Dear Editor,<\/p>\n
Once upon a time this valley of the Susquehanna River, that many of us call home, thrived with business opportunities. There were family farms, big and small, with businesses that supplied their needs and other businesses that processed and shipped their products to markets. <\/p>\n
In addition there were manufacturing facilities of every size in small communities and larger cities making everything from machine parts, shoes, furniture, and typewriters to fire trucks, flight simulators, camera film, computers and a whole lot more. What happened? In the 1950’s, this was referred to as the Valley of Opportunity. Today that seems unbelievable to me. Almost a cruel joke.<\/p>\n
I’m an \u201cold guy.\u201d A regular \u201cgeezer.\u201d I grew up in what I believe was the best time to be a kid. Others who also did, I believe, feel the same way. Where I lived none of my friend’s families were rich, but nearly every one had a mom and dad at home and few, if any, were on government assistance. Able-bodied men were expected to work and, as far as I know, they did. <\/p>\n
It’s different now. Many people live in a world of \u201cvirtual reality.\u201d Some are so \u201clocked in\u201d they seem to be \u201cvirtual prisoners.\u201d There also seems to be an insatiable \u201ccraving\u201d for accumulating \u201cmore\u201d toys, have \u201cmore\u201d experiences, go \u201cmore\u201d places, see \u201cmore\u201d things, do \u201cmore\u201d stuff, etc. Kind of a single focused attitude, I guess. <\/p>\n
I would not have believed it possible to have so much \u201cmore\u201d and so much \u201cless,\u201d at the same time. By \u201cless\u201d, I mean \u201cless\u201d of what really matters in life. \u201cLess\u201d commitment to any one or anything. \u201cLess\u201d interest and involvement in community. \u201cLess\u201d need to develop meaningful relationships. \u201cLess\u201d courage to \u201cbecome involved.\u201d Finally, \u201cless\u201d respect for others and their points of view. <\/p>\n
The term \u201cmore or less\u201d used to imply,\u201d we may not agree, however, it’s no \u201cbig deal.\u201d I see it one way, you see it another, and it’s okay. Not so these days. If you disagree with me, you are wrong. Period. <\/p>\n
There is no room for debate, or exchange of ideas. Free speech has been \u201chigh jacked\u201d by political correctness. This is a sad state we live in (no pun intended). For all the advances we may have made, in the process we have lost so much that was \u201cgood\u201d and consequently gained so much \u201cless.\u201d <\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Doug Graves<\/p>\n
Tioga Center, N.Y.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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