I like history. It was my favorite subject during my learning years.

It is during the worst of times that we prepare for the better times to come.

The Great Depression of the 1930s was followed by a world at war. Yet the generation that survived those times became the “Greatest Generation,” as historians now call them. It was the things they did to get through those dark days that set up the good times that followed.

They set the stage for Social Security, a successful program that gave hope, dignity and security to those who are in their retirement years of their lives.

They set the stage for the civil rights legislation that gave hope, dignity and security for all Americans, whether black, yellow, brown, white — male or female.

What will be written about these times and this generation? Will we be remembered as the “Me First Generation” or will we set the stage for greatness to follow?

Pass health care reform now. We need to focus on “What is right” instead of “Who is right.” If public option is what it takes to get everyone covered, then include it in the bill. We (this generation) are the next bearers of the torch. I won’t let my father’s generation or his father’s generation down. I will do my part to ensure that his great experiment (American democracy) continues to work for everyone.

History, as always, will be the judge.

Dale Chidester

Austin