Joe, you sound like an embittered man

G'day, Joe.

Having read your article, I suspect that you don't mind the people and surroundings in amongst which you live at all really. And you do have a computer!  I've retired long ago now, and was serving in the military during the years in which you say you were a young boy. I've lived in six countries and, despite having worked probably 56 to 60 hours a week for most of that time, I never managed to buy myself into the middle class. Oh, that I had!

I've toured, in two visits, 31 of your states, possibly more than most Americans, and I found that the average person, at least in rural America, is still a friendly, hospitable and jovial character, willing for the most part to help all those around him.

I think that you sound like an embittered man, totally engrossed in the hype and glitz of today's offerings, but envious of and unable to be like those who are still not affected by the soft option.

I now live in Australia, a (fortunately) underpopulated country trying it's damnedest to emulate it's big brother across the Pacific, when already and for most of its history it has already copied most of the worst you have to offer. I am able, without any sense of guilt, to virtually live on the beach, fish in the surf, walk and sunbathe (with or without clothes), to travel to and camp in totally untrammeled forests and clearings, enjoy sleeping out under the stars and, moreover, when I feel like it, return to my chosen cocoon of a retirement village, complete with all that civilization has to offer. You can still do all of these things in your country, if you so wish. You have vast open spaces, just as we have, and what the ever present law doesn't see you can still get away with.

So my suggestion is, get a life and start to live it again. Let the drug pushers and addicts poison each other, let the soap opera makers and glued-in idiots poison each others' minds, let the warmongers and the terrorists kill each other, it's what they all get high on. Just settle back down, and be like you were when you were a boy -- it's easy.

In your language, have a good day!

Regards,

John
Murwillumbah, Australia

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Thanks John!

It is not often I get the solution to all of life's problems handed to me in a single email.

In profound gratitude,

Joe