General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This, my friends, is far too typical for my generation. [View all]NRaleighLiberal
(59,922 posts)This is an incredibly complex and frustrating issue. We all know how politics works, so blaming a generation for a particular president or policy is too simplistic - and many others above said, the election of Raygun was one of the most depressing and confounding experiences of our lives...I remember drinking very heavily that night (with my graduate school friends) in disbelief. In broad terms, the country back then was just as gullible to propaganda as always....I don't think it went as deep as even understanding trickle down or supply side - many were hoodwinked by that damn "likability" thing. And of course there is the inevitable pendulum swing of culture - I was amazed at how many undergrads were becoming conservative holy rollers (as post-doc me, the left wing hippy, wondered what went wrong).
My wife and I both worked our butts off when in high school and college, just as our daughters did. The difference is that the pay we earned was relatively much greater and provided much more help. I was making 5.00 an hour working the deli in a grocery store - it was unionized - back when I was 20 (37 years ago)....and when I compare that to what my daughter makes (less than 8.00) working part time in a grocery store (because they won't give her full time), it is beyond ridiculous.
Both our daughters have bounced back into our houses and out again as adults. It is not for their hard work, or talent. The country's goal posts have moved, and the game is rigged. We help them both as much as we can....but it is tough to watch. Real love indeed, and understanding.
We need to move beyond generalities, labels, broad brush strokes and do something that recent culture finds difficult - take time to think things out, work with complex issues, and mostly, ensure that we elect those who understand and can make things better (which of course in these ad, TV, social media and Citizens United times is only becoming more difficult).