came to a realization about how far we have fallen in my lifetime

[rockhound]

While working out last night i flipped on the Tv in the basement. Apolla 13 was playing in the back ground, my oldest daughter came in to watch, first time she had seen it. As we discussed the events that were playing out and the fact that is was based on real events that happened as i was very young, I came to the realization about how far we have fallen.

I was born three months before Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 landed on the moon. We were the most powerful nation on the planet and secured our position as such that very day. We were untouchable. The dominant military force, the most powerful economy, the largest producers of steel and coal and vehicles. Our capability of waging war and defending ourselves, defending our allies was unquestioned. Our president was admired. Our way of life was admired and sought after by most of the worlds population.

We had jobs, and produced our own goods, no one was on welfare and were embarrassed to be so. Food stamps had their place, but were not widespread. Mom's raised their kids and fathers stuck around to lead and be the mentor for son's that would gow up to be the same honest, hard working men. Having a blue collar was not frowned upon and the sweat of a hard earned day's wages was something to be proud of.

I remember seeing the The Freedom Train come to town and we all celebrated the fact that we had built the greatest nation on earth and were proud to be a part of it.

I just turned 45 years old this week and I have come to the realization that within my lifetime this country has gone from one of shear triumph and being the envy of the world to one that is a laughing stock, riddled with debt, that is hell bent on self destruction.

I am confused and honestly dumbfounded as to how this can possibly happen so fast. I do not see any end to our stupidity and am ashamed of what has transpired and what is to come. Ashamed of what we have created for my children. That we have guaranteed that for the first time in over 200 years our children will not better off than we were.

Sorry for the downer thread, but as nearly half a century has flown by me I have started to reflect a bit.

I am hoping that somewhere there are kids that will figure this out and put down their video games and make something tangible and real that can make a difference.

[Robb]

Sure wish I was able to refute what you're saying, but I can't.

[kidicarus13]

I am hoping that somewhere there are kids that will figure this out and put down their video games and make something tangible and real that can make a difference.

Ahhh, optimism. I'll just say this, momentum is a hard thing to slow down let alone change its direction 180 degrees. Hey kids... good luck, I wish you the best.

[mtnrider]

I was having these same reflections a few weeks ago. I wonder what kind of future my young children are going to have in this country ...and it scares me.

[Zundfolge]

[Great-Kazoo]

I am hoping that somewhere there are kids that will figure this out and put down their video games and make something tangible and real that can make a difference.

As a parent, it's you're responsibility to have them put down their video games, cell phones etc. Without guidance it's not their fault.

Until parent[s] are willing to be parents and not their children's BFF it will never happen. While there is a fine line between discipline and abuse, putting the fear of [insert deity] in to them, so they open their eyes & minds, is something a lot of parents don't have the backbone to do.

[rbeau30]

As a parent, it's you're responsibility to have them put down their video games, cell phones etc. Without guidance it's not their fault.

Until parent[s] are willing to be parents and not their children's BFF it will never happen. While there is a fine line between discipline and abuse, putting the fear of [insert deity] in to them, so they open their eyes & minds, is something a lot of parents don't have the backbone to do.

I believe in this comment wholeheartedly! I thought I was the only person who thought this. I constantly look at how parents treat their children like their friends. Commercials show it (IE: One commercial where the mom is tiptoeing into the kid's messy room to find a sock for the kid sitting just outside of his room. WHAT???? are you kidding?) TV shows show it (If my children talked to me or another adult like the children on these "ABC Family network" or other newish tv shows or movies did I would have some very unhappy children, because I would end that immediately)..

ugh it just irritates the piss out of me. And it is not going to stop easily or soon. Parents nowadays are so content with taking the path of least resistance by never having a moment of disappointment in childrens' lives and just appeasing them and doing all the work for them.

[rockhound]

As a parent, it's you're responsibility to have them put down their video games, cell phones etc. Without guidance it's not their fault.

yeah i think there are for too few of us around, my kids are all on time limtis with their ipods and video games, they are not allowed to take them in the car when the family is together, they are not allowed to have while we are camping or at the dinner table. they are required to engage the family and actually talk to one another. they have never been allowed to walk around a restaurant or play games in the aisles.

i have a buddy who's family came out for a week long camping trip with us last 4th of july, his kids have never been to colorado. we were in some of the most spectacular areas of the state for a week. his kids never put down their ipod and cell phones long enough to look around. what a shame.

I don't see this getting any better anytime soon.....

i know that a lot of you can relate to how i feel, i am not a religious person, but i don't believe you have to have religion to live an honorable life, and my kids are being taught right from worng and the value of a good days labor, (my son had to spread 10 tons of 1 1/2 gravel to earn enough money purchase a used xbox) that took him nearly a month to complete HA. But there are so many of these kids these days that would absolutely ptich a fit if they had to help dad spread gravel OMG there are people you can pay to do that.

I have taught him to sweat copper and run drain lines, fix drywall paint, he helped m build the new shop, start to finish. These kinds of skills are important and will make him a better man, there is only one of his good friends that seems to also get it

[SAnd]

Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon. I used to be encouraged and inspired by that saying. Now I just get bummed out by it.

[rockhound]

Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon. I used to be encouraged and inspired by that saying. Now I just get bummed out by it.

I don't think that that accomplishment is the end all to be all and it should not be, but it seems that it was at leat at the time proof that we were a great nation and that a melting pot of people and ideas could work and come together and reach a goal and unite everyone in a sense of accomplishment...

there have been other successes, but not in a long time.