Each of us is the product of that to which we are exposed. A sad commentary when you think of the entertainment aimed at children these days. Just before we left for church on Sunday morning, I happened to come across the ending of a movie starring Edward G. Robinson. Not one of the gangster, tough-guy films for which many of us remember him. This was a heartwarming story of true American values and faith in God.
“Our Grapes Have Tender Vines” starred Edward G. as Martinus Jacobson, Margaret O’Brien as his daughter Selma and Agnes Moorehead as his wife Bruna. Set on a Wisconsin farm, the film was released in September of1945. It bears a disclaimer at the end explaining that it is among the films to be distributed to our military personnel.
Tony Fontana condenses the plot as follows: Life in small town Wisconsin. Selma and Arnold, aged 7 and 5, pal around together between their two farms. Selma has a newborn calf that her father gave to her. She named it ‘Elizabeth’. Nels is the editor of the Fuller Junction Spectator and the kids just call him “editor”. Viola is the new schoolteacher from the big city. While Nels wants to marry Viola, Viola does not want to live in a small quiet, nothing happening town. The biggest news is that Farmer wFaraassen has built a new barn.
This might seem mundane to you, but the core of the film has neighbors and friends rallying around one of their own who suffered a crushing loss. One line in particular struck me. Martinus is explaining milk to the Selma and Arnold. He tells them it is a good thing… good for the children… good for cooking… good for the farmer, but it isn’t free. Like all good things, they are not free. You work for them.
Today, growing number of Americans look to the government for support. They do not think of work as the prime avenue to financial stability. How sad. Would that we could get back to the work ethic and patriotism of 1945. Would that we could return to the days when doors were unlocked… screen doors wafted breezes of fresh cut grass into a kitchen… where Mama prepared supper….
Those days are gone, but their mettle can be revived. We can demand that our government reform the warped welfare system. How many able-bodied people exist on government checks? I’ll bet the true number would astound you. Nothing, it seems, does come for free — unless, that is, it comes from the government.
This nation was built by people who did for themselves. Did they struggle? Mightily. Did they suffer losses? Often immeasurable ones. Did young boys have to take over entire families when parents died? Indeed. Were things fair? Oh, please. When has life ever been fair or even-handed?
Of course, some people fell through the cracks and descended into criminal activity. Yet, by and large, Americans were known as hard working people who loved challenges.
Sadly, our challenge today is to reclaim that attitude and extol the work ethic to the youngest of us. If we don’t, we will fail. Rome was once great. Then, it fell into a pattern of leisure and entertainment — the antiquarian version of “quality time”. Does that sound familiar?
Movies and music are peppered with violent, sex-laden images and harsh lyrics. Advertising appeals to the prurient. Plots are thick with raw language and nudity. Is this how to rear young boys to respect women? Is this how we teach strong family values? Pretty awful to contemplate the results of such exposure, isn’t it?
The Hollywood that opened the Hollywood Canteen and supported our troops now thinks nothing of putting out films about political assassinations, praising dictators, and portraying characters of low degree. Is this how far we have come from 1945? A mere 65 years to this?
Oh, I forgot. The studio moguls of the 1930s and 1940s were immigrants themselves — men who knew the value of freedom and wanted to support those who defended it.
Think you can’t do anything to change things? Think again.
Vow to never pass up an opportunity to encourage someone who struggles in difficult circumstances. Impress youngsters with the rewards of self-achievement. Spur their vivid imaginations to new inventions. Explain how pride comes from a job well done. You can do it. It only takes a little time.
Moreover, don’t let the grass grow under your feet when it comes to decrying the attitude that “government knows best”. Oh, it knows best, all right, but not like a father, like a “sugar daddy” — self-righteous, boastful, arrogant, and all knowing.
What government does know how to do is spend OUR money. Oops! Correct that. That money is our grandchildren’s money.
Unfunded federal liabilities top $130 trillion. If you can’t get your mind wrapped around that number, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger.
This complete lack of responsibility has to stop. If it doesn’t, America’s outcome is grim. It’s your country. It’s the future for the children. Think about it.