Rude Awakening

[Michael G.]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

[alwann]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

Thanks for adding depression to my old-age Malaise.:ohdear:

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Oh yes the good old days when everyone was perfect , I could go on why they weren’t so perfect but why ruin another the world has gone to hell in a hand basket thread rant and these kids don’t know how good they have it and how lazy they are , but I have to go to gym now

[dewilson58]

:shrug:

[Stu from NYC]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

You ought to give credit to the author

[rustyp]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

OMG can we revert back to "just curious what do you think" ? I just ran out of antidepressants.

[Stu from NYC]

Pay attention to the ratings the OP threads receive.

How does one do that?

[Dotneko]

Pay attention to the ratings the OP threads receive.

I never noticed that you could 'rate' a thread before. Thank you.

[Topspinmo]

Copy and paste job without attribution of a doomsday diatribe found all over the internet.


For some of us doomsday approaching fast. Or should I say grim reaper. So really not our problem or worry. Nobody gets out of this world alive. :welcome:

[jswirs]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

I agree. There are far too many young folks that maintain an irrational sense of entitlement, mostly because they are ungrateful for all they have. However, not all young people are this way.

[tsmall22204]

You are such a pessimist, things have changed because life has moved on. I want better things for my children, you are asking for them to suffer as possibly you did. That is wrong.

[allsport]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

My grandparents used to talk like this in the 40's. Please, times have left you behind. Flip phones and wedding mints are gone. Your kids are the parents of these kids and that means that parenting has contributed to what you call a problem and many of us call progress. Get the horse and buggy out, I am sure there are places that would love to go back to well water and fashion businesses that go belly up. The forest would be a great place to live without the amenities.

[Luggage]

I think you're worried about inflation, however what's really funny is for at least the last 70 years we have had a better and better every single year that was standing what one person asked on national TV quite a while ago. Do you realize that even though we have been forewarned about the problems with automation and lack of jobs for at least 70 years since robots were invented and computers came into use there has been job growth virtually every single year, more restaurants or retail malls more factory jobs and more office jobs? Last year we were told there were 10 million jobs were available and only 5 million people to take them but somehow every month there are three or four hundred thousand new people working at jobs. America still is the greatest country in the world

[Dantes]

Correct it’s coming

[Luggage]

By the way I have three children, all of them have high six-figure incomes and are doing quite well thank you very much, my middle child is now planning a wedding for next year and they are the type not to spend a huge amount and have a smaller wedding because I understand affording a house is more important than being extravagant. My son is a type to buy a bicycle used rather than to spend full retail. And yes all of my children in their late thirties early forties have large ira accounts because I have taught them well to save but they should also spend money to enjoy life, obviously you have not been taught that.

[rpalumberi]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

we are here because people look the other way because the effort to counter the mayhem thats been going on for some time interferes with the cushy life those before us and some of us presently fought & worked hard to provide - head in the sand, we don't want to have to fight this ourselves especially now that we're retired but you'd think we all would eventually draw a line in the sand - my response here is part of the line I've drawn - can't believe some of the lazy, useless comments I read above

[Lindsyburnsy]

I also remember when we were all patriotic. January 6th would hv outraged our veterans. Today rather than listening to actual testimony, many will be gaslit by a certain cable news outlet who refuses to televise it, yet the Queen’s jubilee was well covered. 😕We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

[Djean1981]

Some people seem sorta happy at even the prospect of hard times. This post reminds me of how grandpa walked 5 miles to school in the snow, uphill. Lol

[Marine1974]

Sounds like someone doesn’t appreciate the young people who
are working hard providing services for us older people. Think about
what they have inherited from us in the way of national debt to provide for your existence, a current government that Jimmy Carter described as a political system run by oligarchs.
No they don’t have it as easy as we did . We got pensions and other benefits the young will never see .
Might be the other way around, because the young people of today
are being paid with a devaluation in our currency. Open border with millions of illegals flooding our country that our young people have to pay for .

[quietpine]

Longing for a past that never was is at the heart of division in our country. It’s time to move on.

[pdp07]

Don't forget we walked 5 miles to school in the snow, uphill both ways.

[MandoMan]

I remember those days well, but they weren’t the good old days. These are the good days. I’m enjoying every one.

[jricci13]

I see a number of people "complaining" about this thread's author having the nerve to complain! There is no harm in remembering how to be thrifty and conserve; especially with the state the the current economy and what could very easily be useful information to spoiled brats in the next couple of years. This description of life 50 years ago by the author is accurate. My mother used to take those cute flowery grain sacks that fed the livestock on my grandfather's farm and make shirts for my sister and I...and we loved them!

