I spent around a decade and a half as an ex-pat, returning to the United States of America in early 2000.

I was shocked at how the nation had changed, attitudes, spending habits of the populace, and general sense of entitlement.

It has done nothing but get worse since then.

I rarely watch, listen, or read the news. It simply depresses me.

When an acquaintece starts discussing current events, I inform them that I really do not want to know. I explain my non-news stance. However, the normally continue going on and on (left AND right side views). I again, politely tell them that I do NOT want to know.

Does not do a lick of good. They commence informing me and I simply become angry, not with them but with the happenings.

Sometimes, ignorance IS bliss.