The fact that premies are in a ponzi scheme has nothing to do with whether they are prosperous and happy.  You can be in a ponzi scheme and be blissed out.  The fact that premies might be prosperous and "happy" (whatever that means), doesn't affect whether it's a ponzi scheme or not.

So, again, I get the impression that you think ex-premies are saying all premies are deadbeats, something I at least have never said, and don't believe, and what you just quoted from me says nothing of the kind.

Plus, as I have said a number of times, it's quite possible, I believe, to be a premie at least in name, maybe even have a picture on the wall, and just ignore almost all the belief system, even though at some level, one still has it.  It's more about lowered expectations.  If you stop thinking you have the "ultimate" and just accept that it's what you believe and enjoy hanging with your friends at festivals sometimes, you probably wouldn't be all that bothered about being a premie.

But when push comes to shove, the beliefs are still there, and I agree completely with Mike that on balance one is a lot better off not having them.  I certainly speak for myself in that regard, and I believe that no matter how one has learned to cope with the contradictions, that remains true.