The "Greatest Generation" and....Whatever we are Now

If you were born, say, around the year 1920, the first 25 years of your life were probably pretty tough. You lived your first decade under historic (until now) income inequality, and then the Depression hit. Just as it seemed the Depression was going away, World War II was breaking out. Pearl Harbor was attacked at the end of 1941 and four long years would go by before that conflict ended. Only then could anything resembling "normal" life go forward.

Our government asked A LOT of these people. It asked them to stay patient during the Depression while the government tried lots of things to work our way out. The Hoover Dam was built, electricity was brought to the South, and many beautiful public buildings were erected (City High here in town is one of them).

Then, after twelve years of THAT, our government asked our nation to go to war. Millions of men and women crossed oceans, lived on boats, lived in the African desert, died on the beaches on D-Day, witnessed the horror of the Holocaust. Tens of millions back home lived with rationing and grew Victory Gardens.

Sure, not 100% of the population may have agreed. But in general, there was a sense of unity, of coming together for the common good.

100 years later, our government is asking something of us again. They are asking that we stay home for a couple months. Most of us have refrigeration, heat, a television and a phone. A lot of us have internet. So, you know, it sucks, but...compared to facing Nazi heavy artillery or Japanese fighters or the Dust Bowl...not really.

100 years later, we are being asked again to come together for the common good, by staying apart. Just for a little while. Just stay home (in relative comfort, compared to the 1930's and 1940's).

Unfortunately, I'm not sure we're doing as well as those born in 1920. For some of us--many of whom consider ourselves "patriots"--this is just a step too far. Images of police officers and doctors and nurses and meat packers getting sick--scared beyond belief--dying--notwithstanding.

Stay home, in relative comfort? Just how far does the government think they can push us?