Searching for Wrigley's Spearmint Gum

 By David Bozeman

It's time for another rant from an old guy complaining about how much better candy was "back in my day." Specifically, why is it so hard to get a pack of Wrigley's Spearmint gum? I can no longer find it at the checkout at Wal-Mart or Walgreen's or any of the other grocery or convenience stores in my area. I can't even find the three-packs in the candy section anymore. 

Are you serious? Wrigley's gum has always been THE staple of chewing gum, guaranteed available everywhere. Doublemint, Spearmint and Juicy Fruit lined even the most meager candy displays (with Big Red and Winterfresh coming along later). Today, only Doublemint (which I like) is easy to find. Juicy Fruit, another favorite, is about as easy to buy. Extra Spearmint, Wrigley's sugar-free brand, is really the closest I can hope for. 

What happened to my Spearmint? Is it just too smooth and understated in contrast to the overly apparent icy-coldness of Doublemint (and others)? Even Extra's version overwhelms your taste buds with mint. Wrigley's Spearmint could just be too adult for today's market, though I would simply call it subtle and plush, the fine chocolate of chewing gum. 

According to Google, it's available in stores or online. Ordering chewing gum online? It shouldn't be this difficult! Kids today will never know the joy of unlimited gum and candy selections. Remember Dentyne in the red packs? Light, cinnamony, breath-freshening perfection (Speaking of which, remember Certs breath mints? The gold standard!). How about rolls of Life Savers, with such tantalizing flavors as tangerine, coconut, pineapple, etc.? How I long for Adam's Sour gum, in flavors such as cherry, grape and orange. The fewer options still available, most kids can't afford on their own. At this point, I'd settle for some of those old Wrigley's commercials with their catchy jingles. I haven't seen any new ones in years. Even the advertising was better decades ago.

Yes, I understand free market economics, supply and demand, etc.,

 etc. I'm well aware that chewing gum is not as popular in uptight, modern-day America. What I want to know is why? Maybe a stick of Spearmint and a rush of sugar would make consumers less cynical, if only for a while. Why should a simple, classic pleasure prove so elusive? Why do garish, over-powering, artificially flavored treats dominate the candy aisles? I guess it's not really the lack of supply that baffles me, it's the lack of demand. 

So that's my latest rant. I'm still a consumer with money to spend, so it's my right. And there's plenty more to say. I haven't even started on movies or music yet.

Note: Thank you CVS! I found a pack just before Christmas. All you other retailers, you need to fill your candy counters!

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The Obsolete Man On Public Assistance

 By David Bozeman

As you know, the government shutdown has indefinitely delayed assistance for roughly 40 million Americans on what we used to call food stamps. Some of us are scrambling for food, some of us want to end the program altogether. Even when the government is reopened, the debate will rage on.

I'm not here to get political, but I'm not staying quiet, either. I'm sick of my social media feed and its endless stream of unknown Americans posting videos castigating those on public assistance. These would-be sages-of-the-ages proclaim that those who can afford fancy nails and hair extensions don't need 'my tax dollars' (note: the mental images they use to bolster their arguments usually feature public domain caricatures of black women). 'I lived for ten years on rice and beans. If it was good enough for me, it's good enough you and your handicapped child and your elderly parent. . . And don't forget to click the like button.'

I've always been a right-wing guy, and I still prefer self-sufficiency to government dependency. However, the passing of the years and the pitfalls of life have taught me that public policy is a little too complicated to be explained in video snippets (note how they are usually filmed in the person's car - never in a library!). While I agree with points on both sides of the argument, I'm here to lament the needless rage many Americans vent at their neighbors and others not far removed from them socio-economically.

It is easier to attack such soft, easy targets as poor and brown people than it is to ponder why working Americans can't always afford nutritious meals, health insurance and housing. We like to think that poverty can never happen to us - after all, I work - but one medical emergency, job loss or car accident can change your life dramatically. Trust me.

The intellectually lazy will always use the most extreme stereotypes to drive their points home. It's just as easy to throw out the predictable adjectives against the 'corrupt, bloated' welfare system and accept the most ludicrous claims of fraud and abuse without any question (yes, greedy, ungrateful poor people use food stamps to buy steak and lobster - the myth has been debunked, but many still believe it).  How soon we forget that public assistance programs, despite numerous flaws, were enacted to feed poor and hungry people. Yes, within the last hundred years, Americans stood in food lines and children quit school to work in fields and factories. Do we want a return to that?

Sadly, for some, the answer is yes. 'Nobody held the ladder up for me, so I'm kicking down on YOU.' That, beyond the death of reason, is what I mourn, the loss of any common empathy and humanity. Let's blame - without any benefit of the doubt - high taxes and the demise of the middle class on our 'fat and lazy' neighbors and those who look different. Forget the dry, tedious work of discussing institutional roadblocks to survival, I have to go and show my self-righteousness on Tik Tok. 'I seen people using EBT cards to buy Oreos for their kids.' Yes, there are those who will argue to the death that poor kids should not have birthday cakes bought with public assistance. The horror!

