Covid -19 Vaccines

 As a result of a recent maderna booster for Linda and I and an article  in The New York Times, May 5, 2024 titled "Could the Covid 19 Vaccines Have Caused Some People Harm?"  prompted this article.  Linda and I have been vaccinated with either Moderna or Pfizer  8 times  and we both contracted  a mild case of Covid 19 a few years ago . In addition to the vaccines , we also have worn masks although lately, not consistently. A few questions to consider: 1.  How harmful are the side effects of the vaccines?  2.  Do the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the side effects?  3.How do we navigate the misinformation of the vaccines?

In this article, there were a number of testimonials pertaining to negative  vaccine outcomes.  Note, the Covid vaccines have been given to more than 270 million people in the United States with nearly 677 million doses.  Thousands of Americans believe they have suffered serious side effects following the Covid vaccinations . As of April, just over 13,000 vaccine injury compensation claims have been filed with the federal government; only 19% had been reviewed ;only 47 of those were deemed eligible for compensation and only 12 have been paid out  with an average of about $3600. 

The following are brief testimonials regarding  the alleged side effects of the vaccines in the US : 1.  A 37-year-old PhD in neuroscience stated that she was diagnosed with brain damage and cannot work, drive or even stand for long periods of time.  2.  A 54-year-old nurse practitioner stated that ever since his first Covid shot, merely standing up sent his heart racing.  His  symptoms  are suggestive of postural orthostatic tachycardia, a neurological disorder that some studies have linked to both Covid, and much less  often vaccination . Health officials are skeptical of his complaint. 3.  A 49-year-old physical therapist developed Bell's palsy, a form of facial paralysis usually temporary.   Bell’s  palsy is a known side effect of other vaccines and it has been linked to covid vaccination in some studies.   Health the visuals are skeptical of her complaint 4. A  68  year old physician stated that a whooshing sound in his ears had accompanied every moment since his first shot, and his entreaties to colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to explore the phenomenon of  Tinnitus  led nowhere.  5.  A 50-year-old doctor.  said his tinnitus and racing heart lasted about a week after each shot.  

One Immunologist stated that  post vaccination injuries are just completely ignored, dismissed  and gaslighted .  Federal health officials insisted that serious side effects are extremely rare  and their surveillance efforts  were more than sufficient to detect patterns of adverse events.  However, one doctor , a leader in the food and drug administration ,believed  that some recipients have experienced uncommon but serious and life-changing reactions beyond those described by federal agencies. 

 A number of challenges and problems are related to our fragmented healthcare system . The ability to detect very serious side effects depends on analysis of huge amounts of data .It’s a difficult task when a patient may be tested for covid at Walgreens ,gets vaccinated at CVS , visits a  local clinic for minor ailments and then reports to a hospital for serious conditions.  There is no central repository of vaccine recipients of medical records, and no easy way to analyze the data.  The government's understaffed compensation fund has paid so little because it officially recognizes few side effects for the vaccines.

Some countries have centralized healthcare systems.  Officials have actively sought out reports of serious side effects of the vaccines and  have reached conclusions that US health authorities have not.  A few reports follow: 1.  In Hong Kong ,a lot of mild cases included that in rare instances, the Pfizer BioN tech vaccine triggered shingles serious enough to require hospitalizations.  2.  The European Medicines Agency found Pfizer and Moderna vaccines  associated with facial paralysis, tingling sensations, and numbness.  The EMA also found counts of tinnitus side effects of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 3.  US officials were not the first to identify a significant Covid vaccine side effect myocarditis in  young people receiving mRNA vaccines that was  first reported by Israeli  authorities in 2021.  4.  Researchers in Australia published a study linking tinnitus and vertigo to the vaccines.

According to scientists and government officials , much of the narrative on the purported dangers of Covid vaccines are false or at least exaggerated.  The scale of the misinformation is staggering and everything was twisted to make it seem like it's not just the devastating side effect but proof of a massive cover-up . According to a vice dean at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ,among the hundreds of millions of Americans who were immunized for Covid ,some members would have had heart attacks and strokes ; and some would have miscarried  .How to distinguish those from the  vaccine from those that are coincidences are problematic and require research. Perhaps common sense and credibility of the reporter  requires objectivity.

