re: In '66 I was flunking calculus and trying to get in the Naval Reserve.
They were in Texas at the time.
I tried to get into the Navy in 90, but I flunked the vision test due to my bad right eye. Good thing, I found out later I get very seasick in 30 foot swells. I also fluncked calculus my first time but made a B on it my second try. The teacher I had made all the difference.
"It's gotten progressively worse ever since."
Yes, and the 2000 election did not help at all.
What amazes me is how evenly split the country is. What are the odds of that? That is why the elections are so close.