Politicians and pundits fan the flames for power and profit. At the moment, social discourse is just schoolyard bullies and their one-line taunts, but in desperate times, things could get ugly. It doesn't have to be this way. One can promote self-sufficiency and discourage generational reliance on federal aid without sowing hatred and division. Loving your neighbor is not merely some feel-good notion - it holds untold power and potency, if we, as a nation, would only tap into it. People who are poor often look down on themselves, thus public snark and stereotyping only reinforces their negative thoughts and habits. We can do better. 

Just my two cents. And I come to you from the comfort of my humble home and not the front seat of my car.

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The Obsolete Man Reflects on Charlie Kirk and American Politics

By David Bozeman

I was going to post my reflections on the killing of Charlie Kirk and the state of political discourse, but, really, what is there left to say? Like any sane human, I condemn violence, and I remain sad that a young man died violently and needlessly.

I also find it sad that an act of political violence, instead of uniting all of us in mutual resolve, only deepens our fractures. 

As the Charlie Kirk tragedy unfolded, I faced a number of personal challenges. My rent went up $100. I continued to ponder how I could partially retire and enjoy my remaining years in a cold, unforgiving economy. Not to make this about myself, but I know I speak for many others like me.

Maybe I'm just getting cynical with age or maybe I'm finally seeing the light (or some of both?), but I no longer have the passion to invest in political figures and influencers who, at the end of the day, have no idea that I exist, let alone what I'm going through.

Politics is entertainment, and social media has exacerbated our descent into Kardashian-level inanity. In the daily drama, each side wants to play the long-suffering protagonist and constantly maneuvers to cast the other side as the scar-faced villain out to shred the Constitution and indoctrinate our children. I'm a right-wing guy, but I blame my side just as much, if not more, because they're in power and relentlessly vent their outrage at political and cultural figures. 

Politics used to be (or so I thought) about furthering positive legislation and ideas. How do we build and maintain a strong, prosperous nation for everyone? Today it's theater by and for thirteen-year-old class clowns. "Boy, he sure knows how to p*ss of the other side. I voted for this!" So much Internet space is wasted inciting division instead of sparking debate. The guiltiest are the celebrated, self-important opinion makers. No one cares about the cost of your groceries. They care about throwing spitballs and laughing at your reaction. Those of us toiling away, we're just the audience. We're expected to laugh or gasp in disbelief at the appointed moments.

None of this is to say that we should surrender to dispassion and defeat. Political engagement matters. Let your voice be heard.  Not all politicians and influencers, however flawed, harbor cruel intentions. But no politician or public figure is worth your humanity. Don't immediately suspect your neighbor because someone famous told you to. Free citizens can still offer the benefit of the doubt, even at the cost of social media likes. Kirk's heartbreaking murder should have awakened the better natures of our souls. Instead, it stirred the beasts. 

No, it's not just age that has fostered my cynicism. The actual rot passing for mature conversation took care of that. And, yes, I have contributed to it, but the paid leaders and influencers shoulder the brunt of the blame. I'm just a worker bee, and I'm here to say that we deserve better.

---- In memory of Charlie Kirk. May his family find comfort in his memory---

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The Case Against Alpha Male Culture

By David Bozeman

Is anyone else sick of Alpha males?

I don't mean anyone in particular, just the whole Alpha male culture that thrives online, in podcasts, webinars and even in politics. You probably know the whole excruciating mindset. "I'm bigger than you, I'm badder than you. I run 10 miles a day and bench-press 500 lbs. I drink protein shakes by the gallon. You wish you were like me and not such a loser. To be like me you have to..." And blah, blah, blah...

Ok, I'm exaggerating - slightly. The ever flannel-clad Matt Walsh makes fun of men who allow (!) their wives to drive them around. Clay Travis, the frat-boy, low charm version of Rush Limbaugh (and spokesman for a testosterone booster) has frequently mocked men who voted for Kamala Harris. One of my favorite rants comes from the financial advice community, a close relative of the Alpha Male tent show. "I was a millionaire by 25 because I don't just work hard, I work smart." Yeah! Don't you know these guys were obnoxious in high school? Some self-important executive recently revealed certain concerns/habits that would automatically disqualify any potential employee:

• Taking a pillow on a plane
• Asking about work/life balance
• Asking about paternity leave
• Asking if preferred pronouns are recognized

So, taking a pillow on a plane for neck comfort is out, but dropping the f-bomb every other sentence is permitted in his hyper-masculine, anti-PC workplace. Got it. And got it and got it. This plays out every day in our culture, and young men are just soaking it up. Jordan Peterson offers a slightly more refined version of Alpha male chic, but it's really more of the same schoolyard king-of-the-sandbox posturing. 

