My father was a relatively well-paid blue-collar worker during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. We lived in a 1,200-square-foot house with one bathroom and a window-mounted air conditioner. Our home had a small television with only a few channels, which required a rooftop antenna to receive a signal.
Our car had no air conditioning and often required extra water for long trips because it would overheat. Neither of my parents ever flew on an airplane, and they may have spent only a few nights in a decent hotel. Our annual vacation was a camping trip to the mountains. Computers, iPhones, and the internet were the stuff of science fiction.
Today, someone in a comparable job typically lives in a much larger, fully air-conditioned home, with multiple bathrooms and televisions, owns more than one car, takes vacations to far-off destinations by plane, and enjoys countless modern conveniences we now take for granted.
So much for the “good old days” or the idea of the “middle class being hollowed out.”
Who stole the American dream. Political media and politicians. All you hear on the news is that America is failing the political memes say as much and the politicians sell it to get votes because ‘clearly’ the other side is driving America into extinction. It’s interesting if you look at it from another facet of American society health care. If you ask Americans about the healthcare system a large majority will say it’s a disaster, but if you ask them specifically about their own healthcare the same very large majority of them say they’re happy with the healthcare they receive. It’s all perception. Can things be improved yes are they as bad as it seems like we all believe no. Thanks for the article.
I've never read Richard Ford but always been curious. Is that one you'd recommend to start with?
I'm not really a fan, but I've enjoyed The Ultimate Good Luck and The Sportswriter.
My father was a relatively well-paid blue-collar worker during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. We lived in a 1,200-square-foot house with one bathroom and a window-mounted air conditioner. Our home had a small television with only a few channels, which required a rooftop antenna to receive a signal.
Our car had no air conditioning and often required extra water for long trips because it would overheat. Neither of my parents ever flew on an airplane, and they may have spent only a few nights in a decent hotel. Our annual vacation was a camping trip to the mountains. Computers, iPhones, and the internet were the stuff of science fiction.
Today, someone in a comparable job typically lives in a much larger, fully air-conditioned home, with multiple bathrooms and televisions, owns more than one car, takes vacations to far-off destinations by plane, and enjoys countless modern conveniences we now take for granted.
So much for the “good old days” or the idea of the “middle class being hollowed out.”
The recent past is more exotic than the farthest end of the universe, @stevehardy869410
Who stole the American dream. Political media and politicians. All you hear on the news is that America is failing the political memes say as much and the politicians sell it to get votes because ‘clearly’ the other side is driving America into extinction. It’s interesting if you look at it from another facet of American society health care. If you ask Americans about the healthcare system a large majority will say it’s a disaster, but if you ask them specifically about their own healthcare the same very large majority of them say they’re happy with the healthcare they receive. It’s all perception. Can things be improved yes are they as bad as it seems like we all believe no. Thanks for the article.
Great article. Thanks, Nick!
To be honest, I haven't read the whole article yet, but I greatly appreciate your unfailing optimism, Nick!