When I'am 64

Having received notice of my 45th High School Reunion, ( yea, I know it is a long time) I began again to ruminate about what has taken place during that time and to look at where we all are now.
Personally as with everyone I have had my ups and downs, twists and turns and stops and starts. I have been “Dealt a bad hand” a few times but most often I have drawn the wrong cards my self, throwing away good ones and or just playing it wrong.( I have no idea where the card playing analogy comes from I really don’t play cards).
What has interested me most is the realization that 40-45 years ago a real change came about in America and therefore by association the world in general. What triggered it ? I for one do not have the answer, however I can point to some things which might have been factors;
1- Supreme Court ruling on Prayer in school. 2- Vietnam War and associated Peace movement. 3- Rapid expansion of drug culture and the associated Hippie movement. 4- “Rights” movements, woman’s, civil, gay etc-we became a nation no longer joined by the inalienable rights already established, but by special interest groups trying to cut out a specific piece of the pie.5- Subtitle economic changes and the “Feminist” Movement which made double income families necessary and “desirable” oft times removing from the home the nurturing parent. I have no idea which of these is most likely the culprit , I believe it is a combination of some or all.
During this period the divorce rate climbed, as did crime and the number of people living below the poverty level. The government at attempted to control some of this by instituting new entitlement programs, ie The Great Society. We have had seven declared recessions, four oil shortages (we are the largest consumer of petroleum products in the world), at least ten Military Missions (Wars, conflicts, etc) and have US forces deployed in over one hundred and fifty countries today, with an all volunteer military.
Despite all the negative things said about our country. Request to immigrate are at an all time high and illegal emigration is a joke. Per capatia more forgiven nationals reside in the US than ever before.
Natural and man made disasters, some previously unmatched are occurring in more diverse places than ever before and without the resources to help in many cases. We are spending personally and governmental at an all time high with NO end in sight. Home foreclosures, the stock market debacle and corporate and individual greed is uncontrollable.
THE PARTY IS OVER, ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING we can no longer say, “Laissez le Bontemps rouler”( let the good times roll) (Cajun)
Indigenous peoples all over the world are conducting “cleansing” rituals and I know personally of many Native American groups who are singing their death songs.
Perhaps the Biblical predictions and admonitions should be recognized for their literal value if nothing else, we have become pervasive and permissive. The was a time when people could and did have the Guts to say what they felt and the gumption to defend it. Political leaders were admired and respected and honored, yes they are just people too, but to whom much is given much is required.
Do I have an answer? no, I am still looking, I just thought you might.