Want to really know whats wrong with kids today?

[square1]

Their parents, grandparents (my generation), & great grandparents.

 

[Oaktree]

Then you contemplate the generation who preceded you left $35 trillion in debt that needs to be repaid. You who are stuck with that obligation. No way out.

I watched a number od D Day shows the past couple of days. Those kids (the greatest generation) grew up and had families. They probably passed on the knowledge and responsibility they saw during the war. They probably instilled in their children the ethics and responsibility they learned. Those kids the Baby Boomers (like me) lost some of that and our kids grew up in the expanding world of computers and social media whiz dulled their sense of responsibility.

Every generation blames the one before it for all the problems of the world. ISTR quite the "generation gap" in the 60s...the folks who fought WWII (the self-proclaimed "greatest generation") were the same ones who got us into Vietnam then blamed us boomers for not "winning" as well as being responsible for the stagflation of the 70s.

Every generation makes both positive and negative contributions to society. Even the best of intentions don't always work out in the long run. The millennials and Gen Z'ers will get their turn, and likely as not their kids will blame them for "screwing up the world" just like they're blaming everything on us boomers.

 

[plowhog]

Every generation blames the one before it for all the problems of the world. ISTR quite the "generation gap" in the 60s...the folks who fought WWII (the self-proclaimed "greatest generation") were the same ones who got us into Vietnam then blamed us boomers for not "winning" as well as being responsible for the stagflation of the 70s.

Interesting perspective.

I always viewed our disaster in Vietnam caused by McNamara and Johnson. McNamara was a statistics guy suddenly become war hawk, and Johnson micromanaged individual field decisions and imposed things like no bombing above the DMV line. Hard lessons we regrettably repeat today, at least somewhat, in Ukraine.

Regarding debt, I understand our national debt as a percentage of GDP is similar today as it was just after WWII. But since we emerged from a global war almost unharmed (no disrespect to the fallen), we became an economic powerhouse capable of repaying that debt. Decades of strong growth and prosperity contributed to that. I don't see those unique conditions in the near future nor likely never repeating.

So maybe the difference is the huge debt after WWII could be repaid out of economic expansion with little drag on the economy. Whereas today we have miniscule expansion with huge drags on the economy.

The future work force will be burdened with dealing with those.

 

[Sigarms]

Interesting perspective.

I always viewed our disaster in Vietnam caused by McNamara and Johnson. McNamara was a statistics guy suddenly become war hawk, and Johnson micromanaged individual field decisions and imposed things like no bombing above the DMV line. Hard lessons we regrettably repeat today, at least somewhat, in Ukraine.

Both my mom and dad served in the early 1950's.

My father finished out his career in the military pretty much from Laos in 1973 after he had to go stateside for medical care.

Both of my parents blame Kennedy for Vietnam.

I was too young then, but that's what I got from my parents.

History repeats itself don't you know? Who got us into the middle east and exactly how long and how many presidents did it take to get us out?

A simple litmus test... Go to war or don't, don't get into a "conflict".

The men who served in WW2 are no different than the men who served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. Only difference was the country was at war in WW2.

 

[ultrarunner]

Every generation has to find its way and the opportunities and challenges vary...

When I hear gripes about how easy parents had it I can't help but say like being drafted to serve or being crippled from Polio?

Then I say military benefits earned are even better today for those that serve and available to you.

We have several excellent nurses that were only able to become nurses and home owners through their voluntary military service.

One saw the military as her ticket out and she made the best of it...

Growing up all the dad's served WWII in some capacity from merchant marines to combat pilots and used their benefits for education and home ownership...

Every home flew the flag and VJ and VE days were remembered...

Two houses down my friend's dad lost an arm in combat and provided for his family with one arm... across the street the dad was badly burned at Peal Harbor.

The parish priest was shrapnel wounded at Pearl Harbor and it was always a big deal at church.

Most families had someone killed or wounded in battle... classmates had fathers serving in Vietnam...

The pledge of Allegiance started everyday at the school flagpole and I raised the American flag for 3 years chosen because I was in Scouts.

We had three flagpoles... tallest American Flag and flanked on both sides by California and our School Flag.

Raising and lowering to half mast was a big deal...

 

[Hay Dude]

That is a heart warming story.

But to answer your question

• fatherless homes
• these kids came from churches, all kids should be taken to church
• parents on dope, lack of parenting
• systemic welfare/poverty enabled by gov't

I could go on, but its early, trying to wake up.

And a healthy dose of “you’re a loser unless you go to college”.

 

[Sigarms]

The pledge of Allegiance started everyday at the school flagpole and I raised the American flag for 3 years chosen because I was in Scouts.

Are you old enough that you remember the Bellamy salute?

There is a fine line between being patriotic for a good cause and one considered bad. The only reason why that name has disappeared from American history books is because of **** Germany and Adolph ****** H I T L E R (seriously, we can't even spell his name here per actual history in the world?).

You also understand that people were killed because a Jehova's Witness refused to do the Pledge in school due to their religious freedom?

 

[ultrarunner]

I’m mixed on college…

Maybe because I was always working and not a part of campus life?

The reason I say mixed is because without its often used against you.

As far as making your way plenty with zero college and a solid trade or entrepreneurial acumen continue to real well.

Too often those with college are too full of themselves…

Little respect for labor as if your college degree is going to get your HVAC installed or clear the roots from sewer line.

Some of the worst chiselers I have ever met hail from the University Professor ranks…

 

[2manyrocks]

College today is pretty danged expensive for what it has become.

 

[ultrarunner]

Are you old enough that you remember the Bellamy salute?

There is a fine line between being patriotic for a good cause and one considered bad. The only reason why that name has disappeared from American history books is because of **** Germany and Adolph ****** H I T L E R (seriously, we can't even spell his name here per actual history in the world?).

You also understand that people were killed because a Jehova's Witness refused to do the Pledge in school due to their religious freedom?

No… to both.

It was an honor to be a Flag Boy grades 6, 7 and 8.

I don’t know what they do in schools today except the mere display of the American flag in local schools is deemed provocative but not for the Mexican flag?

I fly the flag and last Memorial Day had the only flag in the neighborhood and have been asked several times if I was taking a risk displaying the flag…

Growing up not a home anywhere did not have a flag on Memorial Day…

Neighbors then were Catholic, Mormon, Baptists, Jehova Whitness, Hindu, Church of Christ, Buddhist, Episcopol, etc…

Ethnicities… white as in Italian, Polish, Irish and Italian plus Chinese, Japanese, Black, Native American…