to Russian intelligence.
Imposed sanctions against five Russian entities and three individuals for enabling Russia’s military and intelligence units to increase Russia’s offensive cyber capabilities.
Sanctions against seven Russian oligarchs, and 12 companies they own or control, who profit from Russia’s destabilizing activities.
Sanctioned 100 targets in response to Russia’s occupation of Crimea and aggression in Eastern Ukraine.
Enhanced support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces to help Ukraine better defend itself.
Helped win U.S. bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Helped win U.S.-Mexico-Canada’s united bid for 2026 World Cup.


Defense

Executive order keeping the detention facilities at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay open.
$700 billion in military funding for FY 2018 and $716 billion for FY 2019.
Largest military pay raise in nearly a decade.
Ordered a Nuclear Posture Review to ensure America’s nuclear forces are up to date and serve as a credible deterrent.
Released America’s first fully articulated cyber strategy in 15 years.
New strategy on national biodefense, which better prepares the nation to defend against biological threats.
Administration has announced that it will use whatever means necessary to protect American citizens and servicemen from unjust prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
Released an America first National Security Strategy.
Put in motion the launch of a Space Force as a new branch of the military and relaunched the National Space Council.
Encouraged North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to increase defense spending to their agree-upon levels.
In 2017 alone, there was an increase of more than 4.8 percent in defense spending amongst NATO allies.
Every member state has increased defense spending.
Eight NATO allies will reach the 2 percent benchmark by the end of 2018 and 15 allies are on trade to do so by 2024.
NATO allies spent over $42 billion dollars more on defense since 2016.
Executive order to help military spouses find employment as their families deploy domestically and abroad.


Veterans affairs

Signed the VA Accountability Act and expanded VA telehealth services, walk-in-clinics, and same-day urgent primary and mental health care.
Delivered more appeals decisions – 81,000 – to veterans in a single year than ever before.
Strengthened protections for individuals who come forward and identify programs occurring within the VA.
Signed legislation that provided $86.5 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the largest dollar amount in history for the VA.
VA MISSION Act, enacting sweeping reform to the VA system that:
Consolidated and strengthened VA community care programs.
Funding for the Veterans Choice program.
Expanded eligibility for the Family Caregivers Program.
Gave veterans more access to walk-in care.
Strengthened the VA’s ability to recruit and retain quality healthcare professionals.
Enabled the VA to modernize its assets and infrastructure.
Signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act in 2017, which authorized $2.1 billion in addition funds for the Veterans Choice Program.
Worked to shift veterans’ electronic medical records to the same system used by the Department of Defense, a decades old priority.
Issued an executive order requiring the Secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs to submit a joint plan to provide veterans access to access to mental health treatment as they transition to civilian life.
Increased transparency and accountability at the VA by launching an online “Access and Quality Tool,” providing veterans with access to wait time and quality of care data.
Signed legislation to modernize the claims and appeal process at the VA.
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, providing enhanced educational benefits to veterans, service members, and their family members.
Lifted a 15-year limit on veterans’ access to their educational benefits.
Created a White House VA Hotline to help veterans and principally staffed it with veterans and direct family members of veterans.
VA employees are being held accountable for poor performance, with more than 4,000 VA employees removed, demoted, and suspended so far.
Signed the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act, increasing the number of VA employees that can assist justice-involved veterans.
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:08 AM   #51
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Dear lord you have to be kidding with a post like that.
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:14 AM   #52
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Dear lord you have to be kidding with a post like that.
Ha! Read it and weep!
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:16 AM   #53
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Ha! Read it and weep!
Not a chance - you cut and pasted but a colossal waste of space.
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:26 AM   #54
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Sorry, the first post was copied and pasted incorrectly...I have since updated.
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:48 AM   #55
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Ha! Read it and weep!
I read 5 or 6 lines. Not weeping, just shaking my head. Setting aside all other considerations, the vast majority is completely out of date, as of about 2 months ago.
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Old 05-13-2020, 11:01 AM   #56
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A philosophical rather than political discussion. I don't intend this politically. I'm interested in how people are thinking about their personal past and future right now.

What do you predict for your future?