A few weeks ago, on a Tuesday, Linda and I had a Madera booster vaccine.  The following morning I had a dry mouth and didn't feel 100%.  I went to the kitchen to make my smoothie . Shortly, I experienced  nausea, lightheadedness, and was unable to catch myself falling to the floor.  Before I hit the floor, my head landed on a large crockpot.  I lay there for a short time.and realized that I was bleeding . The phone rang.  Sidne called and I heard 911.  I immediately got up and told them both that I didn't need 911.  Sidne had a Merry Maids worker nearby and sent her over.  In the meantime, I washed off my wound and stopped the bleeding.  When Marie arrived, I had her bandage my head.

Later that morning.  Christie arrived and suggested that I see a doctor to get stitches   to avoid  infection.  I wasn't thrilled about going to the emergency room but agreed to go to an urgent care facility.  There, I was evaluated by a student  in training, followed by  a doctor .  The doctor was worried about potential brain  bleeding and told me that she could close the wound with staples  but would have to report  the incident to the DMV.  The DMV would put a hold on my license until I had a neurological exam.  The other option was proceeding to an emergency  at the hospital for a neurological exam.

I obviously left for  the hospital option   There ,I was given a brain scan , EKG  and blood work.  After negative results, the physician put in  five staples, told me to have them removed in 10 to 14 days and said goodbye.  The wound healed  and I had the staples removed in 13 days by my primary physician. 

The doctor  noted the side effects in my chart and gave me this link to report -https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html ..

In conclusion, yes, there are side effects with all vaccinations.  The five stories in the New York Times  are scary to say the least.  It's true that only research provided by the government can realistically assess side effects.  However, the number of variables are staggering . A research model with a central database would be required to adequately track and evaluate vaccinations.  In addition a realistic compensation program is also required.  Of course, the task falls on Congress.  Linda and I plan, at this point, to continue receiving the vaccination boosters while paying attention ..

Capitalism and Illness

   

 

The medical health , insurance , food   and pharmaceutical industry exploits and contributes to man’s needs and cravings so that about 70% of American adults are obese or overweight with its negative  ramifications  . Instead of working to address this complex problem,the   pharmaceutical industry has produced a  quick “fix “ with GLP-1 drugs like  Ozempic ,Wegovy, Mounjaro ,  Semaglutide and Zepbound in order to  lower blood sugar  and  appetite cravings . .Two articles in the New York Times titled “The documented benefits of Ozempic,Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs keep growing by the week-and we have no idea where it will end “ on 4/28/24 and  “Remedy Sought to Counter Muscle Loss from  Ozempic on 2/11/ 24 are  the topics of this essay.  

It’s not surprising that we have poor  mental and physical  health results.  Food addiction and the multitude of problems associated with obesity and being overweight are staggering.  These conditions include heart disease, stroke,  hundreds of other comorbidities and death.  The first article praised the benefits of these drugs but didn't make clear the research to support the many uses or long term effects of these GLP-1 drugs.

GLP.1 drugs have been used to treat  the following : 1. Type 1 diabetes  2.. Moderate to severe kidney disease 3. Reducing fatty liver deposits in patients with HIV and nonalcoholic steatotic liver disease; 4. Menstrual cycles of those with  polycystic ovary syndrome; 5. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, 6. depression, anxiety,and schizophrenia, 7. Alcoholism and drug addiction 8.; Compulsive shopping, and sex addiction 9. Gambling , nail biting ,smoking and skin picking. Wow!

GLP-1 drugs are extremely expensive and cost more than private companies currently pay per employee into employer-based insurance in total.  At present  ,few private insurers cover the cost of  these drugs for weight loss.  Researchers calculated that at current prices, the cost of providing these GLP 1 drugs to all Americans who could benefit from them would grow past.  $1 trillion annually . This amount is more than the full annual cost of Medicare, or even that of the US military .

