21st Century Good Times?
21st Century Good Times?
More than twenty years 'in' to this century, and more than a decade since "the Great Recession" of 2007-09, are you among the many who continue to suffer recessionary effects? ..even though our esteemed experts & scorekeepers insist that we are not experiencing recession ..and even though they declare that you are doing just fine, and enjoying 'good times'.
It's difficult not to grimace at that statement, since so many say they are struggling! Thus, it appears that surviving the so-called 21st century 'good times' is the new American way of life..
Reality Survivors?
So, maybe it's time we get down to the brass tacks of not just learning to deal with 'doing without', but accepting the reality of life for average citizens in this century.
Perhaps it's time we take a longer, more serious look at how our grandparents & their children survived the "Great Depression" of the 1930's. The first thing that comes to mind is remembering the stories of how the people came together, shared what they had, and learned to improvise for what they didn't have. Though we are a different, more cynical society today, I believe that we can do it, and must do it.. if for no more reason than making an effort to attain a semblance of security for our children. After all, they will carry the residuals of this modern American financial distress with them into their adult lives.
a more positive note?
Also, remembering the 'old-timers' stories.. and on a more positive note, (for us), our times are not as bleak as some may believe! If you are reading this hub, you are faring better than many of your neighbors, etc., since owning a computer and paying for internet service remains an unattainable luxury for many Americans today. Hopefully, none of our children are wearing cardboard in their shoes yet.. and though the price of food sky-rockets, we haven't sunk to having to eat our pets. However, the number of homeless continues to rise steadily, and many Americans are currently living in even less than substandard conditions, such as the streets, abandoned properties, shacks, chicken coops, etc..
Until we accept reality, we can't begin to change it
I can understand that one might question what seems such a dismal, seemingly negative article.. However, we must occasionally pause to take long, hard looks at what surrounds us, and realize that 'There, but for the grace of whoever or whatever it is that we believe in, go we' ..for until we accept reality, we can't begin to change it.