Thanks for giving this a try SailinAway. But we've got the same few people who insist on going on and on about politics. It gets really tired.
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Old 05-13-2020, 12:16 PM   #57
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At the current rate of testing we will surpass Italy in less than 3 weeks. You are forgetting the outbreak started there 5 weeks ahead of the us so right now the stats are apples and oranges. The US has the second lowest death rate of any developed country. Which one might say is the ultimate measure of success. Testing and death rate per CNN. A trusted source unless maybe it was fake news? I only said China was lying you added the other countries. I think that is a universally accepted fact. As to infection rate, that is to be expected. We are the freest most mobile country on the planet. All of this is material to what? We are all going to get this virus, it is only a matter of when. This will probably be with us forever unless a really effective vaccine is found and we will learn to live with it. Life will go on because it has to. Flattening the curve was the goal. That has been accomplished in most places and many well managed states stayed well below hospital capacity. Look at Florida, 2 million more people than NY, the hospital capacity available never dropped below 43%.
Then surely you knew, or at least now know, that my previous post is not "completely wrong". Actually, it is correct.

It's funny to me that if a person posts well accepted facts that suggest that we've missed a step or two as a nation--such as our testing response has been disappointing--that there is a visceral negative reaction, even from people who know better. You and the people who thanked you know better. Just as Hillcountry knows better than his almost comical magnum opus.

The lady doth protest too much, methinks
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Old 05-13-2020, 12:25 PM   #58
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It seems to me that our problem today is no different than any other that seems to jump on the back of man/woman kind and rides us for a while. Eventually we will throw this rider off and get back to living our lives as we see fit. To feel frustrated is natural, but optimism will get us through this issue.


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Old 05-13-2020, 12:53 PM   #59
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You cannot say that Florida has been a well managed state. Our governor has made mistake after mistake and he has constantly been in the news because of this.

There’s definitely something about the heat down here or the sun or the humidity that has given the people of Florida some kind of extra protection. Our governor just got lucky.
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Old 05-13-2020, 01:06 PM   #60
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Thanks for giving this a try SailinAway. But we've got the same few people who insist on going on and on about politics. It gets really tired.
It does get tiring but your lefty, buddy “bigd” started with with his dig about “the current regime”
Had he not said that I may have thanked him for the post otherwise.
I will defend my ideals and my President.
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Old 05-13-2020, 01:27 PM   #61
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You cannot say that Florida has been a well managed state. Our governor has made mistake after mistake and he has constantly been in the news because of this.

There’s definitely something about the heat down here or the sun or the humidity that has given the people of Florida some kind of extra protection. Our governor just got lucky.
You can't be serious.
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Old 05-13-2020, 04:20 PM   #62
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Ha! Read it and weep!
yada,yada,yada!

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Old 05-13-2020, 04:25 PM   #63
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Ha! Read it and weep!
But, what are you trolling for at this depth???
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Old 05-13-2020, 04:27 PM   #64
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Thanks for giving this a try SailinAway. But we've got the same few people who insist on going on and on about politics. It gets really tired.
How about this, for those who cannot pry themselves away from politics: a new thread, ” Persons Overwhelmed & Overindulged Politically”,with the acronym P.O.O.P. I already have an idea for the first topic, from today’s news.
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Old 05-13-2020, 04:30 PM   #65
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Dickiej, it’s a free country, and that’s one thing that makes it great, along with your freedom to express your opinions on how NOT great it is. However, your post #40 where you rave about all the countries with better health systems, education, and a host of other attributes, invites comments from other forum members, suggesting that you move. They are not being “foolish”.....you might just be the foolish one, thinking you’ll get a pass when you dump on our homeland. Just sayin’.
You need a good book!
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Old 05-13-2020, 04:39 PM   #66
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Glad this thread didn't turn political and negative, so uplifting in these difficult times.

I thought for certain that by mentioning TRUMP in the third line that would have guaranteed a solid philosophical discussion based on the merits.
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Old 05-13-2020, 05:30 PM   #67
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How about this, for those who cannot pry themselves away from politics: a new thread, ” Persons Overwhelmed & Overindulged Politically”,with the acronym P.O.O.P. I already have an idea for the first topic, from today’s news.
Good thought! Not going to help though.
The only acronym that applies to those “persons overwhelmed & overindulged, politically” are sadly afflicted with this acronym...TDS
Add “triggered” to P.O.O.P. and voila, you have POOPT!
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Old 05-13-2020, 07:08 PM   #68
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Glad this thread didn't turn political and negative, so uplifting in these difficult times.