 The second article addressed the wonders of capitalism .Profiters  are creative in developing  ways to counteract the muscle loss that can happen with these medications.  Not only does the individual lose body weight but also significant muscle loss  . Post menopausal women in particular are at risk for becoming frail or developing osteoporosis.  It was pointed out that older individuals are also at high risk because of weakness, fatigue and falling episodes that result in more complications.  It was stated, according to one physician, that losing weight doesn't always translate into becoming  healthier.

Numerous  companies   for profit are now creating services that include  : 1.Strength training; nutritionist  and meal delivery services  with plans to help patients eat enough protein; 2. Drug companies like Eli Lily are  developing combination treatments that prevent  just muscle loss .  They are also creating  other compounds to help people achieve more optimal balance of muscle and fat which can even imitate hormones produced during exercise that can improve muscle metabolism function.  The article went on to list a number of other programs with various methods to deal with this current money bonanza .

There are two ways to fight muscle loss that include eating  the right amount of protein and doing  some form of strength training . As a result, companies are capitalizing on both  : 1.Making protein shakes 2. Meal delivery services with a new companion food collection 3.Connecting people with dietitians  that provide protein intake and pay attention to the risk of malnutrition.  4. Behavioral health coaching for weight loss  5 . Online  fitness videos and  a protein tracker scale. 6.Personal training for people on these  medications.  7. A platform partnering with a viral care company with prescribed weight loss drugs and development of a muscle guard exercise program.

Pleasure for  profit exploits a  humans' addiction  for  the  pursuit of  food for comfort and pleasure . And, the corporate food industry creates and reinforces addiction with unhealthy fat, sugar , salt and chemically laden  foods . .Also, corporate food establishments offer  extraordinary unhealthy meal portions .Furthermore ,a  profitable corporate   healthcare industry  complex  identifies and treats illnesses  like obesity ,cardiovascular  disease and diabetes largely based on lifestyle choices  . Profitable Big Pharma comes to the rescue with innovating products to treat but not cure. Meanwhile creative  enterprises  offer diets and exercise regimens to assist with the erroneous lifestyle decisions . In essence, no one has to change their pursuits . Unfortunately,  capitalism and health are  the problem as they are too interrelated.   .

It's About Donald

 Donald Trump exhibits antisocial behavior.  Federally ,he's  charged with 88 felony charges ; found guilty twice in civil courts    and currently is undergoing an election interference  criminal trial in New York.  Irrespective of his  current legal issues, he continues, sadistic commentary  attacking and undermining the justice system and whines about being scapegoated. In an unfair legal  system  that has ,in essence, been  exceptionally fair.to him .  This essay relates to Trump’s  pathological narcissistic  personality.

In the Greek legend, the beautiful lad Narcissus ,rejected the love of the nymph Echo who  consequently died of a broken heart.  Nemesis punished him by making him fall in love with the reflection of his own image. While admiring his reflection,  Narcissus fell into the lake and died

Sigmund Freud , in his psychodynamic model described both normal and pathological  narcissism as key motivational determinants. Man begins in a state of primary narcissism as the infant leaves the womb to  be born.  In  primary narcissism, the only reality for the infant is itself ,its body, its physical  sensations of cold , warmth , thirst , need for sleep and bodily contact. With development , the infant’s libido or psychic energy then transfers from  self to the external world .. The infant is now  able to differentiate itself from what is not part of “ self.". During this development , the infant  widens its scope and intensity to other objects. In the outer world . It proceeds and evolves from absolute  primary narcissism to a  capacity for objective reasoning and  necessity for object love or  to  a state of secondary narcissism . Secondary narcissism  is a most powerful and necessary determinant for human behavior . However, sometimes a person becomes  unable to proceed and develop normally from a state of primary narcissism "I" to secondary narcissism" objects in the external world, "  It’s as if there was a barrier blocking the flow of psychic energy between  proceeding from primary to secondary narcissism along with  tendencies reverting back to the primary state. With pathology  , psychic energy behavior  is  directed toward self. and  the  residue of  psychic energy or behavior  is directed against others passively, ,aggressively  sadistically, ,dominantly,  seductively, manipulatively , without a genuine  concern or a social interest  for the humane treatment of man and his community 

