I think your original comment was sincere and that you mean no disrespect by it, but let me share where I'm coming from.
First of all, when I was in the military, I understood how to get by on very little. I lived it. Both my income and my lifestyle did not allow for much in the way of choice, nor much in the way of extravvagance. I found that I could live like that, simply, where one can be happy to just have a seat at the end of a long day.
That said, choosing to live simply, and being forced to do so by government edict are two different things. I have anticipated a SHTF scenario, and believe that I could return to more simplicity. But I would not want to live like that for the long term, because I know the taste of freedom.
It's not whether one can live in simplicity, it's a question of whether one should be forced to for an extended period of time.
My first comment WAS sincere and I was formulating my thoughts from a different perspecftive than from what the comments back at me were coming from
I wasn't going to get into a pissing match ... I've been here too long ... I was going to let the thread die ... but I DO appreciate your comment