Jerry Smith
history during the 1800s. He is best remembered by average citizens as being credited with the expression “Go West, Young Man, Go West.” This is not going to be a discussion of Horace Greeley’s life or positions on various subjects. I borrow his words to introduce remarks about another most interesting and enriching subject.
Each day on Comcast’s Channel 160, the highly ranked TV show of the 1960s, “Wagon Train,” which climbed to number 1 on the Nielson Rankings during its time, is aired at a time slot around 2 p. m. On a personal note, I acknowledge I never watched the show when it was one of the many western shows on TV. Now that it is syndicated and shown each day, I have become addicted. This TV show has qualities not true of the degenerate shows of modern television and movies. I cannot remember the last movie I saw in a theater.
The TV program relates the stories of a wagon train leaving St. Joseph, Missouri headed for California, crossing the plains, deserts and the Rocky Mountains and through Indian territory. This is a story with feeling of human emotions and conflicts. It is not a western in the “shoot ‘ em up, cowboy” setting as was true of most westerns on which my generation grew up.
Watching the program daily when it is shown on TV is not always possible. Those episodes not watched when shown are recorded. My viewing habits are not the essence of my remarks. What is of importance is the spirit of the show. This show manifests redeeming social and moral value to a degree not true of modern television. It is of interest there is never a curse word used on the program. The stories of people and their plight in making their journey will touch the heart. A viewing is never left without my knowing I am a better person by reason of having seen the episode. I do not hesitate to recommend and encourage each reader to capture an opportunity to watch the program.
I leave this topic by saying a spirit of accomplishment over the hardships of life and the dangers of being away from organized society are set forth. One is caused to wonder if all of us in modern days could endure the challenges of those rugged souls who rallied to Horace Greely’s challenge to “Go West, Young Man.”
Social Security and a look into the past:
It was nearly 50 years ago I tackled an issue not very popular with the general population. It was in the 1970s; columns were written taking exception to the Social Security system. The howls from friends, family and foes were frequent and they were loud.
Back then the point was made that I was not in favor of taking my mother’s, my grandmother’s or your Aunt Mary’s benefits from them. It wasn’t a position of taking anything away from anyone. Today I am drawing benefits from the Social Security system and have been for more than 20 years. Those benefits are the difference in “making it” or having to really pursue other income at age 83. I am thankful your parents and grandparents can draw benefits.
The point was there was a belief the Social Security system could not sustain itself over the years as it was then structured. It was an organizational issue and not an issue of keeping the system or abolishing it. Now, without making points made long ago, may I remind readers that the position I took then and statements made then nearly everyone is making now. Nearly each day, citizens are pointed to a date when revenues to fund the benefits of a rising generation will no longer be available. It is our younger generation about whom we should be concerned.