When Coffee Was a Dime

The world when coffee was a dime seems so distant now. The turbulence of the times mirrors much of the events that occurred almost like it was 86 years ago. Even though much has changed, much remains reminiscent of the times when coffee was a just a dime. In the 1930s, the world was filled with so much despair, woe, and misery. Sadly though, history always has found a way to repeat events that have played out before. And today the times are not that much different for millions when all you needed was a dime for that cup of coffee.

All around the world, the multitudes of impoverished see no end to their plight. Even in the United States, the plight of so many continues to mount. Any attempt to close the greatest wealth disparity gap in history is swiftly and abruptly squashed. There remains a never-ending growing number of those who are swept up into the whirlwind cycle of poverty.

Back when coffee was a dime there seemed to be a more civility among the masses. Even in this nation's darkest hour much of this nation was held together by the sheer refinement that society had those many years ago. Now, we live in an age of greed and selfishness. Our leaders of political expediency have plotted, schemed, and shrewdly positioned this country away from the basic principles of our Founding Fathers. In doing so have corrupted the very institutions of government. Now, that cup of coffee sets one back more than $3.00. Heaven forbid you order an espresso! That is like shelling out a second mortgage. And, of course, the civility of our nation has been ripped apart, more so by having Trump in the White House.

What this present administration has done along with our spineless Congress has only hastened this nation's downfall. From all those foreign policy directives Trump has managed to create a more unstable and hostile world. We are now poised to fall into a period a cataclysm of financial despair. Another Great Depression is most surely on the way.

It was back in the Great Depression though where the phrase "Buddy, can you spare a dime?" was coined. That phrase symbolized the plight of Americans living in deplorable conditions. Through greed and financial posturing by the wealthy, the elite managed to wipe out millions of hard-working Americans' financial means. All across the country "Hey buddy can you spare a dime?" was the cry of a nation swept up into a period of anguish and torment. It was a good thing though that coffee was just a dime. From the soup kitchens to tent cities, the 30s evoked that catchphrase where "Can you spare a dime?" meant a difference for millions of Americans.

Even back in the early 1960s, ten cents could actually buy a lot of things. In New York you could still get that cup of coffee and you could ride the subway. Not so today. Prices of everything has risen drastically to the point that millions are unable to make ends meet. The plight of the poor, the impoverished masses has only continued to increase with each passing year.

In the 30s, where starving masses lined up in soup kitchens one of the most popular songs of that period used that catchphrase "Can you spare a dime?" to depict why this nation stole their livelihoods? To a great deal today, our own governmental policies have made it much easier for corporations and businesses to siphon off livelihoods, leaving millions stranded, abandoned by the very government that is supposed to help in troubled times.

Sure, today there are those so-called safety nets, food stamps, unemployment insurance, and other agencies that are supposed to help. But, sadly, more often than not these agencies are just footnotes of the large bureaucratic blotted system known as our government. And Trump and the rest of the Republicans want to do is reduce or eliminate all leaving millions to languish in acute poverty.

When coffee was a dime it was a period in time where the simplicity of life eased much of the tension and turmoil that grew out of those most difficult and depressing times. Today, the tempo of life is much faster, more stressful in practically every way. One has to wonder when you see panhandlers at almost every intersection, it's not a dime they are asking for, it is now a couple of dollars. And that is the very sad reality we live in today.