A lesson for next generation

To the Editor:

Do you remember the 50’s?

I became a teenager in the 50’s.

I met my future wife in the 50’s.

I joined the military in the 50’s.

I decided to get married in the 50’s after all, I was making $78 a month, but not to worry—the military paid me an additional $110 for being married. Life was good, but we were seeing changes.

Here are some comments we may have made or heard in the 50’s:

“If things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be impossible to buy a week’s worth of groceries for $10.”

“Have you seen the price of new cars coming out next year? It won’t be long before $2,000 will only buy a used one” (By the way, in 1961 I bought a brand new 1962 VW Convertible for only $1,500. Life was good!)

“If cigarettes keep going up in price, I’m going to quit; 20¢ a pack is ridiculous!”

“Did you hear the Post Office is thinking of charging 7¢ just to mail a letter?”

“Who would’ve thought gas would rise to 25¢ a gallon. Guess I’ll leave the car in the garage.”

“I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies anymore. Ever since they let Clark Gable say ‘damn’ in Gone With the Wind, it seems every new movie has the words hell or damn in it.”

“Did you see where some baseball player signed a contract for $50,000 a year? Pretty soon they’ll be making more than the President.”

“I never thought I’d see the day when our kitchen appliances would be electric. They’re even making electric typewriters now” (Those of you who remember will have to explain to your children and grandchildren what a typewriter is).

“Things are getting so bad these days. I hear some married women are having to work to make ends meet, and it won’t be long before young couples will have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.”

“I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.” (Been there, done that.)

“Thank goodness I won’t see the day when the government takes half of our income in taxes.”

“The fast food restaurant is convenient for a quick meal, but I doubt if it will ever catch on.”

“There is no sense going on short trips for the weekend. It cost $2 a night to stay in a motel.”

“You can’t afford to be sick anymore—$15 a day for the hospital?”

“If they think I will pay 30¢ for a haircut, they can forget it.”

Be sure to pass this one to your children and grandchildren. Look to the future—be prepared…

Vinnie Dolan,

Thendara