Dec. 10th @ 9:45AM in Clark’s Cabin -presentation by Ron Masters on Italy as a microcosm of impact of demographic changes. "Italy Is about to Disappear?"   

A population needs a little more than 2 births per woman to replace itself without immigration. Italy’s birth rate is only about 75% of replacement; i.e., like going 3 months every year without any births. This has already started a downward spiral, without any clear solution: Too many elderly rely on too few workers to pay for medical care and pensions, which puts upward pressure on government debt and taxes, which puts downward pressure on the economy, leading to higher prices, a brain drain, and immigration from poorer countries to fill jobs.  It costs too much to raise each child—now 30% of family income—so people don’t have children. The cost per worker of pensions and medical care for the elderly will soon be a similar percentage, with no ability to opt out. Italy’s debt/GDP is already far larger than EU rules. The rural south is worse off than the industrial north, leading to political tensions and xenophobic right-wing governments. Is there an escape from Charybdis?

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11AM.

Masks are now optional. The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

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