I thought for certain that by mentioning TRUMP in the third line that would have guaranteed a solid philosophical discussion based on the merits.
May I try to explain myself? What I wrote was, "We have four events right now that were unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago: a climate crisis, the Trump phenomenon, the pandemic, and now an economic crash that economists are calling worse than the Great Depression." When I was questioned about the word "phenomenon" I gave the dictionary definition: "a rare or significant fact or event" and I said, "The four events I mentioned are all phenomena." All I was hoping for was to hear people's personal experiences and thoughts about the COVID-19 crisis and how it might change their life in the long term.
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Old 05-13-2020, 07:50 PM   #69
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I think the country will go into a Depression starting in June. In our 60’s we just retired and moved here and these would have been our last really good years. We had plans for a nice new life in our golden years and wanted to take advantage of all the wonderful venues and activities in the area. The virus thing hit a month after we moved so we could barely get acclimated. I am worried about our savings that we are essentially living on right now.

My husband and I can look back and say we had a decent life- lucky really- we worked hard and we had a beautiful family home and lots of land back in NY- and wonderful
experiences and vacations.

Our doctors office is closed for now and we never even were able to
meet him as we are new patients. We had our medical records sent to his office office before we moved. We need preventative care and screenings. We are hoping to stay healthy as long as possible but let’s face it we are getting older and things are bound to creep up.

I am sad about it but I have resolved that our life is over. I cry. I get depressed. I am drinking more wine than I should. Thankfully we have a home and food and some nice neighbors.

Now I only care about our son who has been laid off because of this and is young and lives alone. If he needs help we will be here for him. That is what keeps us going. At a time when the young people should be moving forward in life they now have been dealt this card.

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Old 05-13-2020, 08:38 PM   #70
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I think the country will go into a Depression starting in June. In our 60’s we just retired and moved here and these would have been our last really good years. We had plans for a nice new life in our golden years and wanted to take advantage of all the wonderful venues and activities in the area. The virus thing hit a month after we moved so we could barely get acclimated. I am worried about our savings that we are essentially living on right now.

My husband and I can look back and say we had a decent life- lucky really- we worked hard and we had a beautiful family home and lots of land back in NY- and wonderful
experiences and vacations.

Our doctors office is closed for now and we never even were able to
meet him as we are new patients. We had our medical records sent to his office office before we moved. We need preventative care and screenings. We are hoping to stay healthy as long as possible but let’s face it we are getting older and things are bound to creep up.

I am sad about it but I have resolved that our life is over. I cry. I get depressed. I am drinking more wine than I should. Thankfully we have a home and food and done nice neighbors.

Now I only care about our son who has been laid off because of this and is young and lives alone. If he needs help we will be here for him. That is what keeps us going. At a time when the young people should be moving forward in life they now have been dealt this card.
You need to seek help. That is a very poor outlook on life and it won't serve you well in your retirement years. I wish you the best.

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Old 05-13-2020, 08:44 PM   #71
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I think the country will go into a Depression starting in June. In our 60’s we just retired and moved here and these would have been our last really good years. We had plans for a nice new life in our golden years and wanted to take advantage of all the wonderful venues and activities in the area. The virus thing hit a month after we moved so we could barely get acclimated. I am worried about our savings that we are essentially living on right now.

My husband and I can look back and say we had a decent life- lucky really- we worked hard and we had a beautiful family home and lots of land back in NY- and wonderful
experiences and vacations.

Our doctors office is closed for now and we never even were able to
meet him as we are new patients. We had our medical records sent to his office office before we moved. We need preventative care and screenings. We are hoping to stay healthy as long as possible but let’s face it we are getting older and things are bound to creep up.

I am sad about it but I have resolved that our life is over. I cry. I get depressed. I am drinking more wine than I should. Thankfully we have a home and food and done nice neighbors.

