Suicide, at 50-year peak, pushes down US life expectancy

[Shoonra]

4. Normally, this statistic has only limited political significance, but ....

With the way things are, I would not be surprised if the Trump policies had a lot to do with the rise in suicides.

The American economy is eroding, with companies closing or down-sizing, and Trump's trade war doing more damage to American employers as well as causing prices to rise on many common products.

The declared Trump goal of killing off Obamacare means, to many middle-aged and elderly Americans, the prospect of a wretched old age, unable to afford medicines or medical treatment.

The rise of racial animosity, the White House indulgence of racists and 'nationalists', shooting massacres with increasing frequency, and sweetheart deals for dictators and oppressors, means a world in which American honor has been frittered away.

Gerrymandering and similar tricks that indicate the same politicians will remain in charge until they die.

The destruction of the environment, with the prospect of air, water, and food becoming difficult to obtain in the near future, does not encourage anyone to live to that hideous time.

And the beat goes on.