[Topspinmo]

We don’t matter many more. We’re old and nobody listens to use cause they know better. We will never change our views no matter what. We can spout how good job we did, but our watch is over…..we no longer matter.

[Cindy619]

You totally described my childhood!

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

Wow. Just...wow. An unenlightened rube painting an entire state with a very broad brush. How small and confining your world must be.

I get the sense that the OP copied this from somewhere else. The reference to Hot Springs is very dated. If you recall FDR used to go there for vacations.

I generally agree with the sentiments but it doesn't fit our current situation. Another poster was more on target explaining the economic realities of debt and other matters that more accurately paint the OP's pessimism.

[Marine1974]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.
Look at and consider the soil our foods were farmed in , cows diet compared today and it might explain what we left them with . Currency, national debt dollar lost 90 % of its value to the US postage stamp conversely what happened to salaries ?

[Marine1974]

Your right we got pensions and other benefits they do not . So savings is more important than ever .

[Linnberg]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

And they don’t have free medical plans, pension plans, health insurance and work for companies that have no more loyalty to them than they have to their employers. For
Those of you who complain about how easy it is and how spoiled seem to forget that we were taken from our employers from. Cradle to grave all free benefits and life employment until layoffs began our profit sharing plans were covered by the most part from our employers and many also had lifetime pension plans plus sales had large
Expense accounts that included free client lunch dinners and some even had free golf.
Our pay was more realistic and what is paid now is less than the Increase in costs. Most do require help from parents if they wish to buy a house or be independent and have no life savings.
Need to rethink how we see them today compared to our working days.

[butlerperkins@gmail.com]

2022 0609 Thursday @ 10:33
re: We are all about to have a rude awakening.
National debt? Realization that the United States is not the center of the universe? The next lot of presidential candidates?

re: Some of us are old enough to remember the past.
No, none of us are old enough to remember the past. We just do not live that long.

re: The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are our children. We raised them. We must take partial responsibility for their behavior, as do their teachers.

re: They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family.
My "ride" presently (while out of town) is a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis GS. My "ride" (primarily) in TV is a 1993 Dodge Caravan ES.

re: And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house.
My mom co-signed for a one bedroom apartment rental for my wife and I. We started with a couple of webbed lawn chairs and we slept on the shag carpet floor. We loved each other (material possessions didn't matter).

re: Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?)
No. We had a three day weekend in the Amish country in Pennsylvania. We used a coin phone to announce that we had eloped. Had a reporter from the newspaper not been at the courthouse (in Maryland) doing an article on eloping couples, there would have been no wedding pictures!

re: A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Being from the south, I understand your meaning. It would have been a wonderful experience (and still would be wonderful). Our two nights in a hotel was a real treat.

re: There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out.
My wife came to the United States at the age of fourteen (with her mom, dad and two siblings). She didn't speak English. Many of those from overseas opened their own businesses. The United States is still a dream for many.

re: They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers.
We cook at home, carry a cooler and rarely eat out. We both have food intolerances. We believe that "environmental factors" changed our bodies.

re: Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED.
I am picky, yes. I have an intolerance to lactose and alliums (garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, shallots, ramps, fennel and chives). I am the only person in my family to have "issues." I developed these intolerances in my mid thirties and early forties.

re: We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
At the rate food is rising (in price), I built a new raised bed in the yard with vegetables coming. Given your aforementioned list of foods, I would not be able to partake in half of them, at least. I buy my ingredients and make simple meals. Kudos to all the staff in restaurants that tailor the food to my intolerances. I feel guilty for having to ask for exceptions.

re: People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
Looking back at the size of the closets that my parents used, there were few garments. However, mom had a white ermine wrap and a coat with an ermine collar. Dad bought his suits while traveling in Hong Kong. I am wearing $13 jeans from Costco (brand: Urban Star [no longer showing on the Costco site]) and they stretch. I have a lot of clothes! Mom worked as a research chemist for thirty three years for the USDA at the Southern Regional Research Center in New Orleans. She worked with fabrics.

re: And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips.
I don't snack. I am about 155 lbs., 5'10", wearing waist size 30, inseam 32/33. I am the "poster child" for a BMI chart. My children are both "fit."

