2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Fifties were a better time. We need to return to a better Democratic Party. [View all]Armstead
(47,803 posts)Things like the Internet, cellphones...etc. are great. However, they also add one more expensive necessity to the burdens on individuals. Netflix may be a "luxury" but the ability to pay bills, buy things and do otehr basic business is increasingly being shifted to the web and mobile, etc. And when that adds another $1---$200 month in bills and fees....that puts more pressure on people.
Likewise with cars. When you have two parents having to work, it makes a second car more necessary. Plus we have designed cities and suburbs where walking is increasingly less of an option.
These and otehr things have put us into much more of a rat race -- We have to work harder to keep up, while businesses slash jobs and cut wages and benefits...etc.
And morality and integrity become less of a basic value and more of a "luxury" because everyone screws everyone else to stay even and/or get ahead.
At some point we're headed for a collective nervous breakdown.