The First Decade of the 21st Century

[Jake3501]

As far as remembering the first Decade of the 21st Century, I tend to think of it as possibly the worst of the 6 decades I remember, with the decade of 1960 - 69 as being the runner up for worst decade of my life, and that based on National events, not my own personal events. This decade started out with a really tough event, and seems to be finishing up pretty rough....leaving me somewhat concerned if the next decade will be an improvement or get worse. There is a lot of potential for improvement or for things getting worse. What will you remember this decade for the most, regarding things on a National Scale?

[Crusty]

Yeah, this is likely to be the worst decade for me also. I retired in '05, and the nest egg has been going out the window ever since. I may even have to go back to work if I can even find a job. As far as the 60 - 70 decade went, that probably was the best decade of my life. Traveled a lot, met a lot of nice gals, (married one) probably had the highest income (relative to cost of living and expenses) ever. Had two nice cars, (corvette and barracuda convertable), had a nice sailboat. Life was good. Went down hill from there. and has pretty much continued that way. Now I'm driving a compact pick up, spending every dime that comes my way on day to day living expenses, and scared to death of what the health care reform is going to do to me. Food prices are going up, my house is old and needs continual repair or replacements. Can't sell the dang thing for any where near what it's supposedly worth. (according to the tax statements) Just hanging on by the skin of my teeth. 2 of my 3 kids are unemployed, the third is in just about as bad shape as I am, and my wife is going senile. Oh well, I guess it can't get much worse while I'm still above ground. At least for the time being I'm still warm, dry and reasonably well fed. I'm hanging on to my guns as a last thing to sell before the resources run out!!!

[Jake3501]

Crusty, the 60's were not bad for me either, had a lot of fun, I was in my teen years, we had the Beatles, I traveled in the late 60's. As a decade it started fairly early on with the assassination of JFK, then Bobby K, saw the beginning of the Vietnam War, which thank God, I didn't wind up in the rice paddies. LBJ started the Great Society, a complete failure haunting us more and more today. The 60's finished up with a recession, the assasination of MLK and the quagmire of Vietnam, and the only national positive being putting a man on the moon. For me though, life was good.

[M1A1Gunner]

Interesting topic-

Yeah, I'll remember this so-called 'recession' and 9-11 (in reverse order) of course. I predicted this about 2 years ago, and my father told me (in the 60's!) it would come one day. He was born in 1906-so he'd seen a lot in his life-the invention of the car, onward. Sorry to hear of your troubles fellas-but at least we are all in this together, and we're not a bunch of govt. tit-suckers, looking for 'them' to give us a "bailout". I'd rather face these times as a free man, eyes open-and leaning on the everlasting arms, instead of that which will soon pass away. I urge everyone on TA to read the Bible, ask questions you have, and trust the Lord-he's the only answer, anyway!

[Jake3501]

Well, we are about to say goodbye to the first decade of the 21st century. I suspect the next decade will start out pretty rough and we will meet a lot of challenges early on, National Politics, World Politics and instability. We are Americans and we will persevere and hopefully, the New decade will end on a better note. Keep your powder dry boys!

[45 Forever]

I don't know Jake I hope we get a break before another one hits. This last decade has been rough 911, Lost job, Got sick bad, Mother in Law died, Daughter suffered three strokes. Other daughter about gave me three strokes. God only knows what we elected. pretty bad and thats not all!!!!!

[Oldster]

Has to be 9/11 hands down. At least for me anyway.

[tony357]

9-11 I did not know what was going on, left the shop out back to go test a boat on the water, not a single vehicle on the road.
while i was out for the test ride i could see the smoke plume.
recieved a call from the shop about what happened while pulling out the boat.
went back to the shop and the other guys had setup i migshift tv with it all unfolding..
the town had basicly shutdown i could have layed down in the street.

[M1A1Gunner]

tony357:

"while i was out for the test ride i could see the smoke plume."

How close are (were) you to it, Tony? That has to be burned (no pun intended!) into your memory, forever!

[taurusute]

Definitely 9-11 was the defining moment of the last decade. Our understandable desire for revenge got us into an unjustified war in Iraq and a quagmire in Afghanistan, both of which we of course are still paying for. Then we had the greed of wall street and big banks causing the ecomonic collaspe we are trying to recover from now. I hope the next decade is better, but I have my doubts. Spending your way out of debt has never worked, but we have politicians still trying.

Mentioning the sixties brings up memories for me as well. Graduated high school, entered college, got engaged, broke off engagement (her choice), lost interest and left school, enlisted in Air Force. Didn't see duty in SEA (Thailand) until 1971 and saw the end of the war.

Seventies were my best years as well for earnings. Worked as a GS7/9 for the Air Force. Civilian work never that high paying as I was in retail management until 2008, when I retired. Have been working parttime, now looking for work myself.