Re: The "American Dream"
I was a child in the sixties and seventies. I remember:<br /><br />1. Being gone all day, with my buds, was NOT an issue. We were safe from perverts, etc.<br /><br />2. My bud's parents were perfectly welcome to discipline me, and their own, if we did someting stupid. The same for the school. There were not allot of lawyers lurking about or, parents shirking their responsibilities.<br /><br />3. We left the keys, in the car.<br /><br />4. The house was unlocked.<br /><br />5. If somebody needed something, you gave it to them. Most likely, you would be repaid, with a bonus. I remember giving fuel to sharecroppers. The bounty in vegetables, come harvest time, was more than repayment. It was unwritten, but followed. No contracts, other than just doing the right thing. Both parties were grateful.<br /><br />Was there prejudice-absolutely. However, there was respect-on both sides. I was fortunate, I grew up in a family that held no prejudices.<br /><br />My parents taught me to not be judgemental, however to discern. If a man was a good man, you could tell, based on his actions and how he took care of his family.<br /><br />Are we better off today? That depends on what you determine to be "better off".<br /><br />Money and riches-probably. Quality of life-absolutely-NOT!
