To The Reader’s Forum:

“Why are Americans Not Happy?) (Larson, July 29/30, 2023) offers evidence for an unsubstantiated claim.

The judge has a litany of reasons from religious participation to cable TV. Many highly religious countries are terrifying and many irreligious ones quite content. Cable? Most folks get news from sources other than cable news. Except old folks. If folks in Jamestown are unhappy, the outrageously poor school system, the high-poverty rate and declining population should suffice.

It is a long common lament of old folks, that the world is changing for the worse. I see JHW as very fertile ground for transformation, from the entrepreneurs, crafts people, vibrant arts and culture events, and great natural spaces.

Take climate migration. No matter what folks imagine, this is real and JHW is well-placed to take advantage. Think remote workers seeking refuge from the heat, drought, congestion, and cost of southern and western urban centers. Sure, the schools will need improvement and more and varied businesses in town. That can be bootstrapped. A few remote workers get a pick of great housing stock and improve the local economy, Build the tax base, services improve. Iterate.

Those lamenting the change are jealous (as am I) to not be around for that great JHW future.

Cranston, R.I./Lakewood