Where Are the Good Old Days?

Eric and I were sitting today talking to our loan officer. The discussion meandered to the economy and how banks are handling things to ensure that they aren't hurt. Our friend said that it is much more difficult to get a loan these days. He said that even if people have had a loan before, and were "good for the money," it doesn't guarantee that they will get one in the future. He said something that made me cringe. He said even if you have known a family your entire life, it doesn't matter anymore when it comes to entrusting money to them. A person's good name is no longer of any worth. How sad is that? When people lose the value of their name, banking becomes impersonal.

I just had a flashback to "It's a Wonderful Life" where James Stewart starts handling out his own personal honeymoon money to help his banking customers. Hmmmm, where are the good old days?

I don't mean to sound doomsday-ish, but it makes me so sad to see parts of our heritage and culture just fade away. You know, things like: a person will be good to pay something back, simply because it is in his character to do so.