What happened to the America we knew?

In his engaging new book "The Time of our Lives" Tom Brokaw asks "Have we simply wandered off course..?" and "Is the essential part of the American dream disappearing?" And most importantly that question again.. "Will our children and grandchildren have better lives than us..?" This apprehension and self doubt is evident just looking at the people in the streets and airports. It comes through clearly talking to taxi drivers, hotel clerks and in the media.Admittedly this is a very small and totally unfair sample, but we experience in our brief visit a demeanor of Americans which is gloomy and unattractive. They just don't look like we expect them to look, and they don't speak confidently about their future. The hangover from 9/11, ten years later still seems to be there. The economy in trouble and leadership from Washington is constantly being challenged. But while we are here Barack Obama scores a welcome break just before Christmas, or as they call it here "The Holdays", by winning a major tax battle for the Democrats.

There is much introspection and rigorous self examination. The sources of concern are wide. Brokaw looks deeply into American society and says that the country is loosing the competition for successful achievement with China identifying education as one of the most serious problems. I quote from his book.."In 2010 more than 40% of Americans are functionally illiterate. Ten percent of students at colleges need remedial reading. Fourth and Eighth graders are rated eleventh and eighth respectively in international science aptitude tests.. By grade twelve Americans are near the bottom of the international scale.."

On television, in the space of two days we see several adds for self-medicating depression. And much else on TV adverts shows how to have a better life with more convenience. But typical, still, of America there is a splendid solution for every ailment or discomfort. An extended TV add proclaims the miraculous benefits of a product called SENSA which enables you to eat as much as you like, not take any exercise, and then loose as much weight as you wish by simply sprinkling SENSA, a powder, over your food! Seriously.