The after-election hysteria evidenced by those who think a new president will have more than just a symbolic effect, positive or negative, on where things are going in our immediate future was predictable. The drop in the stock market after election day is indicative of nothing more than the current testosterone levels of its investors and traders.

Social Security, once decried as evidence of socialism in the U.S. by conservatives, is now being pointed to as an institution under threat from the new president before he’s spent even one day in office. Reality has been pushing many of us to the realization that no one in this country will be able to live solely on their retirement Social Security, especially now that deregulators have allowed the corruption of laissez-faire capitalism to loot the retirement accounts that could have provided the balance of income necessary to retire.

Disenchanted Republicans are once again decrying tax-and-spend liberals just as their own two-term president outspent every Democrat in history in the last eight years and ballooned the deficit past the point of possible repayment. Since virtually all of our taxes go to repayment of the interest on what the Fed “loans” us to fund the U.S. government every year, discussions about tax raises are ludicrous. The government funds virtually all of its programs, from defense spending to social services by writing worthless checks, backed by an even more worthless promise to pay.

The world’s economy is now fueled more by a willingness to go further into debt than by any real hope of ending debt. The horizon is darkening not due to the election, but by the direction we have taken over the last century.

Even as Americans sense the possibility of greater unity and purpose, we’re headed back to a time, like it or not, when families and communities will have to fend for themselves. Any effort to bring us closer to tolerance and a willingness to take responsibility for the security and stability of our extended families and community cannot be viewed disparagingly, except by those who have lost their generosity of spirit and live only in selfish fear of losing their personal wealth.

If a tiny country in the midst of the Himalayas can utilize a principle of decision-making measured not only by gross national product but also by gross national happiness ‒ and make it work ‒ surely such an advanced and morally superior nation as the U.S. can find our way forward.

James BlueWolf is an artist and writer. He lives in Nice.

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