The major  implications for pathological   narcissism is associated with difficulty in perceiving reality realistically  with  a preoccupation with oneself . For example, there is little psychic energy  directed to the welfare of others . Instead the  psychic energy becomes projected as an aspect of his  personality,intelligence , physical looks,  powers, ability  ideas and skill . In his mind, he’s  the smartest  businessman, most intelligent, most knowledgeable,  and a master negotiator  and because of his disease cannot accept failure  or criticism  . He knows more than his attorney's , can defy gag orders  and attack judges, prosecutors etc. He can inflate or deflate  the value of  his real estate because they are his. All things that he possesses are extraordinarily wonderful . He tells the crowd  at rallies- he “loves” them  which is actually  his narcissistic attachment - he loves himself and they belong to him .

How could he, the most wonderful, powerful,have a small crowd at his  inauguration , at any of his rallies or lose an election ? Somebody cheated.  Criticizing NATO, pulling out of the Paris Accord and Iran’s nuclear regulation,and tariffs on China  are his accomplishments .

.Trump attributes himself above the interest of anyone or anything  else.  He can steal elections and he can impede the transfer of power.   Trump is more important than the interest of the Republic  Constitution  or  Rule of Law as evidenced by the  numerous antisocial acts related to the 2020 election .  His fear of losing property and the presidency was on display with the inordinate   expenditure of psychic energy in attempting to hang on to power. .His actions, the actions of his  attorneys ,Judge Cannon and the Supreme Court  has demonstrated his influence and his need to remain in control  for survival.

Trump has normalized taking over the government, the institutions  ,criminal justice  and the Republican Party. It's his to do whatever he wants.  It fits within his frame of reference for self.  He does what's best for him regardless.  He can break the rules,  the laws because he's entitled , his prerogative and he is the law. It’s for him to control .And he spreads lies about the legal system.  In the past, he claimed he could shoot somebody in New York and get away with it.  Now he's complaining that he can't get a fair trial in New York.  In other words, his lies reflect messages to his followers, and what is best for him.  

Television, social media, etc. are powerful reinforcements for a narcissistic personality.  The person, the image is displayed.  Trump has easily mastered the  ability to market or promote  himself  to be the news. .  His TV show was perfect for this narcissist and by becoming president was a dream come true as he became the world's focus.

The historical danger of pathological  narcissism pertains to Caesar, Hitler, Putin and others.  Their power exists.  They are not only above the law, they are the law . They  attained absolute power and their word is the ultimate judgment of everything.  There is no limit to their capacity to do whatever they want . They became God's and  built monuments .  They wanted the impossible . In fact, their megalomania seems to be a reasonable feeling as  everybody agrees that they are God-like ,the most powerful , the wisest of men, and thus able to lead all others. 

In summary, the development of proceeding from normal  primary to secondary narcissism has great implications for man. Man ,in secondary narcissism ,has the capacity to be able to love ,respect , cooperate, and work together for the common good.  This means , with a motivation for social interest,  man  can assist others in helping to build justice , a better democracy for all as stated in our Pledge of Allegiance   However,  tendencies for pathological narcissism undermines objectivity, love, truth, morality, democracy  and humanistic values.setting the foundation for authoritarianism .

Reference

From  Erich The Heart of Man  , it's genius for good and evil.

Disobedience

 

Last week watching about half an hour of news on CNN  people discussed The Trump Hush Money Trial, and  I watched Pres. Biden’s short talk about student  protests on the college campuses.  Although a small minority ,400 or so, were arrested for encampment and other violations at Hamilton Hall there was an inordinate amount of TV coverage.  How many of the 400 were actually current students ?  Yet, the NYPD found gas masks, helmets, goggles,hammers, knives,ropes and a book on terroism.This essay pertains to disobedience of an authoritarian and humanistic conscience . 

 

According to the Old Testament, Adam and Eve expressed disobedience when they first opened their eyes and looked at each other as strangers in a strange and hostile world. They left the Garden of Eden and  then became fully human.  In Greek mythology, Prometheus  disobeyed when he stole fire from the gods.  The  angry gods  retaliated and punished him for his disobedience.  And he replied:  "I would rather be changed to this rock than  be the servant of the gods “ and then civilization began.