Now I only care about our son who has been laid off because of this and is young and lives alone. If he needs help we will be here for him. That is what keeps us going. At a time when the young people should be moving forward in life they now have been dealt this card.
My God man...relax will ya! It’s a real bad flu not the end of the world!

The liquor stores remain essential. I highly recommend You visit soon and pickup a Bottle of high end Cabernet and a straw!

Dan
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:17 PM   #72
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Map...please seek help....you could easily live another 10-15-20 years and you should have things to look forward to. And ditch the alcohol....it's a depressive. Go for long walks and enjoy the beauty of simple things. Volunteer. Reach out for support. My wife and I are 67 and we still work three days a week helping people. We stopped drinking years ago and our lives improved markedly. This will pass, and life marches on.
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Old 05-13-2020, 09:27 PM   #73
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My God man...relax will ya! It’s a real bad flu not the end of the world!

The liquor stores remain essential. I highly recommend You visit soon and pickup a Bottle of high end Cabernet and a straw!

Dan
Dan, please! Have a heart! Your response to this person who is really hurting is shockingly lacking in compassion. I hope that she is able to get some help for her feelings of desperation. Depression is a dreadful affliction. Please get some help, map. Best of luck.
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Old 05-14-2020, 03:02 AM   #74
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Dan, please! Have a heart! Your response to this person who is really hurting is shockingly lacking in compassion. I hope that she is able to get some help for her feelings of desperation. Depression is a dreadful affliction. Please get some help, map. Best of luck.
In your post, #24, you reprimanded me for criticizing what I thought was an insensitive post.

Now, here...

Pick a team, would you?

May God bless you, map!
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Old 05-14-2020, 04:49 AM   #75
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Ironically we chose the NH community we moved to for the social opportunities it offered. We lived in the woods all our lives with no neighbors but because we both worked full time dealing with the public it was a welcome retreat. But we knew when we retired it would not be a good lifestyle to age into with limited social contact so here we are.

Thankfully we have met some nice people here but, of course, the social activities are not happening.

Really I am ok. I have come to terms with a certain level of acceptance of this whole situation. After all, we have no control over it. Let go and let God. I do believe (spiritually) there is a reason for everything. Life is what happens when you are making other plans, as they say.
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Old 05-14-2020, 05:05 AM   #76
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Map...please seek help....you could easily live another 10-15-20 years and you should have things to look forward to. And ditch the alcohol....it's a depressive. Go for long walks and enjoy the beauty of simple things. Volunteer. Reach out for support. My wife and I are 67 and we still work three days a week helping people. We stopped drinking years ago and our lives improved markedly. This will pass, and life marches on.
Yes. I do exercise every day, take walks by the lake, etc. Getting outside helps. I get depressed and then I snap out of it and then i get depressed again. I will not give up my alcohol as it relaxes my over active mind. I do not sleep very well. I do try to limit it to weekends and maybe once or twice during the week will have a glass or 2 of wine, so it is not like I am an alkie. But it is more than I usually would have. Plus- this Friday we have a ZOOM meeting for Happy Hour with our old NY friends!

I am going to see if I can volunteer for something but I do not want to be wearing the darn mask. Wearing the mask and seeing others wearing it makes me very frustrated and depressed. I can't stand the whole making the mask a fashion statement thing and the whole "we are all in this together" thing. Ra ra ra - let's take a photo with our masks on. Pleeeease....

My husband is floundering right now. He joined the local range and as soon as he sent the check it closed. He never got to use it. We still have not heard what they are going to do in terms of opening or a refund or whatever. This is his main hobby and he was so looking forward to going. Why a range cannot be open is beyond me. Having no property where we live now he cannot even go outside to practice. Where we used to live we had a ton of acreage. Before he retired he talked of maybe working part-time at Lowes or something like that but he really did not get a chance to find his way yet as he is only retired a couple of months and we moved and everything.

In terms of looking forward to things in the future, well, I was and this happened- all I know is we are not getting any younger and at this age the time is NOW. Well- at least it would have been now. My mother had breast cancer at age 65. I am 64. My grandmother had ovarian cancer at age 61. I worked in healthcare all my life so I have seen it all.

I am actually very future oriented- have been all my life. A big planner and all that. As soon as I would do one thing I was already on to the next one. But right now I do not see the next one. MY calendar is essentially empty.

