VL: the Deal

[Terrance]

Ah, the children! The Family!  That Prairie!  

The erosion in social values that emerged in the 1980s, an erosion that
had its roots in the failed promises of the 60s and 70s is the deeper
subtext of VL. This erosion is  manifested in the retreat of the New
Left (i.e., political figures like Kerry) from candor, compassion, and a
concern for others in the direction of narcissistic self absorption,
pious sloganeering, hypocrisy, and greed. While the Left blames the
Right, both share in failure that  has contributed to the decline in the
commitment of the USA to the needs of disenfranchised children,
adolescents, and working class families (Prairie, Ché).