re: And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
I mostly take water from an RO (reverse osmosis [filtered]) faucet next to the sink. I take bottled (Costco [Kirkland]) water only because I dry out and I don't want to seek out public water fountains. I will switch back to water bottles this month.

re: People weren't being constantly entertained.
True. We listened to a reel to reel tape at night (music), as a family taking dinner (supper). We did a little television ("black and white", initially). The radio did AM channels; the few that there were. I loved the book-of-the-month club books.

re: Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations.
We played "army" with machine guns - all over the neighborhood, with tons of friends - all summer (year!) long! We also bicycles everywhere.

re: No fancy vacations.
Before the divorce, we traveled a lot. My father had an office in Nassau. We would go there periodically. We visited Florida a lot (Silver Springs, Cypress Gardens and Weeki Wachee and the beaches on the panhandle).

re: There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
I love the technology ("extras") that we have today. My Apple AirPods arrived yesterday afternoon. I ordered them yesterday morning! :-) The "extras" that I possess are not construed as "rights." They are extras and they allow me to communicate, listen and learn.

re: Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
I have been fortunate all of my life. I sometimes sit down just to eat and I think of just how fortunate I am to have such a bounty of food. I am thankful at my beautiful new (small) home in TV. I am thankful for a car (old) up north and a car (old) down south. My wife, born overseas (deceased [colon cancer]), steadfastly maintained that the United States was the best country in the world. I reflect back on her words often.

re: People shed blood and died to give us this life.
On May 30th, you might have seen me at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. I went alone and I sat alone. I felt the need to be among fellow Americans. I felt deeply thankful.

re: AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.
I do not feel that I "deserve" to be in my "position". God, if you will, intervened and gave me opportunities. I look back on my parents, their parents, their parents, etc. and deeply appreciate all that I "have." In this tiny oasis called The Villages, I have a small home and a new life. I am ever so thankful, every day.

[LianneMigiano]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. ...these extras that we consider "Rights". Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude...
I'm 81 and the only reason that I have a kitchen is because it came with the house! I am grateful to be an American, but I don't consider these extras to be "rights". They are just changes - some of which many can afford and that substantial numbers of others have never been able to obtain. If we're all going to start experiencing hardships even if we're of moderate income, what's going to happen to all of those who are already suffering hardships?

[debem1@aol.com]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.
The only thing I disagree with, is that children CAN NO LONGER PLAY OUTSIDE OR RIDE THEIR BIKES ALL OVER like we used to do. It's a shame, but it is THE TRUTH!!!!!!!

[Number 10 GI]

Some people seem sorta happy at even the prospect of hard times. This post reminds me of how grandpa walked 5 miles to school in the snow, uphill. Lol

I don't know where you went to school but I attended a one room elementary school in rural Iowa where the road we walked to get there was a dirt road. When it rained it became ankle deep mud and we had to wear overshoes. When it snowed it was sometimes 6-8 inches of snow. Yes it was an uphill walk. My brother and I only had a half mile walk but there were a couple of boys that had a two mile walk. The heat for the winter months was a large coal/wood burning stove we had to shove our desks around in order to stay warm. No running water and outhouses.

[Lindsyburnsy]

All good with mobs breaking through barriers, injuring and killing a police officer, and wanting to hang the VP while waving big flags of a moron's face over the stars and strip? Ok then.

[jimjamuser]

I think you're worried about inflation, however what's really funny is for at least the last 70 years we have had a better and better every single year that was standing what one person asked on national TV quite a while ago. Do you realize that even though we have been forewarned about the problems with automation and lack of jobs for at least 70 years since robots were invented and computers came into use there has been job growth virtually every single year, more restaurants or retail malls more factory jobs and more office jobs? Last year we were told there were 10 million jobs were available and only 5 million people to take them but somehow every month there are three or four hundred thousand new people working at jobs. America still is the greatest country in the world
The US ranks between 20th to 35th on world lists for various qualities of life. Maybe around 1950, it was in the top ten.

[jimjamuser]

I don't know where you went to school but I attended a one room elementary school in rural Iowa where the road we walked to get there was a dirt road. When it rained it became ankle deep mud and we had to wear overshoes. When it snowed it was sometimes 6-8 inches of snow. Yes it was an uphill walk. My brother and I only had a half mile walk but there were a couple of boys that had a two mile walk. The heat for the winter months was a large coal/wood burning stove we had to shove our desks around in order to stay warm. No running water and outhouses.
Sounds like a tough early life, but if that was all you knew, maybe it wasn't so bad. Where I grew up, every home had running water and no outhouses. It sounds like back then that there were 2 Americas - the coastal US and the Mid West.
..........Actually, maybe things are still the same today.

