Well, thanks for that and perhaps I am a little harsh. Let me clarify that I am bashing a system, not any one individual. And you're completely correct, one can make it anyone if that person does the right things and has a bit of luck. I'm glad you're doing well and, yeah, oil and gas doesn't exactly rate as the most moral of sectors but as you say you are doing what you must for you and yours.

What drives me crazy is that a nation that makes such grand claims for itself (greatest country on earth, shining citadel on a hill, leader of the free-world etc) so thoroughly fails to actually live up to them. And, as if that's not enough, somehow through some sort of marketing genius meets Jedi Mind Trick they actually can convince millions of otherwise intelligent, caring and reasonable people that this isn't the case and to vote against their interests and have zero solidarity with others who are in the same situation - case in point the hatred heaped on those on this sub like me who dare mention taboo facts. So I sometimes go harsh to try and illustrate as best as I am able how outside the normal many US practices really are...