Disobedience is associated with man’s moral,ethical, and character dynamics.which accounts for different reasons and motives for such and especially related to either  nonviolent and violent illegal behaviors.  A few examples follow.  Sir Thomas Moore comes to mind as he was disobedient to Henry VIII and said " no" to this tyrannical king regarding divorce and remarriage because of his faith and conscience.  Sir Thomas was given an opportunity to lie to himself. But on principle was incarcerated in the Tower and later was beheaded.  Moses was true to his God, disobedient and took his people out of slavery.  Ramsey went after the Hebrews to kill them  but his army was swallowed up in the Red Sea.  Jesus Christ spread the word of humanity and therefore was disobedient to the Roman Empire. He was given a trial and then crucified.  Galileo Galilei  because he believed in Copernican  theory was tried by the inquisition and was placed under house arrest . Gandhi was disobedient to the British Empire and later assassinated.  Dr. Martin Luther King was disobedient and also assassinated.  These individuals did not act out of archaic emotions of fear, hate and greed.  They were not acting out anger, disappointment or resentment nor break man-made ethical laws . They preached  non violence.  Their actions and beliefs were based on  a humanistic conscience associated with the welfare of  all humanity. 

An authoritarian  conscience is associated with commands, prohibitions that are fear and reward based . It’s about being eager to please ;  being loyal  ; and  being afraid of displeasing an external authority figure . That external authority  could be parents , leaders ,state, tribe,  group , public opinion or whatever. It's unquestioned  loyalty, obedience to  that power ,attitude, morals, values and actions. When operational,, it compromises the  ability to think critically, objectively and rationally. As a result, It’s a conformity, to be servant-like, to follow and be in congruence with the authority  regardless of actions,,values and beliefs of that authority  The authorities ethical and moral legislations are adopted or internalized and therefore become part of the individual.Therefore, not following or obeying  the authority results in fear of rejection and guilt 

With an authoritarian  conscience, the values, morals and power components become idealized  and not centered on reality. In essence, the norms of authority could be good or bad . And if bad, acting according to one's  authoritarian conscience results in  evilness, prejudice ,violence ,rape, murder, death ,destruction as well as other law breaking behaviors. It’s as if the  individual becomes immune and blind to all and any bit of contradictory or dissonant empirical evidence of reality.  

In contrast, a humanistic conscience is independent of external sanctions ,prohibitions and rewards . With a humanistic conscience, one is able to distinguish what is human from what is non-human; what is conducive to life compared to what is destructive  of life.  It is true to self and not a herd mentality.  It is a congruence  with thought, belief and behavior. It's loving life, growth, freedom, humanity, solidarity and justice with ethical and moral values.. 

In essence, we began the socialization process with an authoritarian conscience and then through development,and learning ,we mature  cognitively in the direction of formulating  a  humanistic conscience.  As a result, there is essentially a blending or combination of the two consciences , although there can be a  weighted tendency directed in either direction .Implications of such become clear. Am I being true to myself or am I compromising by rationalizing my decision by pleasing another ? Sometimes, guilt and/or fear of disapproval or rejection interferes and one makes too many compromises .

The motives of terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah have been clear regarding the destruction and elimination of Israel.  They commit sadistic  acts of war, rape, stealing, and abduction based on hate with  an authoritarian conscience.  They are an irrational authority as they lie, cheat, steal and cannot be trusted..

It's not surprising that those  with an authoritarian conscience and irrational authority based tendencies are involved with campus disobedience . These individuals  are verbally and physically aggressive toward Jewish students.  Some in the crowd of those camping at Hamilton Hall and other University locations have breached police barricades ; harassed Jewish students with physical punches, verbal threats  , anti semitic  trash talk ; assaulted an Israeli student who up posters of hostages that were abducted ; have trespassed ; have resisted arrest  with  encampment . They have distributed anti Israel and pro-Hamas  materials; responded to calls from Hamas for mass mobilization in the West; have  provided material support via public relations and propaganda for terrorism in violation of US  law ; have praised  the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah "End of Israel , the final  solution of the Jewish people;” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.  “ It's clear ,there are some ties  between Hamas and groups helping to organize and stoke anti-Israel demonstrations on campuses throughout the US. A recent  lawsuit  was filed against American Muslims for Palestine, National Students for Justice in Palestine and affiliated groups is just one example..

