[dforest]

Nothing wrong about thinking about good times. I often look back and muse on the great way I felt about my country then.

I am often sad anymore. The hate is overpowering. Some of the littlest things get so much hate. I look at the very young and feel sad because I don’t believe their future will be so good. Trouble is, many have no idea of the mess that lies ahead.

I think we all knew this could happen but we hoped it wouldn’t happen in our lifetime.

I have good times talking with my over 80 going on 90 parents. I still enjoy their company. I have been blessed with that.

[LostInBayport]

Your post echoes my own feelings. I try to be optimistic about America, but I do not see enough of what my parents and grandparents had: a desire to assimilate into the greater American culture, ethics of self-reliance and hard work and a general kindness toward others. There has been a pandemic of selfishness and anger in our culture. You see it in the mainstreaming of welfare and the massive abuse of "safety net" programs. You experience it driving on public roads. And then there's the well of narcissism called social media. I could go on.

Liberals have made great strides in pushing God out of the public square and filling that space with government and its bread and circuses. I don't see us overcoming that easily, if at all.