I have really bad ankles, well mostly just one now since one joint is now artificial. Some days I can go 3-4 miles and other days it is very hard to go a mile in an hour. I would be in big trouble if I lived in a dense city. Much easier to live in suburbs where I can drive to most places and not have to walk much, particularly when dealing with things like groceries. And, no, bike riding doesn't help. Fortunately I like living in suburbs...and I have lived in dense areas before and gone a year here and there not using a car.

Hear, hear. Too many folks have the wrong idea on what is really a necessity and how well folks lived 50 years (or more) ago.

Well I guess me like all the other people who trusted that over time investments would likely grow faster than 3.5% are just stupid then. Guess I'll just have to live with my foolishness in retirement on my 7 figure backup fund developed by not paying off a mortgage early. Making a blanket statement like you did shows what fucking moron you are.

People spend less today for food as percentage of income than 20, 30, or 50 years ago. A lot of bitching about nothing in this article and comments since folks are living much better today than the past.

So everyone who lived before 1950s was miserable - got it. Sorry that you are so idiotic.

You really need help - please seek it out. In the meantime get of internet and go outside and live a little.

Could be different experiences but I saw this a multiple locations. Robbins AFB was a nightmare - in the short time I was there they had two separate murder for hire type rings, our division lead contracting officer has his office carpet cut out looking for evidence of DNA for sex abuse, I was practiced by GO for cancelling bad contracts but my civilian leaders were bent out of shape since they were good ole boys, the foremen in one of the depot shops were known as the Dodge County Mafia...hell, I could go on. A buddy said RAFB was GA middle class welfare support system.

It was better at Redstone but still not good (as I relayed in my previous post). And I have other stories from other places...

Given to much over dramatizing this are you? Perhaps go back on your meds...

It is a shame these guys weren't around ~75K years ago when there was a real doomsday htreat.

I replied similar to the parent for the same reason. Can't blame me for not RTA though...

There are regular sonic booms over Macon, GA area, and over many other areas of US. Those military jets have to be tested...

First supersonic jet made in America? Besides not knowing any aviation history, those dudes are into to many desert drugs to be trust worthy.

So much outdated nonsense. I don't think a civilian in DoD has been drug tested in over 20 years (unless special programs). The pay is not much less than similar jobs on outside, and the reason the line is long to join fed civil service is because it is pretty sweet package. So, no the fed pays pretty well for similar work (if you can find those that actually work). And the extra "burden" on sensitive info is a joke. True happening: when I joined my last office I was badly used - no skin off my nose since I was retiring in a few years anyways and got paid good money reagrdless. Early on I struggled with a couple reports that I had no training or familiarity with, especially since covid started and we were work from home. I voiced my frustration to a coworker one day that I was still figuring out the ropes. He said, "Well you're not expected to do anything, that is why we have support contractors. Just give it to one of them". Absolutely disgusting...but the attitude of 90% of civil servants in the whole division.

I don't think this is true at all. I think I was very well compensated all things considered and I was a far more productive civil servant that the vast majority of folks I came in contact with (over 40K gov and contractor at my last location). Heck, I was getting over 20+% locality pay for one of the cheapest places in the country to live. And my retirement pension is pretty damn good on top of it.

If America is about to fall then most other countries are completely screwed. US is doing very well historically speaking, and in comparison to other countries is doing outstandingly well.