Doom And Gloom

Recently I read the posting "American Death Watch" over at Stogie's site, Saberpoint. I find myself in agreement with the thesis therein.

The future of America does indeed look bleak.

Clearly, we are on an unsustainable path on many levels, not the least of which is economically. Those on the dole in its many manifestations well exceed the tax base.

For one thing, a tsunami of aging and ailing Baby Boomers is about to sweep over America. Right now, many nursing homes cost over $15,000 a month. Better ones cost more! it’s nearly impossible to find a nursing home that costs anywhere near only $3000/month! I’m speaking only of room and board — not medical care, hand feedings for the helpless, laundry, and the like. All of those services cost extra.

One can enter late in life with what should be adequate personal funding and end up on Medicaid within three years or less.  Some 80% of nursing home residents are on Medicaid right now.  80%!  And I can't see that the percentage will decrease with the tsunami about to hit us.

Our leaders, so-called experts of various types, and most Americans are ignoring those incontestable facts I've mentioned above.

On top of the doom and gloom, we have an outageously contentious blogosphere.   People are striking out and shunning each other in ways I've never seen over the past seven years that I've been blogging.

Part of the present ugliness is a normal part of blogging during an election year. Nevertheless, there is a darker element to the ugliness these days.  People who basically agree politically, ideologically, and spiritually are launching barbs all the time.

Now, I'm not one to run from a contentious debate.  I actually enjoy such discussions.  And, yes, I occasionally hurl some barbs of my own.  That said, I have to ask this question:

What are we accomplishing by picking at each other so much?

In my view, we need to post, at least occasionally, something uplifting.  If people don't comment to such postings, well, they don't comment and rush off to find an argument.  Blogging should consist of more than carping all the time.

Here at Always On Watch, Sam and I will continue to hammer away at political and social issues.  We are going to lighten up from time to time, however.  May readers of this blog take a few moments to enjoy such material! Life is more than bitching and moaning and tearing each other down.