A few weeks ago, I wrote about how well America was doing and yet how unhappy many of us are with our country. I lay much of the blame for that contradiction on our two political parties as they use division and even rage to gin up support (and donations).
There are other factors at work as well. Even if you’re living pretty well, seeing folks around you living better triggers dissatisfaction. America is going through a period of growing income inequality, and Carroll County is at ground zero for that issue.
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