In my column dated 03/02/17 I wrote that you, the reader, should be making preparations for a trip to the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament in Minneapolis. Why? Because the NRHEG girls and boys had a good possibility of going to the state tournament. Two teams, the same year, from the same small school. Wow!
The girls made it! They lost the first game and won the next two games to take the consolation trophy.
The boys made it! (First time in the history of the school.) They lost the first game and won the next two games to take the consolation trophy.
After the games, the talk of NRHEG Land was “The Era of the Wagners” for the girls, and Oakley Baker making 21 out of 21 free throws for the boys (a new state record).
Fast-forward 100 years to the year 2117:
• Because of socialized medical care and healthier standards of living, the average length of life is 150 years, with many living until 200. Social Security begins at age 125. There is no income or property tax. To cover socialized medicine, Social Security and no income or property tax, for every $1 you spend, a tack-on of 50¢ is collected and sent to the U.S. government.
• Canada is giving the same benefits with a tack-on of 50¢ per dollar spent. Mexico and Cuba are states of the U.S.A. (the border problems are minimal).
• High-speed rail between heavily populated areas has replaced some of the congested freeway traffic.
• Renewable energy is about 90 percent of our energy usage, with solar drones used for law enforcement, construction and agricultural needs. Recycling is almost 100 percent.
• Surprisingly, the population hasn't exploded. The death rate is just slightly more than the birth rate.
• Living NRHEG students of the 2017 girls’ and boys’ basketball tourney teams are planning the tenth 10-year anniversary of their being in the tourney at the same time.
Fast-back to 2017, and what this great prognosticator is certain of:
• The girls and boys basketball teams from NRHEG will never be in the state tourney again in the same year.
• There will be living NRHEG basketball fans and players in 2117 from the 2017 era.
• People will be living longer in 2117 versus 2017.
• There will be socialized medical care in the U.S.A.
• There will be major changes in transportation, energy usage, recycling and food consumption.
In closing, you are strongly urged to keep a copy of this column. At each ten-year anniversary, compare the actual to what was forecast. Your reaction will be “right on.”
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.