I think we can just agree that we look at the same glass and you see it as half full whereas I see it as half empty.

I don't have a Bugout Machine anymore, but not because I don't think it's a good idea to have one.  It just became too difficult for me to maintain while moving from one place to another in the sick care housing industry.  I can't live a nomadic existence anymore either, so for me it no loger has utility.  I'd still recommend having one to people who are reasonably healthy though.

No, the malls haven't yet turned into Zombie wastelands, just the parking lots.  Yes the lights still work most of the time, at least if you don't live in Puerto Rico or Argentina.  You can still buy a house if you can afford $500K mortgage.  You can't rent a 1 bedroom in Anchorage though if you're a cripple.  You get on a waiting list where your waiting time never goes down.

Anyhow, feel free to rejoice that you still might die peacefully in your bed rather than consumed by cannibals.  I do not rejoice at the ever deteriorating state of the world.  It doesn't look very good to me from my vantage point.  Yours is different.  So it goes.

RE