[DAVES]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

The good old days. I have movie proof that much of what we remember just is/was not so. I have 16mm movies taken at several family outings by my uncle a WWII combat photographer. We never had a 16mm projector so I never saw them. When, my mom passed, I had them transferred to DVD. They show me at like 5-6. Memories,
my parents were a lot younger than I remember. As a kid I remember being scolded for littering. That evolved in memory that the streets were much cleaner when we were kids-the good old days. The movies show clearly trash blowing in the parks etc.

Wow, snow we had far more snow, it was up to my chest. Reminder I was three feet tall.

I grew up in poverty. Due to hard work and hard saving I am comfortable. Don't deserve it? No one gave it to me.

[Veiragirl]

Honeymoon in Arkansas ???

have never met, or heard, of anyone considering Arkansas as a destination for anything. Unless, of course, you were attending a Klan meeting.


Oh come on!! You aren't interested in knowing the history of why everyone in many small towns has the same last name? I wonder what's the percentage of folks with a complete set of teeth. MMEEEOOWWW

[jedalton]

I remember all of that

[RVJim]

I prefer to look forward not backwards. It seems like the older generations are always talking about how great it was and bad it is now. Instead of just bitching and complaining, try looking forward and finding solutions. These kind of posts are why the younger generations tune us out - nothing of value being said.

[jimjamuser]

And they don’t have free medical plans, pension plans, health insurance and work for companies that have no more loyalty to them than they have to their employers. For
Those of you who complain about how easy it is and how spoiled seem to forget that we were taken from our employers from. Cradle to grave all free benefits and life employment until layoffs began our profit sharing plans were covered by the most part from our employers and many also had lifetime pension plans plus sales had large
Expense accounts that included free client lunch dinners and some even had free golf.
Our pay was more realistic and what is paid now is less than the Increase in costs. Most do require help from parents if they wish to buy a house or be independent and have no life savings.
Need to rethink how we see them today compared to our working days.
We always thought that the next generation would be better off than ours. That stopped about 1985 when people realized
that their next-generation was NOT going to be better off. Some of the reasons for this change are wealth disparity due to tax changes, loss of unions, outsourcing, and US population growth.

[jimjamuser]

I'm 81 and the only reason that I have a kitchen is because it came with the house! I am grateful to be an American, but I don't consider these extras to be "rights". They are just changes - some of which many can afford and that substantial numbers of others have never been able to obtain. If we're all going to start experiencing hardships even if we're of moderate income, what's going to happen to all of those who are already suffering hardships?
To answer the last question.......those in the US will suffer and cause social disruption. And those presently south of the border will press into the US and cause FURTHER social disruption.

[jimjamuser]

The good old days. I have movie proof that much of what we remember just is/was not so. I have 16mm movies taken at several family outings by my uncle a WWII combat photographer. We never had a 16mm projector so I never saw them. When, my mom passed, I had them transferred to DVD. They show me at like 5-6. Memories,
my parents were a lot younger than I remember. As a kid I remember being scolded for littering. That evolved in memory that the streets were much cleaner when we were kids-the good old days. The movies show clearly trash blowing in the parks etc.

Wow, snow we had far more snow, it was up to my chest. Reminder I was three feet tall.

I grew up in poverty. Due to hard work and hard saving I am comfortable. Don't deserve it? No one gave it to me.
More snow then.......because that was before Global Warming.

[Tom&JenC]

I see you’re not from flyover state. :popcorn:

NYC area here. Atlantic Coast people honeymooned in Niagara Falls when I was a kid. Same thing as Hot Springs, I guess.
Of course nowadays Niagara Falls is a slum for the most part

[JMintzer]

More snow then.......because that was before Global Warming.

OH MY GOD!!! You completely missed the joke!

The snow was much higher because he was MUCH SHORTER! He was a little kid!

[Burgy]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

A lot of truth here. However we are leaving them with a lot of problems we caused and won't easily go away. And we have treated ourselves pretty well with Social Security and Medicare

[Tbrazie]

Honeymoon in Arkansas ???

have never met, or heard, of anyone considering Arkansas as a destination for anything. Unless, of course, you were attending a Klan meeting.

Serious cheap shot, and no I am not from Arkansas. Why the hate?

[joelfmi]

Workerism culture

[Keefelane66]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.
From what you describe sounds like you free up in the midwest?

