>>>*In my history class in high school, my Junior year instructor brought a collector rifle to class to show it to us, he obtained the tool while in the Army in WW2.

No one was concerned, no one bothered.

Back then we ate what tasted good, instead of what some politician told us was"good" for us. We didn't have elected officials seriously considering laws banning soda pop in containers too large. No one even dreamed of telling someone over weight they cannot be served food because they are too fat, and actually TRYING to create a "law" to that effect.

The coach thought nothing of whacking a brat with a paddle, most of us got some of that (me too) and we survived and learned.

You weren't kicked out of class, suspended for wearing clothing that did not fit some schools political belief.

Just a few, the list is now far too long to post here, (add your own if you like).

We really were free once, what has happened? We are being told what to eat, how to act, what to wear, what we can and cannot say out loud, children not even yet in puberty send photos of themselves to each other, schools hand out condoms and free birth control, without even speaking to the parents.

Our Nation sends vast sums to other nations, and demand more and more from us so they can keep on doing it.

I look around and realize that I do not know of ONE single politician that actually cares about me...or you!

Partly my fault, I am 70 years old and I did not fight hard enough, I guess.

But looking around, we are no longer free, and it is getting worse daily.

It didn't happen all at once, it was one tiny little bite at a time, and those of you who are younger had best look around and pay attention....Just MHO....*EB

Well said.

I was raised in an environment were "spare the rod and spoil the child" was more than a Biblical saying.

To me, the turning point was the social unrest of he '60s that led to many changes - most good but many very misguided.

Who remembers circa 1959 or 1960 where Nikita K. Stood at the podium in the UN General Assembly and pounded his shoe while screaming "We will bury you."

Since that time, the moral fabric of American life has been unraveling.

The "Greatest Generation" marched off to war and returned after untold misery. They set about to build the American Dream. And, they produced a generation that did not learn the lesson of self sacrifice, dedication, commitment, and personal responsibility.

In the ensuing years since Nikita's ranting, Americans have seen their freedoms slowly erode. We have shipped millions (closer to billions) to foreign countries while neglecting our own country. For a good read, check out the book "The Ugly American". Foreign countries want our money bt don't want us.

We have lst focus on the meaning of the Declaration of Independance and the US Constitution.

We are into inventing "rights" for inanimate objects. We turn our mentally ill into the streets with no assistance while pouring billions into corrupt foreign governments for no gain.

We have created a society where everyone is a winner. A recent survey of college age people indicated that they felt they were in the 60 percentile. In other words, 60% felt they were above average.

That tells volumes for what is in store. Are we a nation in decline? An the envelope, please....