Not to suggest that this is a monolithic movement. Some Alpha male advocates inspire self-confidence, independence and camaraderie, but, in every movement, the loud and obnoxious tend to drown out the quiet, studious and decent, leading young males to rely on insults and personal attacks in lieu of reason and principle. "Soy boy!" "Beta male!" In other words, "I win."

Young men, if they evolve, one day realize the folly of thinking that success grows exponentially by pointing out someone else's failures. Ultimately, your greatest competition is yourself. Be better than you were yesterday. Instead of knocking your brother down, give him a hand up. Give him a kind word, even if he's different, even if he disagrees. I would say especially if he's different.

I feel kind of sorry for the obnoxious Alpha males. If you have to keep advertising who you are - how secure can you be? Bravado alone does not build and protect civilization. It also takes quiet, steady perseverance. It takes cooperation and acceptance, and, yes, sometimes showing a softer side, something at which 'Beta' males excel. Celebrate it. Take pride. Nothing against the consummate Alpha male president, Teddy Roosevelt, but I prefer the persistent, solemn pace of Calvin Coolidge as a model of leadership. 

The so-called lesser males don't look to Matt Walsh and Jordan Peterson for validation. They look within and to a higher power. It takes all of us to make life prosperous and interesting - not just a uniform row of warrior wannabes. The people in your life who matter will likely just roll their eyes at your bragging, but they will remember a kind deed or an encouraging word. Pay someone a compliment today - an Alpha male probably needs one!

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Make Summer Fun, But Don't Forget Swimming Safety

 By David Bozeman

This was originally published as a guest editorial in the Fayetteville (NC) Observer in 2022

Summertime for young people should offer fun, friendship and great memories, and what can be more fun than a cool, refreshing swim? Sadly, every summer brings the news that someone in our community, usually a young person, has drowned. Why is this the case and what do we need to know before heading out to the water?

According to the World Health Organization, drowning ranks as the third leading cause of accidental death worldwide, largely affecting children and teenagers. Males are especially at risk, with twice the mortality rate of females. These victims tend to be of lower socioeconomic status, representing rural and minority populations. The less educated are more likely to drown.

The male brain certainly bears examining. Young males in particular are more likely to take risks, such as swimming alone or in secluded waters not authorized for recreational activity. Males of all ages succumb to predictable notions of invincibility and bravado. The point here is not to assign blame to drowning victims or their families but rather to spark a discussion. It is not they who are tragically tone-deaf; it is society at large for not giving drowning the urgency it demands.

Adults, this is where you come in. First, we need to know what drowning looks like. Contrary to the popular image of someone flailing madly in the water, experts agree it usually happens in silence, in as little as a minute. A swimmer with his mouth open, gasping for air, his head bobbing in and out of the water needs immediate help. Hair blocking the eyes or forehead, trying to swim in a specific direction but with no progress are other danger signs. Safety experts agree on a few key suggestions:

• Don't go swimming alone
• Learn CPR
• Avoid alcohol before swimming or boating
• Add fences, alarms and cameras to home swimming pools
• Swim only in designated waters. Secluded spots pose such risks as rocks, debris, currents and extreme depths not always anticipated.

Most importantly, encourage swimming lessons. The YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs and local recreation-center pools are the best places to start. In a nutshell, supervise. Supervise the inexperienced swimmer. Supervise the experienced. In addition to adult supervision, encourage all swimmers to look out for each other. 

Many years ago I lost a family member to drowning. Surviving family members tend to torture themselves. "If only I hadn't looked away. . . If only, if only. . ." We endlessly ponder how far our best efforts go before fate takes over, but, as mere humans, our best efforts are all we have. 

News reports alone can't convey the devastation felt by families and communities touched by drowning. Individual stories are, in fact, chapters in a national tragedy, but we, as a society, write them off as an unfortunate offshoot of an otherwise carefree season. 

My wish is that young people can enjoy their summers and let go, if only temporarily, of care and worry, while still looking out for themselves and each other. Our job as adults is to foster the perfect balance between having fun and exercising caution. Youth is fleeting enough, let us hold onto its energy and innocence for as long as we can.

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Dear Corporate America: Leave My Candy Alone

 By David Bozeman

One sign that you're obsolete - or just plain old - is complaining that food and candy today is just not as good as it was "back in my day."    

Case in point: I found a favorite old candy at the Dollar Tree the other day. For those who don't know, Mary Janes are a beloved peanut butter/molasses treat, famous for its yellow wrapper and little girl in a dress. They have been a favorite for well over a hundred years. I was surprised, not having seen them in a while, so I grabbed a bag.

