np.that was the first up on the googles.
but death of despair is a thing,and there are many factors.not all of them presidential races,or military engagements.(although you make a solid point in regards to military suicides,and your assumptions have been confirmed).
there is a plethora of solid academic studies that address this trend,but the media remains silent.
because death and despair do not sell,nor conform to a particular narrative.
I read a book a few years ago by chris hedges and joe sacco called "days of destruction,days of revolt".where they traveled the country to these pockets of America called "sacrifice zones" and it is literally heartbreaking the stories in this book.
but all we get is "everything is awesome!",with a timid sprinkling of controversy,which is usually created to conform to a particular political narrative,to attack the "other".
narratives that I pushback on the daily.
because somethings ARE awesome,and some people are doing really well.
and that is great! no judgement from me on that point,but to ignore whole swaths of the population simply because it would reveal an uncomfortable truth to the American people,is not only grotesque in it's calculated cynicism,but also dishonest and manipulative to it's core.
how can we say "we the people",or address the problems facing our nation,if we are literally ghosting entire populations from not only participation,but from basic human acknowledgment that they exist at all?
now HOW are we going to address that? well,that is the actual politics.
but shouldn't recognizing the issue be a first step?
it is such a disgrace.
and now I am sad.
time to go drink myself into oblivion.
Caption this Meme