Don't get me wrong. I am very task oriented and I keep busy with the little things in life and the day goes pretty fast amazingly.

I do not want to sound like "woa is me" because we are luckier than most. As I said, I feel more sorry for the younger folks who have plans- school. graduation, weddings. careers, having children. buying a house, travel, etc.

I can handle my sadness. But I am a realist and I am hoping I am way off on my opinion and everything will end up being gumdrops and lollipops.

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Old 05-14-2020, 05:07 AM   #77
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My God man...relax will ya! It’s a real bad flu not the end of the world!

The liquor stores remain essential. I highly recommend You visit soon and pickup a Bottle of high end Cabernet and a straw!

Dan
LOL! I don't do RED- I'm a White drinker.
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Old 05-14-2020, 07:02 AM   #78
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Dan, please! Have a heart! Your response to this person who is really hurting is shockingly lacking in compassion. I hope that she is able to get some help for her feelings of desperation. Depression is a dreadful affliction. Please get some help, map. Best of luck.
I wasn't trying to be heartless and apologize if I came across that way. I was merely trying to inject a dose of reality to map which can be the best form of compassion to those living on the outer edges...

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Old 05-14-2020, 07:09 AM   #79
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LOL! I don't do RED- I'm a White drinker.
Might I recommend Stags Leap chardonnay then?...You will love it, especially if shared with the one you love!

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Old 05-14-2020, 08:47 AM   #80
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What ever happened to all the grown ups?
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Old 05-14-2020, 10:04 AM   #81
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Ironically we chose the NH community we moved to for the social opportunities it offered. We lived in the woods all our lives with no neighbors but because we both worked full time dealing with the public it was a welcome retreat. But we knew when we retired it would not be a good lifestyle to age into with limited social contact so here we are.

Thankfully we have met some nice people here but, of course, the social activities are not happening.

Really I am ok. I have come to terms with a certain level of acceptance of this whole situation. After all, we have no control over it. Let go and let God. I do believe (spiritually) there is a reason for everything. Life is what happens when you are making other plans, as they say.

I just want you to know that I have my good days and bad days too. I have been totally isolated since the end of February, and I finally decided that it was safe to let my son come and visit me on my lanai outside 25 feet away. I had the umbrella set up a couple of days early and put some chairs over there for him. And then Mother’s Day came and it decided to rain. Luckily, my son sucked it up, and sat under the umbrella in the pool to stay dry. LOL. Sometimes I feel like I have the worst luck of anyone.

I am a breast cancer survivor. I grew my own organic vegetables starting back in the 70s and always lived a healthy lifestyle. I was shocked that in my 50s I was diagnosed with cancer that was caused by some toxins in my environment.
I have also had a meltdown post on here. It seems like I have worked so hard in the last 15 + years to get stronger, I’ve also had to gain 35 pounds because of osteoporosis drugs that made me so sick I was not able to keep anything down. It seems like all I’m trying to do is recover from something. At my age, my mother was so healthy compared to me.
The thought of my children and grandchildren coming to visit me often was a thing that kept me motivated. Of course, this has all changed and my grandchildren who are in Baltimore have not been able to come at all.

As hard as it is for me to believe, I’m going to be 70 on May 26. My daughter and her family as well as my youngest son were all going to drag me over to Disney World So we could have a week just hanging out together and ordering room service by the pool. They were going to go to Disney and then I would rest until the next day. Nothing to look forward to now.
The only thing that gets me through is that I have a beautiful home with a beautiful pool and I have property that I can go out and enjoy.

You mentioned you moved from an area where you had lots of land and it sounds to me like you may be missing that as well. When I first moved here, I chose another development that had a community pool and tennis courts and a big meeting room where they had all kinds of activities for all the residents to do. I thought I wanted that lifestyle, but I was wrong.

