@dannyboy I wholeheartedly agree, I'm also in my early 40's and was born into this broken system, it's all I know. Change is scary, I'm not a fan of it myself, but in the end it will make us stronger and healthier as a nation. I know we can do this! I too wonder what we'll look like in 10, 15, 20 years from now, it's a scary and exciting thought!
@avon This is why I've lurked on this site for years (and only recently started posting more) -- With the accuracy rate of these predictions it's nice to know things can actually turn out well, as long as we keep moving toward making those positive predictions reality.
In fact, my favorite prediction is one I definitely won't be alive to see. @Jeanne-mayell's own:
- I see men with beards and suits. We are still here! (Jeanne Mayell)
I'm hopeful if she takes everyone farther ahead than the 2020s at the next read the future night that I am able to see some of these bearded suits too to see what they're up to and what things look like :-).
@dannyboy. I very much doubt that we're talking about so much change that you'd be afraid of it. What they are suggesting sounds more like it was in the 1970's when the minimum wage was high enough that you could afford to get your own apartment when you got your first job, and when CEO salaries were not 50 times higher than the lowest paid employee but more like 5 times higher.
When I think of how much departure from the forty-year system they are talking about, I think of Roosevelt and the New Deal. Roosevelt added Social Security and health care for the elderly and disabled. Before Social Security, the elderly had the highest suicide rate of any group. It dropped after Roosevelt. He didn't create a socialist system, but a capitalist system that was equitable and had a safety net. We've lost that in the last forty years.
In today's world it would mean more government investment in infrastructure, like a public transportation system that is efficient, accessible and affordable so that most people would prefer hopping a train to driving a car to get somewhere. I remember skiing in Switzerland in the 1970's seeing hundreds of Swiss families in their ski boots, polls in tow, hopping off the trains for a day skiing adventure. The trains were that good, that accessible, and that cheap that it was easier than driving. We could move in that direction in this country.
It means implementing a Green agenda, like AOC's Green new Deal. Also he now advocates free higher education for kids whose families make less than $125K a year. So he's not advocating free higher education for the rich, but for the middle class. And lowering Medicare to age 60, again, not Medicare for all, but for more people.
It's not a huge change, but it takes the edge off of inequality.
In other words, it is not the end of the market system you know, but a fairer system that allows people to gain some wealth, while also sustaining people at the lower ends of the spectrum.
Now the more knowledgeable people can come in and correct me. I'm not a Biden expert. I never supported him before, but he's the nominee now and what I'm reading gives me hope.
@dannyboy that is a good one! Makes you wonder.
I've been a lurker for years as well and it's amazing to see some of these predictions coming true with crazy accuracy at times! The visions people have sound so beautiful, the pictures they paint of us loving the earth again give me the greatest hope. I know we'll be ok in the end, it's just the journey is downright bonkers at times.
@jeanne-mayell In the year 2020, everything is frightening :P. Thanks for the explanation! I've been so focused on reading the final pages of both the election and the next school year, I didn't think to try and look down the paths a Biden Presidency could bring. I'll see what I can see, maybe throw some cards and report back!
@DannyBoy, I totally understand your fear. We have the same in Europe and felt frustrated because we cannot vote in the States while the US dictates a lot of global policies (think the climate or nuclear agreements with Iran).
I firmly believe that the downward spiral started in 2016. Not just because Trump was elected, but all roads led to that horror year. And in a perfect storm it all started to implode; only coming to a boil this year.
Having a structure, that has been in place for so long, breaking up hurts, but if we don't do it, it will fester. So yeah, here's hoping the breaking will continue. If Biden does it well I can see a different America on the horizon. One that has joined the 21st century. The bigots will still be there, but silenced by the majority.
As a child of the 70s/80s (I'm in my 40s as well) the US was a shining example for most Europeans in the 80s. We grew up watching TV shows that showed the US awesome and amazing in every way. In the 90s/00s that image cracked.
Here's to an America that *becomes* the ideal, the image we all believed in.
Stay safe.
@jeanne-mayell @avon @share @allen Biden was not my first choice, but in the last few months it seemed obvious that out of all the candidates, he has the strongest capacity to show compassion, empathy, and healing. VP pick will be very important. Also, considering that I'm close to Biden's age, I can strongly relate that he's fully capable of having taken all of his experiences, successes, failures, and lessons into a "constructed knowing" level. I am hoping so.
But, I have another concern and raise it because I don't know what to think. Much is being discussed today about the Dems not being tough enough: not tough enough on impeachment, not touch enough in advertising and commercials. Have also read that the Republicans laugh about the lack of willingness of Dems to get really strong and pointed. So, on the one hand, I want them to be as strong as those who write THE LINCOLN PROJECT, but, on the other hand, am glad that they aren't as vindictive and cruel as the GOP and appear more willing to stand up on principle. What do we need from the Dems right now regarding Bill Barr's corruption? Trump's corruptions? Impeachment for Barr now? A second impeachment for Trump? Or prayer!
@share - I am just catching up on this thread. I love your reading for Biden! Much of this resonates with me. I particularly love the Art card for his running mate. I pulled for Biden and Harris on another thread and got The Lovers. A good partnership, perhaps? Thanks for sharing.
@cc21 thank you for your kind words. Yes the lovers card is definitely suitable for their partnership. I see them as both very honest and ready to take this professional relationship to the level of optimistic healing.
share the love and light
I JUST LOVED your Biden reading! Thank you! ?
While reading it and afterwards I suddenly started hearing "TURN, TURN, TURN" by the byrds. I feel that's the song that resonates with me as to why we have Biden as the candidate now. I also feel that when I key in on Biden that he didn't want to do this, but he felt compelled by not only his dear Beau's last spoken wish (that his dad would run for POTUS) but he sincerely wants to help our nation.
God Bless him... ? ❤️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVOJla2vYx8