RSSI think this is the self-destructive response of a people who once were the hard working backbone of American, but realize that no one needs them or gives a damn about them anymore. It’s the consequence of the disconnection from a sense of meaning, purpose, and the larger project of society.
The declining economic status of the less educated portion of the white population is nothing compared to the loss of purpose in life that these people have experienced. It is the status of the dispossessed.
I suspect the experience of dispossession is common to those who suffer rising death rates. And here’s a speculation: people who are low in clannishness and high in future orientation have a greater need for culturally provided teleology than those who live for their clan and live in the moment. Take that away and they suffer.
Country music provides an insight into the blue collar / redneck health crisis in the US. A large percentage of the songs revolve around alcohol consumption, perhaps best stated in “Nothing To Do But Drink”

Hi Sinotibetan,
I feel you are intelligent and more than warrant having your opinion on these matters. However after reading a number of comments I feel you have an agenda. Now I can skim read your comments and look for anti-islam phrases which ALWAYS turn up. Your “argument” with Sam highlighted this fact too.
Anyway my point is an educated man such as yourself should take a more balanced approach, you are as bad (in my opinion) as the “jew-hating muslims” you hate. Plus I think muslims/arabs/islam has enough enemies i.e. Fox news and other Murdoch owned media, and western governments with powerful pro-israel lobbies.