I need to have my own space and be able to do my own thing. Have you asked yourself if part of the problem is you chose the wrong place to live? If you had some property and your husband could go out and shoot in his backyard, would that improve your situation? You don’t have to be stuck with a wrong decision.
We don’t all consider this to be just like the flu. Many of us are taking it very seriously.
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Old 05-14-2020, 10:24 AM   #82
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We don’t all consider this to be just like the flu. Many of us are taking it very seriously.
The flu/influenza can also be serious. It is responsible for ten of thousands of deaths every year. Influenza and Covid-19 are similar in this way. Both can cause tens of thousands to die. However, a large percentage do not die and recover from it. I think what is lost during this entire pandemic is many may carry it but never get sick or exhibit symptoms. A large percentage who do get sick from it or exhibit symptoms will be mild enough to treat and recover at home and not require hospitalization, just like influenza. The sensational media do not talk about the positive only the deaths.
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Old 05-14-2020, 10:34 AM   #83
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I did not mean to imply that the flu is not serious. The little flower girl in my daughter’s wedding who suffered from down syndrome and other issues and was not able to be vaccinated against the flu died four years ago from complications of the flu. It was beyond devastating!
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Old 05-15-2020, 05:56 AM   #84
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Yesterday was the quintessential New England spring day—I hope all my forum friends were able to get out and enjoy. As addressed throughout this thread, finding joy and appreciation in the little things will help get through this.

My family was up early. My two kids and I worked on the driveway, spreading and leveling 2 yards of rock. They were unbelievable workers, stopping only to hydrate. I teach them that work is good.

We then had lunch on the screen porch followed by our first family excursion with both Boatie Two and Jettie One. My wife captained B2 for her first time from uncovering/launching to navigating (I followed on J1, zipping around) to anchoring to beaching and tying up upon our return. She nailed it.

While my wife was anchored out in a quiet cove, preparing snacks, I took the kids to explore Moultonborough Bay.

After snacks, I devised a great way to tie up J1 to B2. I teach my kids to see solutions, not problems.

We returned around five, stopping at Ambrose Cove for overpriced fuel, and had a great steak dinner followed by a walk around camp and sunset.

When the temps started to drop, we retreated to camp, cuddled under oversized blankets and watched National Treasure 2 followed by reading (Doc).

If this is as good as it gets, it's pretty damned good.

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Old 05-15-2020, 06:17 AM   #85
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Yesterday was the quintessential New England spring day—I hope all my forum friends were able to get out and enjoy. As addressed throughout this thread, finding joy and appreciation in the little things will help get through this.

My family was up early. My two kids and I worked on the driveway, spreading and leveling 2 yards of rock. They were unbelievable workers, stopping only to hydrate. I teach them that work is good.

We then had lunch on the screen porch followed by our first family excursion with both Boatie Two and Jettie One. My wife captained B2 for her first time from uncovering/launching to navigating (I followed on J1, zipping around) to anchoring to beaching and tying up upon our return. She nailed it.

While my wife was anchored out in a quiet cove, preparing snacks, I took the kids to explore Moultonborough Bay.

After snacks, I devised a great way to tie up J1 to B2. I teach my kids to see solutions, not problems.

We returned around five, stopping at Ambrose Cove for overpriced fuel, and had a great steak dinner followed by a walk around camp and sunset.

When the temps started to drop, we retreated to camp, cuddled under oversized blankets and watched National Treasure 2 followed by reading (Doc).

If this is as good as it gets, it's pretty damned good.

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Wow....what a wonderful day. You set a great example for your kids.
It's nice that you've taught your wife some boating skills because you never know when an emergency might require her to take the wheel..
I know that most guys don't like to give up the captains chair but I love it when I see a confident, competent lady at the helm.
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Old 05-15-2020, 06:57 AM   #86
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I just want you to know that I have my good days and bad days too. I have been totally isolated since the end of February, and I finally decided that it was safe to let my son come and visit me on my lanai outside 25 feet away. I had the umbrella set up a couple of days early and put some chairs over there for him. And then Mother’s Day came and it decided to rain. Luckily, my son sucked it up, and sat under the umbrella in the pool to stay dry. LOL. Sometimes I feel like I have the worst luck of anyone.

