Anyone over 30: Anyone else uncertain and nervous about the future?

Question

I am 38.

I've been doing alot of soul searching since I found out that in Feb. I am going to be a Grandmother for the first time.

I remember in my late teens & early twenties being really excited about the future of this country and the hope to bring liberty and freedom to the people of the world. It seemed so much more of a possibility than at any time before. At least it seemed that the U.S. had come into a peaceful time for our people, I know not everyone but for the most part.

So much has changed so fast in the last 30 years.

Sometimes it seems to me that while the people were on one course there was an element in the U.S. that was on another and now we are seeing those efforts come to fruition.

Are you worried about the course our country's leaders have been taking us down? Or are you still hopeful?

Thanks.

I am very thankful to all of you who have sent me congratulations on the addition to my family! I am very appreciative! We (my family) are so excited about our new Grandson. It's a boy!

And to all of you may I wish you a most Happy Thanksgiving!

Answer 1

America is the greatest country in the world and she'll bounce back.
After Sept 11 the United States, with Bush at the helm, had an AMAZING opportunity to lead the world by example. We had the support of almost every nation and a truly United States that was willing to trust him wherever he led us. Turns out his Presidency has been the biggest mistake we've made as a county, but this too shall pass and America will be great again.
The last thing you should lose is hope.

Congrats on your upcoming granchild.

Answer 2

I too am a first time Grandmother of a beautiful 11 month old Granddaughter and I really fear what kind of world she will inherit. My children struggle harder than I did and I struggled harder than my parents did. It seems that the American dream gets farther and farther away and peoples morals become more corrupt and disillusioned. I think when I grew up the American dream was still alive and well but as we watch an overpopulated world grow increasingly more violent, diseased and natural resources depleted. What does the future hold if we don't take a step back and look at where this has taken us. Maybe the way forward is actually the wrong way to go.
45 here and I still have hope that the world can turn this thing around I also think we may come to a point that we might not have a choice.

Answer 3

First of all, congratulations. I'm 36 and I have a 12 year old. I worry every day about the state of the world that he and his future offspring are going to inherit.
You are close to my age so I assume you remember back in the late 80's when we watched the Berlin wall being pulled down and we proudly voiced our support for the student uprising in Tiennemin Square in Beijing. I too was young and hopeful, and felt proud to be an American living in a free and democratic society. America seemed to be a beacon of truth that led the world by example and not by force.
Now it seems like everything has changed. Law and political decisions are forged by the corporate world and special interests. The voice of the individual goes unheard. Our leaders make deals that benefit the stockholders and investors, not the working class. They open the doors to "free" trade but flush the concept of fair trade down the toilet, along with millions of American jobs. They misuse our military might to engage in pre-emptive war to further their political agendas, meanwhile building on the U.S.'s tremendous debt with no real plans on how to reverse it.
I don't want this for my son and his children. I want a safer world, yes, but the sad fact is - the world will never be entirely safe. Because we humans are a species of have and have nots, there will always be wars, there will always be inequality and there will always be enemies. How much must my offspring pay to eradicate something that will never go away?

Answer 4

Congratulations. Being a grandparent has no equal among relationships. I think that your grandchild is lucky to have a grandma that is as concerned and aware as you.

As for the rest of your concerns, try not to let it take away from the way you enjoy life. There is so much that you will have to teach your grandchild, and hope and a positive outlook on life are two great gifts that you can pass along.

Politics has been called the endless sea. And it is always stormy. That is nothing to a baby. Your love is something; it is the most important thing. Don't let the trend of politics take that from you. All will be good. Call that faith, the faith of a child. But you will know that soon.

Again, congratulations.

Answer 5

I am the same age. Remember the gas crisis of the 70s? Japan was going to put the US out of business, USSR, etc.... There are a lot of challenges but with challenges comes opportunity. America and its people always rise to the challenge and turn opportunity into better days. We will continue to do so. While I have concerns over where Americans are taking this country I think we will wake up and stop living beyond our means, get back in school and still be a the most innovative country in the world that attracts people from every walk of life. Some returning to their countries of origin as ambassadors of America spreading tolerance, human rights, charity, etc...

Answer 6

It seems to me that America has been apathetic, football games, and Tv control their lives. I do see evolution happening quickly, the next generation I am very hopeful for.

Unfortunately pain promotes growth and our culture has been in a mode of disconnect from their emotions, trying to get ahead and be "better" than the Jones'. Ignoring their souls aspirations for this life. When we become too obsessed with the material world we acquire karmic debt, which means we have lessons to learn, and the fastest method our soul uses is to bring pain hard enough to evoke self-contemplation.
America does look like we are going to get a nice dose of pain.

Answer 7

I'm a little past "38" and I accept the fact the older generation always seems to think that "everything is going to hell in a hand basket". I've seen wars (Viet Nam) that made no sense, oil shortages, and economic crisis (we're still paying for the S&L scandal, among other things). We always managed to get out of it.
Our luck will run out sometime.

Answer 8

I am worried about what the Bush Administration has done. What a hell hole he's made our government. I have hope the next President will reverse the dangerous trends Bush has instigated.

When the democrats are back in power things will change for the better. Don't you worry girl!

Answer 9

I am very worried and feel that our nation has been needlessly sold out.

I'm a new grandma, too and I can't imagine what life will be like for her if things continue along this course.

I try to remain hopeful, but am unsure that our current state of affairs can even be reversed. So much of what has happened in the past 15 years seemed unimaginable 20 years ago.

Answer 10

I am not yet 30...but i am still afraid... I am afraid of how our friends over sees have seemed to turned their back on us... I'm afraid that the only nation that we claim is our ally "on the war on terror" has become a small nation thats itching to drop bombs on its neighbors. I'm afraid that our dependence on oil has weaken our economy raising the cost of everything that has to be transported, all in the name of Oil Corporations and share holders. I'm afraid that we have out sourced our means of production. We have outsourced what would have been employment for this country, to a country where the labor is cheaper. I'm afraid that the mighty dollar that was once above the value of the Canadian dollar, will continue to fall. I'm afraid of the Chinese economic giant that we all took part in building. I fear recession, I dread depression... I am not yet 30, I blame the path that we have already chosen and followed...

Am I still hopeful? Yes, the end of the book is not yet written, the heart of the American people is strong, the recourses that we need, we already have, there is still allot to be Thankful for and on that note I say, press on forward, new horizons are waiting to be seen. The American dream which at times seems like varies in distance is still very much with in grasp.

Happy Thanksgiving