The ‘80s Can’t Be Easily Generalized

I can understand Judy Rosener’s excitement over her participation in the Clinton/Gore economic “teach-in” (“Summit Was an Inspirational, Grass-Roots Exchange of Ideas,” Dec. 20). But I caution her against characterizing the last 12 years as a time “when our country’s economic and social fabric became frayed and torn.”

To join so many others in marking 1980 as a point when the country entered a period of great darkness is dangerous and wrong for several reasons. First, it leads one to solely blame Carter/Mondale for the late ‘70s when we shared anguish over Americans held in Iran and the economy was in much greater trouble than now. Second, many people recall the mid-’80s as a time of great optimism, hope and energy. Third, to make inaccurate generalizations for effect runs counter to the face Democrats try to project (that is, one of a thinking, compassionate and considerate lot). To tell us of the bleakness of the ‘80s really raises expectations for the ‘90s. I don’t hear the trumpeting that it is “Morning in America” yet.

THERON COHEN

Irvine