In the sixties, anything was possible in the United States (Woodstock), cynicism began to gain a foothold in the seventies (Watergate), the eighties were scary (Iran-Contra), the nineties brought optimism back (President Clinton’s attitude) and at the same time made us look weird in the world (President Clinton’s impeachment; on a business trip to Italy, Switzerland and France in 1999, the question I was most frequently asked by business associates and friends was: “Have you Americans all gone mad?” ). Then our society entered the 21st century and went off the rails.

The key to economic success is education. How well the Chinese understand this! Not to mention the Indians (I do not think I know any Indians who do not have at least two graduate degrees!) We, in the United States, do not. And it’s not just “the unions” who are to blame. Much of the responsibility rests on parents’ shoulders. We still admire athletic prowess more than academic achievement, and we are glad our children have all their electronic games and gadgets, so that we do not have to spend much time with them (we are already too busy, right?).

Mayberry does not exist any more (if it ever did . . .), but many parents today believe their children can grow up the way they did themselves. At a conference earlier this year, where education in Georgia was discussed, a highly successful, politically well-connected business man from down-state was quoted as having said that he did not see a need for his son to go to college, because he, himself, had done just fine without a college education. “I went to work at the local gas station right out of high school,” was attributed to him, “and I worked my way up to own half a dozen businesses that all make money; my son can do that, too.” Oh, really?

Good topic, Gail; keep shining the light on it.