Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 | 2 a.m.
View more of the Sun's opinion section
Each generation has left a legacy since this great nation came into being. Generation after generation fought wars, endured hardships, and educated their children hoping they would have a better life.
The last of the great generations is coming to an end through attrition. Many of them were immigrants who survived the Great Depression, learned how to save for the future and carried little personal debt.
They worked in WPA projects and were called to fight in World War II. They returned to start building our infrastructure and once again were called to warfare, the Korean War.
These are the people who were responsible for developing the middle class. Nearly 40 percent of the workforce was union, and affordable housing sprung up. They built our highways, railroads, bridges, dams and lakes. They provided us with hydroelectric and nuclear power. They developed space agencies capable of putting men in space and landing them on the moon.
What has this generation left for our children and grandchildren? We left an education system stripped of finances and higher education so costly it’s unattainable for most. We’ve left dams, highways, railroads, nuclear plants and bridges in need of repairs. We are leaving our offspring a sick planet.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy