In some ways 2021 has been a very good year

[Wicked Blue]

Last edited Fri Dec 31, 2021, 06:25 PM - Edit history (1)

- Joe Biden became president.

That in itself was the best thing that could possibly happen, after four years of hell. A grownup was finally in charge of the nation. We no longer needed to dread the news or avoid the front page of the paper fearing what the slobfather had done now. Joe was at the desk. He would reverse most of the bad things done by his predecessor. He would tackle Covid-19, unlike TFG. My anxiety level went way, way down. I felt I could breathe again.

- Bonus: Jill Biden

- Vaccines against Covid 19 became widely available

- The treasonous coup attempt of January 6 failed.

- Arrests, investigations and prosecutions of those involved in the failed coup have started.

- There were some period of time between Covid mutations in which we got a taste of freedom.

- The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was adopted and signed

- The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package was passed and signed into law.

- The president has seen 40 federal judges confirmed so far

- Biden ended a ban on openly transgender people serving in the U.S. military

- Biden ordered a moratorium on federal executions

I can't possibly list all the good things that have happened this past year. But please ADD YOUR OWN.

Think about how you felt a year ago.
Remember when we began to feel hope again, after President Biden was sworn in.

[Walleye]

1. The stock market. The S&P 500 hit 70 new record highs

I confess I started investment account with my retirement money about 5 years ago. Now I pay myself an allowance from it. Of course fortunes are always subject to reversal on Wall Street

[dem4decades]

2. Thanks, but I'm not feeling it.

[central scrutinizer]

3. My daughter earned her masters in engineering

And got married, I took the two of them to Hawai’i in December. I rode my bike (van supported) from Oregon to Maine with friends.

[nolabear]

4. Thank you! We need to nourish one another by remembering the good.

DU has gotten so astoundingly bitter and pessimistic that I really think it drags us down. I get realistic but note how few replies here.

I need soul food for the fight.

Let’s see what happens if I start a thread.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. I don't know if the rescued bits of normalcy will prevail

I am most worried about democracy and the economy, and those are 2 separate things.

Democracy - you know the drill.

Economy. The pandemic and recession collapsed many small and mid-sized companies. The biggest companies thrived, and that is where 95% or more of the profits accrue. That's why large cap index funds go up forever. But it also means the smallest people are struggling with cash flow, debt, earning power, jobs. I don't see opportunity. I see stagnation for small folk. I'm finding diminishing quality and value (design and durability) in what I buy. As prices creep up. I was in Walmart today. Computer prices all went up $10 or $20. UP. After Christmas.

So wherever you see value, opportunity, freedom - grab all you can, and try to pass it along. Maybe if we pull together we can start things rolling in the direction of democracy for all.

[maxsolomon]

6. All true. Hard to see 2021 as a half-full glass, though.

It's like there's a N95 mask over everything.

[Wicked Blue]

8. Good image nt

[former9thward]

7. Unemployment is not at its lowest level in decades.

Unemployment was at 3.5% in February, 2020. It is at 4.2% now.