For the same reason there are McDonalds everywhere. They are familiar and convenient despite almost always being inferior.

There are not a lot of incentives to make things easier/cheaper. Changing government processes is slow and hard. Take immigration. It is currently a long and hard process to legally immigrate to US unless you fall into certain categories. I’ve heard politicians on both sides say my entire life that we need to improve the process for legal immigration yet little has been done.

Yeah. It’s extremely common. Fluoride treatments, sealants, crown replacements aren’t necessary. And things like veneers, and whiting are pushed pretty hard.

I was talking to a gay family married who was married to opposite gender for 20 years and had a family before coming out. We both grew up in a world that said homosexuality was a choice.

He said he “chose to be straight” for 20+ years and it almost killed him and ruined the lives of others.

My mother in law was an office manager at a dentist. Dentists have sales quotas and have bonuses to everyone in the office for upselling.

You go in to a medical professional for health care and advice and they try and sell to you.

Uh… I never wondered that till now.

Stay strong!

Maybe that’s the difference. I sweat like crazy out my feet, like soaking socks, but my tush is usually pretty dry. I’m extremely picky about my socks (I like Darn Tough).

In high school I worked on a ranch. On a couple of occasions I got to round up cattle on horseback. My friends were competitive ropers and I tried it a couple of times. I couldn’t rope anything.

Honestly, the most fun I’ve ever had at a job though there’s no way I would spend all day on a hot horse with my 30 something body.

Here’s my experience:

My wife and I both grew up very conservative evangelical. Over the last 15 years, we went from right to left (which I’m so happy to have had someone on that path).

Meanwhile, a good chunk of our family has gone hard right or turned a blind eye to those who do. My wife and I have taken different approaches. I dropped off all social media where family was. I’ve established my own boundaries based on how batshit crazy they are and how much I want to stay in touch.

Cousin who posts all the conspiracy shit? I’ll see you at wedding and funerals.

Dad who was an amazing father but listens to Tucker Carlson too much? We typically have 2 hours of conversation before we get to politics. So that’s how long we spend together.

My wife deals with that stuff better. She posts on social media but in a kind and persuasive way, never arguing or getting mad on there, even though she is.

For me, the biggest reason why it’s been good to take the more soft approach is the number of people who reach out to us (mostly my wife) because they are beginning to change their views too. They need a safe place to ask questions. This has included a niece who confided that she’s gay and a sibling who went from moderate republican to climate activist vegan. Coming out the other side together bonds us even more.

So, boundaries. Be firm, but kind. Be patient and inviting for those asking questions. Also, yes therapy.

Do what now? What’s wrong with Hanes and fruit of the loom? This is not something I knew people had strong opinions on.

Can confirm. Lassos are fun.

That’s called camping.

I think it was in SuperFreakanomics where they explored the viability of releasing the equivalent to volcano smoke into the atmosphere to shade the earth. The research was based on earth cooling after certain types of volcano eruptions.

I think the scientist conclusion was that it was pretty viable but introduces way too many other issues. The biggest being, who gets to control the earth thermostat.