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I get the sense that the OP copied this from somewhere else. The reference to Hot Springs is very dated. If you recall FDR used to go there for vacations.

I generally agree with the sentiments but it doesn't fit our current situation. Another poster was more on target explaining the economic realities of debt and other matters that more accurately paint the OP's pessimism.

FDR went to Warm Springs, Georgia.

[Keefelane66]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.
Maybe you should give credit where this originally came from, it's not your thoughts.
www.wichitaliberty.org | 520: Web server is returning an unknown error (https://www.wichitaliberty.org/economics/back-in-the-day/)

[The Chipster]

We are all about to have a rude awakening. Some of us are old enough to remember the past. The younger generation has been so spoiled by the goodness of living in the USA, that they have no idea what is coming.
They are about to see why our parents/grandparents drove cars until the wheels fell off. And why it was typical to have one car per family. And why young newlyweds weren't automatically entitled to a fully furnished house. Or lavish weddings (Do y'all remember when a wedding reception typically occurred in the fellowship hall of the church? And the only food was wedding cake, mints, mixed nuts and punch?) A honeymoon might include a night at a hotel, or if they were really lucky they might get a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
There weren't restaurants on every corner, because people only RARELY ate out. They cooked every meal at home. Or packed a lunch for the road. And they never wasted leftovers. Picky eaters? You either ate what your Mama cooked or you did without. AND NO ONE CARED. We are about to rediscover potato patties, soup, hash, biscuit pudding, rice pudding, cornbread in milk, and bread with gravy. NO FOOD WAS WASTED.
People had few outfits. Hand-me-downs were common. You had church clothes and play clothes. And you took care of those clothes. Holes were mended and it didn't matter if you liked the clothes or not. You wore what you had.
And people didn't snack or eat all day long either. People were rarely overweight. Because they didn't have an unlimited supply of food at their fingertips. And water came out of the faucet or water hose. Cold water came from a water jug that was kept in the refrigerator.
People weren't being constantly entertained. Kids played outside and made up games with their imaginations. No fancy vacations. There was no money for all these extras that we consider "Rights".
Maybe people will finally wake up and realize that it is a PRIVILEGE to be an American. And feel gratitude and quit being such entitled whiney babies.
People shed blood and died to give us this life.
AND WE ARE STARTING TO PROVE THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.


Feel better? Must feel good to get all of that off your chest. You know, don't you, that our grandparents said the same thing about us boomers when we were kids, right? Hope you can chill out and smell the roses.

[Decadeofdave]

The point is.....we are better equipped to deal with down turns in the economy because we have had to adjust at various times in life. People under 40 have never seen a real downturn in the economy or even 6 % interest rates. Some may be in for a rude awakening.

[Djean1981]

I have made do and been satisfied with riches or not. Most people adjust as needed. Every bump in the road is not a disaster.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Faux patriotic doomsday prepper social media tripe is still not true patriotism, is still conspiracy fear-mongering, and still tripe. No matter who regurgitates it onto this forum.

[Marathon Man]

Enough already with the "these kids are no good" BS. According the "old people" I was going to go deaf from rock and roll music, I was lazy and did not know how to do an honest day's work, I was spoiled and did not appreciate all the things that were given to me, I had no idea how to pay my dues to earn the good things in life ... The list goes on and on.

I refuse to be one of those "kids are no good" retired person now that I have arrived there.

[thelegges]

Must either be younger or different upbringing. Both of our parents bought new cars every 3 years. Our moms worked, didn’t want that degree to go to waste. So 2 car families.

We were both working full time plus going to school. We had 400 people at our wedding, (big families and lots of friends good time by all) and we paid for it ourselves, honeymoon in Arizona for 2 weeks. We bought our first home within 2 years of our wedding.

Grands had acreage of gardens with fruit, veggies, and chickens, that you didn’t name, cause could be Sunday dinner. Beef was raised by friends down the street. Grocery visit was few and between.

While up north we still buy from the same local farms, and miss them when in TV.

Our kids all hold degrees and are in the medical field. Our Grandchildren are in premed, one soon to medical school.
So guess we spent time making sure our kids and grandkids had a good education, to provide their lifestyle. One a side note oldest only as one car, he and his wife walk 2 miles to work, youngest single so one car. Middle only one with children, so 5 cars

So no I really can’t relate to the article

[Bay Kid]

My almost 16 year old grandson is heavy into golf. Good clean fun for a good kid.

[Babubhat]

I remember when hot dogs were a nickel…