Negotiating peace with a terrorist group whose mission is to annihilate  you is an irrational  hypocrisy contradiction.  Those that support  Hamas agree with terror,  hate and  have anti-Semitic beliefs . How are Jewish students responsible for actions of an Israeli military cabinet?  How many of these acting out lawbreaking individuals are informed and have in depth knowledge  of the complex issues in the Middle East ?  Breaking the law does not  either translate into applying reason, judgment and conviction nor with the capacity to penetrate the surface  in order to more fully  understand all the elements in play.  It's easy to be misinformed, join the crowd and become a mob.  These violent, hateful, anti-Semitic actions are divisive and separate the country.  Individuals with an authoritarian conscience, tendencies  push and reinforce  chaos for their own selfish toxic narcissism. Humans have a mixture  and degree of both consciences For example, early on, one is taught not to kill  but  later on  joins the military. 

PS

Note, there was not one violent , law breaking ,hate speech student unrest on a college campus in our country when Pres. Saddam Hussein, of Irrag waged war against Iran; when Pres. Assad of Syria waged war against his  citizens; when Russia attacked Ukraine; when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7; and when Iran missiles and drones attacked Israel.There are many reasons and different outcomes for  displaying the  motivation  of disobedience which pertain to individuals with  either a humanistic or an authoritarian conscience tendencies   

Reference

Fromm, Erich.  Man For Himself  and Inquiry Into the Psychology of Ethics.

Unhappiness

  In a recent article titled US Mythology , I  reported that individuals 19-25 years of age were extremely unhappy.  Further, they exhibited financial insecurity, mental, and physical health issues,  loss of purpose,and relationship problems.  For a more detailed understanding of unhappiness, in-depth research related to character, environmental(,, social  class,,society, family and hereditary factors are required for an in depth analysis . However, this brief essay  only addresses  economics , sadism ,masochism and dependency  as contributing factors for young females..` 

A brief description of happiness. Centuries ago, Aristotle, Eppicurus and other Greek philosophers focused on  the importance of happiness for life.  Happiness, for these intellectuals , included man being able to apply reason ,virtue while pursuing pleasure and/or minimizing pain. Later,  Jeremy Bentham argued that for the conduct of practical affairs , it must include what is good . He defined good as pleasure and/or happiness.  ,

 Sigmund Freud added that meaningful and productive work and the importance of being able to love were also important considerations.  I add the development of the body  and mind., reason and contributing to social welfare .  In other words,  happiness, and virtue. Are related to a healthy mind -body, meaningful and productive work, significant unions  and social welfare involvement .

Recent conversations with Linda's son Buck are as follows.  Buck and Tonya run a senior care franchise in the Sacramento area.  Recently, Buck told me that he is now using AI for hiring and screening practices.  In fact, AI was extremely important in  correctly assessing the  sensitive needs of a prospective client.  That means that with AI, Buck will not have any employee or  labor disputes or issues.  He  won't have to worry about tardiness , absenteeism, lawsuits, unionization, etc.  AI is the ideal employee.  

A recent caregiver complained that fast food employees were making more than  her.  She also complained about the homeless and the cost of gas.  She's  older than 25 years of age and has her mother living with her.  Recently, she had health and unhappiness issues when her daughter, husband and their children stayed with her.  She has been healthier since they  left.  

Finances  obviously become a barrier and interfere with happiness.  The cost of gasoline, housing  maintenance, and food are extremely high when it comes to a job with minimum wage.  I recently paid  Seth $25 an hour to cut and remove some trees.  Seth lives at home with his parents.  It is also not uncommon for a group of young people to combine resources in order to rent  and share expenses ..

