LittleNipper
Gold Member
- Jan 3, 2013
- 5,613
- 839
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New Jersey was once a wonderful State. I should know. I've lived here all my life. I grew up on Drexel, in Delcrest, in Delran. My parents moved to that house in the mid-1950's. It was a short distance to Philadelphia over 5 cent bridges. Taxes were very low and schools were very good, organized, and strict.
We had a book mobile, milk delivery, a drive in movie theater, a mobile dry cleaner, a 5 & dime, home doctor visits, 6 day mail delivery (twice a day near Christmas), Lake Lonnie, Olympia Lakes, Holiday Lakes, and trash pick-up twice a week. Sunday School was packed with kids (as were Vacation Bible Schools). We were not wealthy by any means. My dad worked but mom stayed home.
We had one automobile that usually was replaced every 8 years, one telephone, one television (blk. & wht.), one cookie jar, and a three bedroom house with a bath & a half (plus a recreation room). We did NOT have a dryer, an automatic dishwasher, an in-ground pool or a blender. Life was good --- never perfect --- but very nice.
When the automobile was inspected by the State the concern was for its safety --- even without the seat-belts. People were allowed to have & use snow chains and studded tires in season. Taxes were very modest. There was no State Income Tax and no Luxury/Sales Tax. Stores and most all businesses were even closed on Sunday. So what happened?
Are we happier? How many neighbors do we know on sight by name? Are our public students more clever? Do they know how to make things, and fix things, and play using only crayons, tape, scissors, and paper? Do they respect authority? Can children watch any TV show or listen to any radio program without parental supervision?
Are our churches full and are kids exposed to the thoughts of divine wonderment ---- right and wrong? Maybe I've hit the nail on the head?!?! But I imagine that most will think they are far to sophisticated to get the obvious...
We had a book mobile, milk delivery, a drive in movie theater, a mobile dry cleaner, a 5 & dime, home doctor visits, 6 day mail delivery (twice a day near Christmas), Lake Lonnie, Olympia Lakes, Holiday Lakes, and trash pick-up twice a week. Sunday School was packed with kids (as were Vacation Bible Schools). We were not wealthy by any means. My dad worked but mom stayed home.
We had one automobile that usually was replaced every 8 years, one telephone, one television (blk. & wht.), one cookie jar, and a three bedroom house with a bath & a half (plus a recreation room). We did NOT have a dryer, an automatic dishwasher, an in-ground pool or a blender. Life was good --- never perfect --- but very nice.
When the automobile was inspected by the State the concern was for its safety --- even without the seat-belts. People were allowed to have & use snow chains and studded tires in season. Taxes were very modest. There was no State Income Tax and no Luxury/Sales Tax. Stores and most all businesses were even closed on Sunday. So what happened?
Are we happier? How many neighbors do we know on sight by name? Are our public students more clever? Do they know how to make things, and fix things, and play using only crayons, tape, scissors, and paper? Do they respect authority? Can children watch any TV show or listen to any radio program without parental supervision?
Are our churches full and are kids exposed to the thoughts of divine wonderment ---- right and wrong? Maybe I've hit the nail on the head?!?! But I imagine that most will think they are far to sophisticated to get the obvious...
