This is not exclusively about me. It is about all things that my friends, many of whom I haven’t seen or spoken with in decades have experienced – we experience these things together as we share the same generation. We all share this even though many of us are thousands of miles apart. And sadly, some of these friends that shared these events are no longer with us.
These series of thoughts were generated last evening over dinner when my wife and pined over the fact that our grandchildren will have to do exceedingly well in life to even approach their parent’s level of success. We have often heard that the generation of which I am referring to will be the first to not do as well as their parents. That is a two edged sword – we brought our kids up to succeed and they did. Did we set a standard that makes their situation with their children very difficult?
There are so many reasons for this. Part is what we experienced that gave us another world view. In my lifetime I experienced World War II. While I was a child could not fully understand the implications, I remember War Bonds that my parents bought to help out even though they were not of any wealth. I remember family members in uniform. I can recall my mother’s worry over her brother and her nephew – both serving in Europe. I recall asking what the stars on the windows meant. I recall being terrified of the answer.
I was nine when we went to war in Korea. That I do remember vividly and the TV speeches of President Truman. Our family just had our first TV installed! My friends, my family and my family’s friends were terrified of the draft. (Our government had and still does have a Selective Service where 18 year olds can be drafted into the military in time of need). Numbers like 1A and 4F were being spoken about daily. (I was a 1D because I was in the Army Reserve at the time I needed to register).
The draft brought the wars to our door steps. We all felt the impact of the war. It was real and it was in our houses, it was in our streets, it was in our houses of worship – the draft had people we know and were close to in navy blue, khaki or olive drab. The draft had a presence in our lives that did not turn off with the TV. And we knew some of the casualties of war, like the kid that delivered our groceries. But wars lasted just three and a half years at the most!
The next was Viet Nam. A war without reason that killed more than 58,000 young Americans – most` of them were drafted. WWII we fought Hirohito and Hitler. Korea it was the communists that wanted to overrun a peaceful country but we really didn’t know who or why we were fighting in Viet Nam. Selective Service cards got burned, rallies were initiated and a new word crept into our vocabulary, “deferment.” Some other guy got to fight in your place. Vice President Chaney sent five other guys to replace him.
After Viet Nam we had some peace until we stirred some crap up in South America. Remember Iran-Contra? What was evolving was a basic distrust of the government in the matters of war. They lied and we knew it and they know we knew it – but who cares. The draft was over. No one was going to protest – “hell no, we don’t have to go.”
Welcome to WMD, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. They lied and we knew it and they know we knew it – but who cares. The draft was over. No one was going to protest – “hell no, we don’t have to go.” Unlike WWII where it was illegal to profit from war, the opposite is now true. So, the very rich got very richer. The government decided to pay for the war with tax reductions for the ones getting richer and not budget the expenses. And there is no real end in sight. No protest. Makes sense – if you are nuts!
A new guy comes into town and says we have to pay for these wars that kill people and cultures and pay for other items that enhance our people and our culture. That makes sense until you hear how the richest of the rich or those that are supposed to represent them want us to pay for these expenses. Raising revenues – no. Creating infrastructure – no. Cutting military expenses – no.
They say that lowering the responsibility of those that can afford to pay and have the most to protect will enhance our ability to bring down what we owe. That's nuts! So, what goes? Education – gone. College support – gone. Healthcare – trying to get it to go away. Social safety nets –about to go. Improved transportation – gone. All makes sense - if you are nuts!
Here’s the impact: When I went to college I spent nine semesters accomplishing what should have been done in eight – when courses became more demanding a four year program became five years. OK. My four and a half years, without books cost me about $231 in tuitions and fees – yes, books were extra. Yes, two of those years were in a Community College. Until the Right came in to power school was basically free – that idea died with the Reagan era of 1981.
My kids got a great education for minimal cost, even out of town tuition was within reach of our budget – add living expenses, that was within budget ,too. Yes, I had to get Stafford Loans, Pell Grants to make it – but they were there and affordable – not so much anymore.
My kids tell me they don’t know any different than what it is now. “It is what it is.” It is what it shouldn’t be. Since I was born my country was attacked twice – not one of my grandchildren were witness to either of these attacks.(Good thing) Since I was born we fought or are fighting five wars – I’ll bet that my grandkids and your grandkids under eighteen can’t tell you where we are fighting, or why. There is no public outcry - no draft – no “hell no we won’t go.” (Bad thing). The cost of these wars are creating a society that is exorcising everything we are supposedly fighting for. When these kids are ready to go to college will you or will they have the 1000 times what it cost then to pay now?
That is my take – you decide.
