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That, of course, is a popular delusion. Its not that we aren't materialistic and selfish now, but we were just as bad back then. And 50 years before that, and 50 years before that, and 50 years before that ...

Human nature is human nature. It hasn't changed recently. There are a few times that we have still been able to do really cool things when we put our minds to it, and have good leaders. But, there isn't any real cultural difference today that would prevent it from happening.

Gone is the self reliant take responsibility for one's self and actions.

Gone is Lyndon Johnson and his "war on poverty". Gone is the entitlement AFDC which guranteed generational welfare, replaced by TANF which gives only temporary help to folks with kids. Gone are business owners who gave a shit about anything but money. Gone are corporate ethics, replaced by Enron ethics and Bernard Madhoff ethics. Gone is the late Walkter Cronkite, replaced by Fox, apparently your only news source.

Now we have the wealth envy its not fair someone who works harder has more stuff crowd

Unemployment in Michigan is over 10%. You need a job to work.

mainly because it would require DOING SOMETHING

You're not impressed by those little Martian robots? I sure as hell am.

"I grew up watching this stuff as a kid. The America we had back then is a far cry from that we have today. Gone is the self reliant take responsibility for one's self and actions. Now we have the wealth envy its not fair someone who works harder has more stuff crowd that can only relive the accomplishments of past generations because all they have nothing to show for themselves (mainly because it would require DOING SOMETHING)"

Just the opposite -- I think the main problem is that nowadays we no longer feel it necessary to PAY our fair share for our DEBTS.

Indeed, let's return to those halcyon days of our youth. Let's re-establish the top income tax rate at 77% as it was in 1969 (instead of today's pittance 35%). That will solve many of our problems, as it did for our parent's and grandparent's generations, who were not such belly-achers as we.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States#Tax_rates_in_history [wikipedia.org]

Um, no. In the U.S. a fiddle [wikipedia.org] typically is a violin, especially when referring to American Folk, Bluegrass or Country music, so literally, from mcgrew's American point-of-view, the only real difference is the style of music being played (although "fiddle" players may prefer one variety of string or bow over another, the instrument that is called a "fiddle" and the instrument that is called a "violin" are typically the same thing.)

In the States, Classical music is not nearly as popular as Folk, Bluegrass or Country. Hence "fiddle" music is more popular than "violin" music, although technically these are typically the same instrument.

So what mcgrew is saying is that RadioShack's "Lunar Lander" game and his "Lunar Lander" game were very, very similar, but people liked his better for various reasons that he didn't clarify in his original post, but I'm guessing by the fiddle analogy, he means that his had better graphics/visuals and probably better controls.

Just thought I'd clear that up for you non-Americans out there who are all probably not going to get what mcgrew means.