Good post Sherman. The unfortunate and frighten part of the rotting of the areas that are government dependent is that was it will get to the point where there is no more free stuff. Anarchy will ensue and those people will then start expanding their areas outward to try to survive.
Hopefully those of us in the small, rural communities won't have to be forced to defend that which is ours.
Like you, my wife and I are well into the downhill side of life but still have the skills, health and will to survive.