Post originally by Grumpy Grognard at 2004-09-09 14:38:22
Converted from Phorums BB System

I was alive and aware during the Carter years. Yeah, there were gas lines, and rich Republicans whined like they always do, but that was a better time where I lived (in California) than any that has come since. The gap between rich and poor wasn't so wide, and your neighbors were human beings to you. What you call 'malaise' I would call 'people relaxing and enjoying the things that really matter in life' - which does represent a value judgment on my part against the pursuit of money at any cost, the true fundamentali$m of the US Right. I always thought Carter's public self-searching was a good thing, though I realize many don't like it - Havel in Czechoslovakia has been criticized for a similar approach. (Though Carter was far, far to the right of Havel, of course.)

The election of Reagan was a tragedy that ushered in a quarter-century of Democrats (yeah, I'm looking at you, Bill Clinton) and Republicans teaming up to rob the poor. (I'm still voting for Kerry over that smirking frat boy though. Being slowly bled to death really is better than having your head chopped off.)

Good review though. I think you just sold me a copy of Valus. Sorry for the rant, but you opened the door...