Having employment without a sense of meaningful purpose is a condition associated with capitalism.  Marx wrote that capitalism can interfere with developing a positive sense of self worth in  that the individual becomes insignificant ,a  number , a tool, a slave with wages.  It's not uncommon, especially in retail, to encounter unhappy employees.  Alienation, boredom without purpose becomes the routine and the norm for too many . And it’s not uncommon for those to turn to  drugs and alcohol for escape .

Being dependent on family  or others interferes with integrating and establishing a positive sense of identity and fidelity.  Unmet dependency needs results in a sense of   role confusion  and attraction to toxic limiting ideologies.  These young become  rebellious and misguided by nationalistic authoritarian ideologies .Also, they become easily  exploited followers without independent thought .  These factors interfere with an ability to develop intimate affiliations , inappropriate sexual practices and independent thought..  In other words, attachment , separation and individuation become compromised .

Once, state colleges were affordable for students  and families without a tremendous amount of debt.  One could easily get ahead by attending college and starting a career.  However, now is not the case.  In fact, some question whether going to college is worth it.  At  one time, entering the teaching profession was  viable .  Not so today, with  censorship of what's taught in the curriculum ,which books are okay ,and what bathrooms to use play a major part in interfering with entering that profession. The teacher shortage is going to have further implications and ramifications and interfere with the quality of public education in our Republic. Once our K-12 was a model for other countries, but not so today.

Sadism , acting cruelly toward oneself and/or  being insensitive toward others means that the individual has malignant or toxic  narcissism and is indifferent to sadism. This abnormal  degree of narcissism is not associated with love . With that being said, sadism is having mastery over another; making the object helpless; being in control over another , having the other to do whatever pleases  him or her , to humiliate and make another suffer.  This compensatory violence suggests being emotionally crippled, limited intellectually and  not interested about caring, respecting or loveing.  .

For the female, unmet dependency needs , and previous betrayals, results in a tendency for being weak, vulnerable , easily manipulated  and seduced from a more powerful  and assertive other. As a result , a female becomes attracted and longing for bold , outgoing  and strong personality types. Her dependency interferes with her ability to act and reason objectivity . She feels emotionally weak, suggesting that she has unmet dependency needs and wishes for  affection , protection , being taken care of and  love from a strong mother- father figure. Failing to develop adequate autonomous and  emotional independence interferes with  the ability to pursue freedom  and  self protection with safety .

An example illustrating sadomasochism and relating to unhappiness was found In The New York Times , April 14, 2024 article titled "Why We Need  to Talk About Teen Sex."  According to a leading  researcher in the field,, the following was reported: 1.  Females are currently being  subjected to assault while having sex  consisting of choking , strangling , slapping of body parts  2.  Females are  not giving permission to be choked or strangled while engaging in sex.  3. Although it is possible to experience pleasure from oxygen deprivation during orgasim , females are not experiencing more orgasms  4. Neck swelling, loss of consciousness, losing control of urinary functions, becoming cloudy,  depression , mood disorders.  TBI , and anxiety  are the result of  male assaultive behaviors . 5.  Females are reporting that sex is not pleasurable but  terrifying and they are scared and fearful of dying.

In conclusion, we are in an age of  sadism, masochism ,and hate , Within the last 20 years., the young have witnessed the Republic being at war; mass killings taking place in schools, places of worship and other locations; Jews being threatened because of  Israel’s war cabinet; policies ;  economic uncertainty; peer suicide, alcohol and substance abuse; abortion rights trampled, inordinate amount of sadomasochism found in novels, movies, TV, and video games; large number of adults unhappy with what's happening in this country and  a former president daily expressing sadistic verbalizations  with criminal charges, and  attacks  against democratic values and  institutions .These  irrational and toxic factors  in addition  with  inadequate parenting affect character development  of our young.  Males should be prosecuted for their assaultive behavior and female victimization should be addressed.  There is  too much sadistic  craziness occurring in our republic which  translates into  female vulnerability and unhappiness.

 Reference

 Fromm, Erich.  The Heart of Man , It's Genius for Good and Evil.