Do you think this ten-year plan is doable?

[thepolarcrew]

I knew it was Gore, but the conversation is ok! + People got to start some where, our elected officials aren't doing us any favors.

As for Obama, I honestly don't see him as the man to get things done. The party as a whole isn't healed. That's not to say he might get elected.

Reps won't do much either.

It isn't just the past 8 years. This started with the assassination of the Kennedy's.
IKE warned about the MIC.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

during the war, the depression, the whatever, america was largely made up of 2nd generation immigrants that saw firsthand what is was like to have nothing, to have to bust ass just to be able to survive. that created an american who was willing to make a plan, work hard to attain their dreams, save money, do without things they could not afford, etc...

Dave:

You hit it right there. A lot of folks now cannot understand how America could pull itself up out of the Depression. Sure, a global war helped, but it was also attitude.

Now we're a bunch of spoiled brats who always piss and moan until we get what we want, no matter who or how it's paid for. Some of us are different, but most folks born since the late 50's, certainly after the 80's, are a bunch of lazy, whiny, spoiled, brats

jay

[thepolarcrew]

There you are again Jayman, and have to agree here to!

[Godiva]

My parents grew up during the depression. While I was growing up they still practices the skills of their youth because money wasn't that plentiful. My Dad would go through periods of unemployment. He was an electrical engineer and was a job shopper so if he didn't have another contract lined up when the old one was over, we had to cut back.

They're still alive. And so am I. One of the problems is that so many are removed from the generations that lived this way. I can can. I can repair. I don't consider my entire wardrobe seasonally consumeable. I don't need the latest, greatest. I didn't buy an iPhone, nor did I replace it with the NEW iPhone. Or iPod. etc.

I've put a lot of money into my house because people don't steal bricks or paint or shingles. I've also spent a lot of time acquiring knowledge and skills. (I'll be sweating a copper pipe and installing an electrical box and outlet soon for the dishwasher. Also sistering in a support for the stud I'll probably be removing.)

I can't grow everything I eat but I eat what I grow and what I can't eat I'll preserve.

I also have a very protective and territorial dog.

[bac]

Originally Posted by burritos

If we could defeat the germans, japanese, build a nuke from scratch in 4 years during world war II, and recover from a depression then we have the potential to do this. Unfortunately we're not in a war mobilization mode and most americans aren't going to volunteer for "unnecessary" pain. So we'll just be status quo when until we "have" to, which of course will be too late.

Wow, I couldn't state it any better.

We are still drowning on our affluence. Until there is some REAL pain, there will be no REAL change.

... Brad

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by Godiva

I also have a very protective and territorial dog.

Me too. The problem is he only weighs 15 lbs (Digby).

Re: The Depression generation - My mom and dad both were young kids during the depression. We heard all kinds of stories while growing up. My sister used to have arguments with my mom, calling her a "tight old bitty".

But my mom and dad saved most of the money they made and even though neither had a college education, their kids went to college and now my dad has enough money to support him in his old age. His interest money is enough to pay his rent (food, transportation, cleaning service) in a nice senior independent facility.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

Originally Posted by bac

Wow, I couldn't state it any better.

We are still drowning on our affluence. Until there is some REAL pain, there will be no REAL change.

... Brad

True statement (so far). This puts a lot of us in a strange situation on Prius Chat. When some say the "pain is good" (as the change motivator), criticism results from some decrying "you like people to be in pain?".

[PriusSport]

I'm afraid the only hope for change is with the Democrats. The Republicans have become so hopelessly reactionary they don't even acknowledge problems--much less offer solutions. And a lot of the public is confused because the media just sits on the sidelines taking polls.