Old Man Latahtski and the Late Great USAMark Hughes So why do I know so many young people today who wonder if they can afford to get married, or if they can afford to start a family? Why does everyone seem to need two incomes? I think about this every day and every day I remember Old Man Latahtski. I was 12 at the time. I had a paper route (Toledo Blade). I had an old Schwinn bicycle and a dog. And everyday we all went off to deliver the newspapers whatever the weather. Friday of course was the day to collect. I always dreaded stopping to collect from Old Man Latahtski. Imagine a haunted house on a Hollywood set; old, dilapidated, run down. The old mans house was surrounded by a tall brick wall that enclosed countless rusted treasures obscured by weeds taller than I was. Skeletal remains stood as testimony that fruit trees once thrived there. The windows had not been cleaned in decades, several had cracked glass. Torn sheets served as curtains. The car appeared to have languished undisturbed for years. It was enough to intimidate any 12 year old. Finally Old Man Latahtski would pay me.with silver coins. Why? . because he could not bear to cheat a boy, .he could not bring himself to cheat a boy. I would then thank him and go on my way. Once home, I would set aside the silver coins and use the nickel plated copper monopoly money to pay the newspaper. I still have those silver coins 47 years later. Im lucky actually for the many little lessons I received throughout my life that have alerted me to the demise of the late great USA. I have been able to prepare myself. But what I am most grateful for is the awareness and the understanding of what is transpiring. Old Man Latahtski, wherever you are, thank you and God bless you. This article has been entered into the selfnews Post Writing Contest Solutions. 1st place receives a $250 cash prize $250 gift certificate to Offgrid Outpost. 2nd place receives a $250 gift certificate to Offgrid Outpost. Additional details and submission guidelines can be found here: http://www.activistpost.com/2012/11/activist-post-writing-contest.html If you like this article, please share it. The winner is decided by total pageviews. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 