rumitoid

The Greatest Generation lived through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and WWII, more trying than any other time in our history, even the Civil War--and they not only prevailed, they overcame and were victorious. America became the greatest and most prosperous nation on earth in their era. How? What was it and why was it that made them such a force?

Or maybe the question is better framed as to what forces may have Changed Americans during the subsequent decades? Was it the public school system? Had our prosperity fattened us too much? Had one or the other political party helped to erode the character and condition that produced that wondrous generation? We can endeavor to find possible courses, yet I feel that may end up being counter-productive. Assigning blame does not change now. I just feel it is not so much the president's duty to make America great again as it us, as citizens, to somehow change and improve our attitudes and actions. He can do only so much.

That is just a few thoughts on the matter. What do you think? Try to be constructive where you can.

emarine

They put cocaine in Coca cola back then, everyone was too stoned to b***h...

rumitoid

Too funny. That may be the answer.

solarkin

The technology that is everywhere today might be the key. I don't think we recognize our world anymore.There is a vast ,spreading
dis-connect that is caused by something we are led to believe brings us together.
Obviously not everyone is as affected in the same way. I think our technology has outpaced our ability to effectively use it.
It probably won't change ,until it is forced upon us. People are too comfortable in their
consoling ,self stroking created realities.

rumitoid

Very interesting view, spot on I think. We used to have things that had some heft to them, like our toy trucks or real trunks. Gadgets that we would look to repair. Get shoes from a shoemaker and suits from a tailor. Now we pretty much are a throw-away and ease society. A sub conscience devaluation of the substance of our lifestyle. Matter is throw away stuff. Then what matters?

I see the disconnect you are talking about. Very interesting. Social media does not bring us closer together but keeps us in a bubble of our created image and keeping score of friends. Very nice. Thank you.

Kevyn

You forgot to mention the greatest thing this generation brought us, it is the reason our nation developed a strong prosperous middle class. The labor movement. They knew they had to stick together and fight and bargain for safe working conditions, living wages, and dignified guaranteed old age pensions. They brought due process to the workplace and lifted millions of Americans into the middle class. The erosion of organized labor and the rejection of the values of the greatest generation has caused the erosion of the well being of the American worker more than any other factor.

rumitoid

Wow, my bad, very true Kevyn. This was the basis of our fifties prosperity and how we became the greatest nation on earth. Labor Unions from the 1900s on were the energy and impetus to make our nation great.