Last night as we gave out candy to trick or treaters, I wondered what their futures would be. My generation enjoyed a strong economy, affordable education, plentiful jobs, strong unions, living wages, the expectation of pensions, a viable environment (with some concern over atmospheric ozone) and tremendous optimism for the future.

Unless we elect a president and congress of Americans who care about the people and the planet more than about money and power, there isn't much hope for American children.

This election could breathe life into or doom life on this planet, as we know it. Star Trek vs Star Wars.


Z

and like 3 decorated houses at the entrance (they always "represent" the community)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating#Trunk-or-Treat
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-462091/How-children-lost-right-roam-generations.html

some houses more decorated than others (some Dads go all out). We had about 300 pieces of wrapped candy and ran out by 7:30. There are quite a few kids in our middle class neighborhood (local grade school, safe, quiet streets), but most of the kids were not from our neighborhood, and nearly all were in large groups with adults in charge, usually moms. We're probably 70% white, not gated, no neighborhood organization, generally liberal, fairly well educated, live-and-let-live, almost no crime. I bought the candy from ordinary stores (CVS, grocery store), so we didn't have anything special. Today I was trying to figure out why so many unfamiliar kids, including some with parents who could barely speak English, would want to come to our neighborhood on Halloween. Then it hit me: it wasn't the candy, so it was probably the peacefulness, the safety. When I realized that, it broke my heart. Yes, there are some rough neighborhoods in our general area; trick or treating could be problematic. Next year, I'll buy more candy.

And, of course, vote for Bernie.

I know what you mean, MisterP, about kids being controlled these days. Last night a friend told stories about how, when he was a kid, they'd do things like throwing raw eggs at houses that didn't have candy. I cannot even imagine that happening now.

NIMFYism and gated communities

there's a lot of kids bussed in for Halloweens, and that riles some of the douchier types

but the burbs aren't what they used to be (even the pre-1980 ones): used to be that being a grocery manager was enough to rent--heck, OWN--one

Sanders is indeed the candidate of those who have been left behind by the status quo--it's not nostalgia, it's nothing working out for people who've followed all the rules and did everything right

So many who are affected by this, grocery managers, electricians, plumbers, machinists, etc. etc., that's the level of detail Bernie needs to evoke. Once upon a time -- 1950-1980 -- working class Americans could own homes and, thanks primarily to strong unions and a fair tax schedule, one parent could stay home to raise the kids.

That's a stable, workable society. We can have that again.