The words "Improved Recipe" should aways be a red flag. No longer oblong-shaped, they are now round like Tootsie rolls. And smaller. And not quite as good.

Must corporate America ruin everything we once treasured?

And don't blame my taste buds. Does anyone remember when 3 Musketeers came in a white wrapper?

So light, so fluffy - then came the silver wrapper sometime in the early 80s and - you guessed it - a new recipe. Chunkier and less fluffy, so I wrote to the M&M Mars Company. They responded that consumers sampled liked the new recipe and they offered me a coupon for a free bar. I eventually learned to like the new 3 Musketeers, but I still resent corporate America tainting our childhood memories and disappointing our tastebuds.

Remember when McDonald's restaurants were red and bright and welcoming to kids and families? Remember when Taco Bells look like actual tiny Mexican eateries? Today, most fast-food restaurants look gray, uniform and about as welcoming as your local DMV, catering almost exclusively to a hectic, app-centric, anonymous drive-thru culture.  Exploring why that is requires more space than we have here. Let's just say that the Almighty Dollar couldn't care less about your childhood memories.

Yes, time does erode some of the joy from life. Penny candy is just not as exciting for a grown-up. Still, it is possible to miss something you've never had, i.e., vintage, lovingly made candy free of the snips and 'improvements' of high-level corporate know-it-alls. The banality of a cynical, bare-knuckled age will drive even the tenderest among us to find friendship and innocence in Tik Tok videos and other mindless, fleeting pastimes, so it's not just you. You're not obsolete, you just have good taste.

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The Obsolete Man Vs. AI

 The Obsolete Man Vs AI

  by David Bozeman

You knew I had to cover this eventually. 

I know next to nothing about the subject except to say that everyone who hasn't been touched directly by it yet, will be eventually. Do any of us have a future?

I recently watched a short video of famed libertarian journalist John Stossel discussing the east coast dock worker's strike that almost occurred last fall (but was delayed till this year if negotiations fail). Aside from higher pay, the major contentious issue is automation and AI. Workers want to be assured their jobs are safe.

Stossel, however, is cheering for your robot replacements. As if hosting a cheesy info-mercial, he gushingly explains how automation is great because it does the same jobs more efficiently. What's not to love?

I'm very much a free market guy, which means I understand that efficiency drives our economy, i.e., getting the most work done for as little money possible. That is how any sane person would run a business, so I would applaud Stossel (and his guest economist who backs his claims) if he were speaking at a conference or if we were solving the world's problems over coffee into the night.

However, back in the real world. . . 

Let's say you're a fifty-year-old dock worker. Your boss pulls you to the side and informs you that your job will be eliminated within a year. Stossel cannot understand why you're not thrilled to be living in an age of technological wonders. Apparently, anyone who doesn't revel at the idea of losing his job to a robot is just a hard-headed dinosaur.

I know the arguments. Joe Schmo will be freed up to perform other, less strenuous tasks. Yeah, you may require some training, but what's not to love about reinventing yourself? The 'experts' never tell me: can I start over at fifty and still make my house payment/rent without interruption? Can I be sure that someone will hire me at age fifty-plus and nearing retirement? What is the cost, in terms of time and money, of reinventing yourself?

As manufacturing jobs were shipped overseas, we were seduced into complacency with promises of an 'information-based' economy. We in America will work at computers and push buttons, with the heavy lifting relegated to Asia and Mexico. As it turned out, the information jobs went overseas, as well. And retail/service jobs aren't guaranteed to stay around, either. 

What irritates me is the smug self-assuredness of the paid thinkers and experts. "It's you little people who need to reinvent yourselves to remain viable. You don't think that applies to US, do you? The world will always pay us for our deep, profound insights." AI has a way of surprising even the smartest among us. All you scholars and talking heads, don't get too comfortable.

According to libertarians, minimal government and a market economy will maintain a stable, prosperous society. However, if entire swaths of the country feel obsolete - and, as a result, become unemployed and hungry - the stability we have taken for granted will prove to be as obsolete as the jobs resting in history's proverbial dustbins.

I have few if any answers to offer. I'm just here to say that the greatest of theories render real-life consequences about which maybe the 'little' people should lead the discussion. The great thinkers are right - don't let society render you obsolete. But they are speaking to you as a cog in the economic wheel. I consider you, the reader, someone much greater. Your potential for life, for contributing to humankind, far exceeds mere dollar signs.

Ultimately, AI and automation are not the greatest enemies of prosperity and fulfillment. Our obstacles are human - the smug, elitist opinion-givers, some famous, some not, who make the rest of us doubt not just our own abilities but our worth as human beings (not meaning to be too hard on John Stossel - his work stands out in a field of predictable thought).

Just one man's perspective, observations born of hard work, disappointment and triumph. This post not AI generated.

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