[telescope115]

Yeah, I have my mental model, too. I guess we work out what works for us, mentally to try to make sense of everything, good and bad.

I only know one thing for sure- this ain’t the world we grew up in. I’m 70, and I do remember better times.

[Phlyer]

I’m 70, and I do remember better times.

There is an old saying, and I don't remember the exact wording, but it goes something like this:

From totalitarianism comes revolution, from revolution comes freedom, from freedom comes prosperity, from prosperity comes complacency, from complacency comes dependency, and from dependency comes totalitarianism.

We're somewhere in the complacency/dependency region, and we see the sorts of polarization between those who want even more nanny-state coddling and those who still want to be personally free. And I absolutely agree, I too can remember a time when the US was firmly in prosperity and freedom - including the freedom to fail, and to try again.

I think the cycle is just about inevitable, but it may be that Trump (and perhaps someone like Vance after him) can stave off the next totalitarian cycle until after we're dead. It's a sad thing, but that's about the best I can hope for.

PS Why did you choose telescope 115 for your screen name?