Changed expectations

It's amazing how our societal outlook has changed over the past 60-some years.

United States Office of War Information poster

Few if any Americans likely looked at this poster in 1943 and saw it as a pitch for free food or housing.

It was a patriotic message to rally a war effort, and secure future freedom for individuals to pursue the bountiful blessings to be found in our great land.

Today, many would immediately interpret it as an endorsement for programs like food stamps (recently renamed SNAP), housing subsidies, and other so-called entitlements.

The poster is just another reminder how much we've changed. It's just the change happened so gradually, no one really noticed.