When I grew up in medium-small towns in the midwest half a century ago, we said the pledge, we learned about U. S. and state history, and U. S. Government structure in grade school. There were ad campaigns on TV against littering and carelessness with cigarettes. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and other kids’ groups stressed Citizenship and the common good. Both political parties gave lip service, at least, to volunteerism, Military service, and other good citizen sacrifices. Now, it’s Party over Country, Me over You, Us against Them. Granted, the difference between my upbringing and someone from the Bronx was a chasm, BUT, we watched the same TV shows, got the same news, and both listened to the Yankees beat the White Sox. Now, the country is divided so deeply, many compare our current situation to 1858, and Militia groups boast about preparing for a New Civil War. Selfishness is the current religion for many – “don’t raise my taxes” – refusing to follow public health guidelines because it’s “Freedom of Choice”, and then the President suggests a “2nd Amendment solution” to, well, that’s just unacceptable for ANY problem, right? Not for some, even many. 

What happened? Well, I’ll tell you…

Eventually. When I figure it out.