[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?

[telescope115]

I’ve seen that saying, that progression of our human nature, attributed to a couple different people, one was G.K. Chesterton, and I forget the other. Whoever first realized it and put it to paper certainly described it accurately.

I agree with you on where we are in that cycle. Thank God Trump came along when he did. He’s not perfect, but he’s what we need right now.

I’m an amateur astronomer, have been for almost 50 years, and my telescope is a refracting telescope with 3 lenses that are 115 millimeters in diameter. For lack of more creativity choosing a screen name, It just popped into my head to use that.