Well, howdy there internet people, it's Bell again. So today we're going to talk about

Russia's special demographic operation and a new survey here in the United States. In the first

half of this year, Russia's official figures show that birth

rates in the country have dropped to their lowest levels in a quarter of a century.

This is despite Putin ordering that incentives be offered to women who raise 10 or more children.

Putin reinstated the mother heroin title for women who meet that unique distinction.

Ten kids.

Wow, just ten.

Head of Russia's Committee for the Protection of Families

told the press, quote, we must organize ourselves and conduct another special

operation, just like a special military operation, a special demographic

operation. I'm not a demographer but maybe rethinking the special military operation

might help boost those rates. If hundreds of thousands of men weren't deployed

some never to return there might be more babies.

Now, here in the United States, a survey of Gen Z and millennials found that about 23%

don't plan on having kids. Of those who don't want kids, 43% cited the financial freedom

that comes with not having children, and another 43% cited the inability to afford children as a motivation.

Additionally, 31% said they didn't want to have kids because of the political and social world their children would inherit.

Whether those who say they don't plan on having children do or don't,

the stated reasoning for not wanting to have kids should be an alarm bell for American policy makers.

The leaders of a system that suck all of the money up to the top when that money is required

to raise kids shouldn't be surprised when people stop wanting to have children.

...