ONLY SENIORS CAN SEE THE BAMBOOZLING OF AMERICA

By Frank Kaiser


Have you noticed?

Honesty, that great American virtue as venerable as Washington's cherry tree and Honest Abe Lincoln, has nearly disappeared from these shores. Those of us old enough to remember its heyday might wonder where it went.

Don't you?

Gee, I can remember when a promise was a promise. When a man's word was his bond, and folks could be counted on to do what they said they would do.

If you're over 50, you remember, too.

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or anyone else, the whole damn country has fallen apart and is buried in so much financial trouble, social trouble and political trouble it will be difficult to ever see our way out. When liars, robber barons and psychopaths are the 'role models', what else can we expect. The ONLY thing that has a 'value' is the almighty dollar and EVERYTHING else is sacrificed to obtain as many 'almighties' as possible. I remember the good old days that were NOT so long ago; in the current world it will be difficult to ever get those basic fundamental values back.

See, I still stick by those phylosophies, and it took me a long time to finally realize that you can't depend on very many other people to do the same anymore!

I think it's linked to a steep rise in the middle class, and the foolish idea that telling a child NO, or giving them an "F" in school somehow destroys their self worth!

Tonight I just read a response to a frustrated mother who couldn't figure out how to convince her little gorl she couldn't have an ice cream every time the ice cream truck came down their street, even though it happened sometimes 2 & 3 times a day. Instead, she offered her the same ice cream treat from their freezer, but to the little girl it just wasn't the same (albeit twice as expensive!)

The advice was that the most important thing you can teach a child is "NO means NO" and "right from wrong". You as a parent must decide how often or even if you are going to let her have ice cream from the truck, and then stick to your decision. Children learn very quickly that there's a process to getting their own way.

1. Ask
2. If result is no, beg.
3. If result is still no, whine.
4. If result is still no, cry.
5. Parent gives in!

That teaches children that they can always get their own way, one way or another!

I say the rise of the middle class because when I was growing up, AND when we raised our kids, we really DIDM'T have the $$ to buy all the things they wanted. We weren't poor, and we had enough $$ to buy the necessities and to take a driving vacation to the lake and stay for a week, but certainly not enough to take the kids to Disney World! It was a treat to go to McDonald's for dinner once every few months! NOW, everytime parents take their kids to the store, they buy them something new! My greandkids are a perfect example, and the other day I asked the 10 YO "What's the deal? Almost everything out of your mouth is CAN I GET, CAN I HAVE, WILL YOU BUY ME, and CAN WE GO? And YES she firmly follows the 5 steps listed above!

I think somewhere we've raised one if not two generations with the idea that nothing matters but THEIR wants! They don't seem to have any ethics, or respect for authority. If you tell them they didn't keep a promise they made, they simply say I changed my mind!

It's sad, and I don't see how it can ever be changed back!

by the depression and ww2/korean war generation. i`m so thankful that i do have an understanding that i should be thankful for what i have today because tomorrow i may not have it.

This one item has caused an economic meltdown in our economy that has been well hidden for the last 20 years as it has steadily escalated. The breaking point is right around the corner...mortgage crisis is evidence it will be soon.

I think it goes back to the mid '80's when lending laws were laxed, & tax law redistributed burden on the middle class (thanks, Graham/Rudman, & I haven't seen a "trickle-down" since!).

The increase in technology has also spurred this. Technology is expensive. Keeping up w/Jones & wanting the "latest & greatest" of every new gadget NOW is another problem. (Did you get your IPhone yet?) Corporations have placed their $ in Marketing instead of Manufacturing & that has driven this idea. To maintain this greedy, "I want it now" lifestyle, both parents must work. Kids are left unattended too much of the time, raising themselves largely & are not being taught family values.

All of this has increased the divorce rate & breakdown of the family.

We cannot replace loving families w/stuff. Stuff does not make you happy in the long run. Until Amurika realizes this, we will continue to head down the crapper.

Back in the early 80's the Co I worked for hired several new college grads as auditors. Since we were a retailer, they had to do a lot of traveling. The co. had to sign for CC's for these guys because "They didn't have any credit history to get their own cc!" Imagine that now!!!!

I've always been very cautious with my credit, and when we bought a 2 yo used car 3 years ago from a local dealer, even though we were going to pay cash, they insisted on a credit check. The salesman came out and said "Do you realize you could buy any vehicle I have with no money down? Your credit rating is so good, you could walk into a Mercedes dealer, order a new car with what ever options you wanted, put no $$ down, and they'd say, we'll call you as soon as it comes in!" Sure it was nice to hear, but what kind of BS is that? I couldn't afford a new Mercedes!!!!! or any of the pricier cars this dealer had, but the damn banks would let me buy it anyway???? BS BS BS!

i have noticed even people here do not understand that it was`t polite to ask people who they voted for,what religion they were, and what they did behind their doors. people who were crude ,vulgar,and lied were not accepted as someone one would associate with.

My 86 y/o parents were buying into the "conservative" Faux Noise line of BS. I've been working on them (gently) for the last few years and they're learning that what you see on the TV and in the RW fishwrapper isn't close to the truth. It was extremely satisfying to Give my Mom a copy of an Arundhati Roy CD and a Thom Hartmann book and see her want more.