It is most difficult to consider what has happened in my lifetime to our nation. Growing up as a child, I was “aware” that our nation was involved in WWII. All that I personally remember was that everything was “quiet”, i.e., the city of Brockton was not building anything, my father said nothing and surely we had no newspaper which was the only source of information. But I do recall the city’s excitement with the end of the war. Houses were being built to house returning veterans. I had my bike and I was happy.
Our nation celebrated many great years during my youth. Franklin Roosevelt was a “saint” who was able to address the needs of so many with taxation that focused on the wealthy for the sake of others. There was not much discussion in our house about much so it is not surprising that I was not aware of the trajectory that was being experienced. Everything went along a merry path with the ultra rich firms and people being taxed at about 40% of their annual income. My father retired as police patrolman earning $64/week. With it, we had a home and food with no complaints. We were aware of a section in Brockton’s West Side that provided big and beautiful houses for successful business men.
Then things dramatically changed with the election of Ronald Reagan who famously decided that the wealthy should not be penalized for their success. Newt Ginrich continued the process that now taxed the wealthy at about 4%. Obama tried but congress would not cooperate. Unfortunately we experienced the epitome of a disaster in Trump, And while there is chatter about inflation that indeed is extraordinarily high, but there is no mention about the need to increase the taxes of the rich to pay for bills that are designed to help the ordinary folks of our nation.
I am only aware of a few who zero in on this issue, most notably Robert Reich. I wish that in hindsight that I took some courses in Economics rather than just Psychology at the University of California in Berkeley. Now I am reading for a second time a 624 page book, BASIC ECONOMICS, by Thomas Sowell which clarifies how decisions about situations result effect the public’s personal income.
Personally, my post high school education that totaled 14 years resulted in a great career with the Veterans Administration. Joan was able to eventually get a Master’s Degree in Nursing with relatively little money. Granted she was fortunate to be at the right time when the demand looked for those who would help. Sure enough, there have been so many children who were cared for with so much intelligent diagnostic and medical decisions. Moreover every child in Joan’s care felt that he/she was so special.
Joan and I have been fortunate to experience the best our nation could provide. With that said, there are tears regarding the economic predicaments of so many, e.g., cannot afford higher education or living with heavy debt that dramatically lessens their quality of life.
Fortunately our children acquired a great eduction at Holy Cross and then onward to Harvard Medical School, Tulane Law School, and Boston University Law School.
Would it not be great that what two ordinary people have done so well could be possible for so many others deprived of so much.`