I am a breast cancer survivor. I grew my own organic vegetables starting back in the 70s and always lived a healthy lifestyle. I was shocked that in my 50s I was diagnosed with cancer that was caused by some toxins in my environment.
I have also had a meltdown post on here. It seems like I have worked so hard in the last 15 + years to get stronger, I’ve also had to gain 35 pounds because of osteoporosis drugs that made me so sick I was not able to keep anything down. It seems like all I’m trying to do is recover from something. At my age, my mother was so healthy compared to me.
The thought of my children and grandchildren coming to visit me often was a thing that kept me motivated. Of course, this has all changed and my grandchildren who are in Baltimore have not been able to come at all.

As hard as it is for me to believe, I’m going to be 70 on May 26. My daughter and her family as well as my youngest son were all going to drag me over to Disney World So we could have a week just hanging out together and ordering room service by the pool. They were going to go to Disney and then I would rest until the next day. Nothing to look forward to now.
The only thing that gets me through is that I have a beautiful home with a beautiful pool and I have property that I can go out and enjoy.

You mentioned you moved from an area where you had lots of land and it sounds to me like you may be missing that as well. When I first moved here, I chose another development that had a community pool and tennis courts and a big meeting room where they had all kinds of activities for all the residents to do. I thought I wanted that lifestyle, but I was wrong.

I need to have my own space and be able to do my own thing. Have you asked yourself if part of the problem is you chose the wrong place to live? If you had some property and your husband could go out and shoot in his backyard, would that improve your situation? You don’t have to be stuck with a wrong decision.
We don’t all consider this to be just like the flu. Many of us are taking it very seriously.
Wow. I just visited a friend of mine yesterday in Eaton. It was her 70th birthday as well. She lives alone in a remote location. Just moved there from another state where she lived in the city a year ago. She loves it but admits she has not been able to meet many people and especially now.

I feel for you being a cancer survivor and it makes this virus thing all the more scary for you and then also having your plans being with your family destroyed. Just terrible.

I try to have faith but I am obviously not doing a good job of it. Have to work on it more.

We chose this brand new house also for the price (even though if you ask me all the homes are over priced in NH for what they are - especially compared to the family home we sold in NY) and low maintenance. It is actually like a cottage- one level. We felt as we age we should not be isolated and also if we did not move now it would only be harder later.

I never want to go through moving again. We had to move to a rental first before this house was finished and my husband was able to retire. Then we had to move again- here- in the winter. Downsizing was a ton of work as well- and we are not hoarders by any stretch. And we are still dealing with the builder and some problems with the house which does not lend to a good feeling. I want to make this a home- not just a house. But that includes having family visit as you mentioned yourself.

I need some social or I will go bonkers. I am not sure if this was right or not but when I get out into nature - though I have to drive to it- it does help a lot. I can walk to the boardwalk so that is good also.

If I can get out onto the lake on the MS Mt Washington or mail boats that will be good for me also. But who knows if that will happen this year. We cannot afford the expense and don't want the hassle of owning a boat. Not like we live on the water either. Wish I had my own pool though as the one here is small and cold and a lot of kids and anyway it isn't opening now. If I can find a quiet lake beach to launch my floaty in the summer I will love that. But they need to have bathrooms open at these parks.

Anyway, all we can do is hang in there and take one day at a time.
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Old 05-15-2020, 06:59 AM   #87
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Might I recommend Stags Leap chardonnay then?...You will love it, especially if shared with the one you love!

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That is what I am drinking tonight for the Zoom Happy Hour with our NYC friends!

Hubby is not a drinker. He will probably have some blackberry brandy- yuk! LOL!
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Old 05-15-2020, 07:13 AM   #88
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That is what I am drinking tonight for the Zoom Happy Hour with our NYC friends!

Hubby is not a drinker. He will probably have some blackberry brandy- yuk! LOL!
I had to laugh when you mentioned blackberry brandy. My father turned me onto this as a way to stay warm before going out on the snowmobile.
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:59 PM   #89
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I'm guessing one of our own Forum Members was involved with this...

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Old 05-18-2020, 09:56 PM   #90
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I find it ironic, as with most of this, that non residents can go to a mini golf Course now, but not allowed to golf or use a driving range
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Old 05-20-2020, 09:10 PM   #91
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I had to laugh when you mentioned blackberry brandy. My father turned me onto this as a way to stay warm before going out on the snowmobile.

My husband always takes a bottle when he goes away hunting with his buddies for the week.
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