To all you flag-wavers out there:

I never really thought of the U.S. as a "Land of Opportunity" or as "The Land of the Free and the Brave"

...and I never viewed it as a place of "Liberty and Justice for All"

I just think it's pretty much like most any other country:  another "Socialist Republic" type society, concerned mostly with its "system" and the protocols within, one adherent to its own taboos with their dogmas and stigmas, and comprising the usual social ranking among its citizenry---nurturing and supporting the "important" ones who "matter" while disregarding and ignoring those considered "in the way" or just plain "useless".  And willing to "lock away" anyone deemed a "nuisance" or a "menace".

Any time I hear a flag-waver go on about "our great Constitution and Bill of Rights" or how "America is the greatest country in history" I get the image of either a "snake oil salesman" making grandiose claims about his products or of a pick-up artist who, after spotting a pretty lady at a bar or restaurant, moseys on over to her and starts boasting and bragging about himself and how "great" he is (along with all his other "virtues" and accomplishments) in hopes he'll make a good enough impression on her she'll either go home with him or take him home with her.

Likewise, the U.S. comes across as this pompous megalomaniac country constantly trying overzealously to impress the rest of the world with how "great" it is and how "superior" its brand of government is compared to everyone else's.

                                             I'll make it clear ....

I believe the COVID-19 virus is real and quite the threat and menace they say it is.

However, I also believe the government and pharmaceutical companies are taking advantage of the crisis to advance a few agendas of their own.

I also believe that covert world government organizations are taking advantage of this current situation for purposes of social experimentation, using the world's population as "guinea pigs" and "lab rats", to test how far they can succeed in various endeavors at psychological control of large masses at one time (like a "hands off" brand of psycho-tyranny).

And, while I believe face masks to be somewhat effective at stifling the spread of COVID-19, I still don't think of them as being so on the level the media and medical experts are touting them to be (ever-so-passionately).  They're more along the line of the best "better than nothing" solution they can come up with at this time (I'm guessing a 30% to 40% effectiveness rate).

Hardly an "ultimate panacea".

 Back in the 1980s, when all those layoffs from various industries occurred, you would see images of people standing in line at the soup kitchens waiting for a free meal.

Now, in 2020, with all the business closures due to COVID-19, you once again see charitable outfits passing out "care packages" to those suffering financial loss resulting from no longer receiving paychecks, comprising food and basic essentials.

But it's not people standing in line one sees----it's a line of cars, backed up for blocks around, waiting for volunteers to walk up to their window with the goods.

There's an element of irony in observing folks in $40,000 late-model vehicles being in need of food and public assistance

...like "My God, I can't even afford to pay my cable and phone bill this month!  If it wasn't for these 'heroes' I wouldn't even have food on the table for my family!  After this month all the money will run out---I won't even be able to make my rent!

I hope the washer and dryer in the basement holds out.  I can't afford to get those fixed either.  I think I still have enough to afford gas for the car."

                  Defund The Police(????)

The government and authorities have, for the longest time, been seemingly quite helpless in their ability to get rid of the gangs, drug dealers, illegals entering into the U.S., or to do anything about the overall plague of civil violence

...yet let you or I do anything fucked-up, or even as much as cross the wrong person, and---VOILA!---the police suddenly appear out of the woodwork, law books in hand and dusted off to be thrown directly at us.

It is said that true anarchy is being ruled over not by written laws but by the wayward whims of the strongest and most physically aggressive, the charismatic flim-flammers, the most physically attractive and aesthetically-appealing, those who have tons of money and influence, the most prosperous, the most favored

...sort of like the classroom and a lot of work places.

 Those who considered the quarantine of last March and April to be an "extended vacation" ...

...You obviously:

---live in a house you either own or rent.   Clearly your place of residence is not a small unit inside an apartment building

---drive your own vehicle.  You're not solely dependent on buses, subways, light rail, or commuter trains when needing to get around

---can afford cable/satellite TV and Internet service, making virtual interactions and online shopping possible.  You'd never need to leave the comfort of your enclave or abode just to go shopping, run errands, or make appointments

---live in the suburbs or in a small town.  You don't have to endure continual urban noise of populated areas, still-ongoing construction projects, or traffic in and out of "essential" businesses.

---own your own washer and dryer---conveniently located in your basement or utility room.   No need to leave your comfortable surroundings to truck down to any commercial coin laundry "just to wash your clothes".  Everything you need is always on hand.

                                              Adage For Today

Don't drop too much in someone's lap.  The weight just might paralyze them, then they won't be able to do anything