Since nothing of consequence has been done, the end of the US, whether altogether or by splitting up, seems now the most likely scenario in the 21 st century. Here is an assessment how the unconcerned have caused this:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/04/next-us-civil-war-already-here-we-refuse-to-see-it
 

How can we hold them accountable? At the same time, this affects the biggest topic of our times, the (mainly) US caused climate change. A deteriorating US will continue to do the most damage but is hogtied and can’t turn around. It recently failed with the, by comparison, easy problem of the covid pandemic. Certainly the much harder climate change is a problem a disheveled, impotent US stands helpless before.

“At this supreme moment of crisis, the left has divided into warring factions completely incapable of confronting the seriousness of the moment. There are liberals who retain an unjustifiable faith that their institutions can save them when it is utterly clear that they cannot.”

This is what I hear Ish and Turkey say. It IS the problem, the reason that society is falling apart. How does one wake these people up from their blissful hibernation?

”The right has recognized what the left has not: that the system is in collapse. The right has a plan: it involves violence and solidarity. They have not abjured even the Oath Keepers. The left, meanwhile, has chosen infighting as their sport.”

It can’t happen here? It has already happened. You just chose to sleep through it.

Congratulations! Those proposals are no more, or less, stupid than the common garbage we get from or current legislators. Same old, same old.

I hope you are resting in bed, Anna.  Rest is a great restorative when you are sick.  

Still, your post brings Aunt Agatha to my mind.  She put me in a room over the garage as she did not want her relationship with Jack, the friendly insurance salesman, interrupted.  Fortunately, her husband Uncle William was unable to climb stairs because of his old war injury.  There was a separate entrance for his first-floor room and he had a ramp installed to get in and out.  

As for Aunt Agatha, I don't know that "divine" is the right word to describe her.  She found only one clergyman who would even speak to her because she was a spiritualist.  That tolerant man had his own baggage, a sex scandal with a male organist that drove him out of his denomination.  

Aunt Agatha and I didn't always see eye to eye.  But I don't want to go into the salacious details.  

I am very sorry to read that you are ill and retiring to your bed in the morning!     I do hope sincerely that you have recovered your health both physically and mentally and will be in full fighting mode for the next ... 12 years?