Hi Beeville,

Thank you for your reply. I agree, bootstrapping as a notion is tedious indeed, and also fake. Horatio Algiers is a bastard!

I worked very hard, I benefited from some kindnesses but honestly, it wasn't until I got married and became part of a two-income household in my mid-30's that things got a bit better. I wouldn't wish what I went through on anyone. I had serious female reproductive issues that rendered me infertile, and now, we are childless. A lot of men would have left me.

I wouldn't wish my poor circumstances and (hopefully) former ignorance on anyone.

However, we still work very hard and when winter comes and the heat goes on, we feel the hit!

I think every soul deserves certain basic standards: food, medication, shelter, love/care, and yes, meaningful occupation of some sort (not necessarily backbreaking work, but something to do with your time that you have connection to).

Don't get me started on what we owe our Veterans! (I don't know how a government provides love/care except maybe a stipend for a caretake to provide services to a baby/child or disabled/elderly person, but that's a thing).

Again, thanks for reading and take care.