Valley's Depression-era seniors see similar signs today

NILES — Area seniors are split on whether the country is facing another Great Depression, but many say they see similar signs.

Retired Fowler resident Alice Chipps, 81, said she is optimistic that the United States can turn the financial crisis around, but sees the recession deepening first.

“We don’t have the bread lines we had before,” she said. “But we’re headed that way.”

The Depression coincided with the stock market crash of 1929, sharply raising the cost of living and closing businesses, leaving many Americans without jobs. It continued through the late 1930s, until around World War II, when industries were formed to aid the military.

Chipps said one significant reason the nation is in bad shape is because of a post-Depression parental attitude of wanting to be great providers.

“My generation came out of World War II and the Depression, and we wanted to give our children everything we didn’t have,” she said. “That got out of hand.”

She said she’s amazed today by teenagers with no concept of savings, and with credit cards that have been maxed out. She called it a reaction to me-focused generations.

Irene Poling agreed.

For the complete story, see Saturday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.