The contract was unraveled–or, rather, systematically dismantled–during the 1980s when Ronald Reagan cast a spell on Americans that made them think it was a good idea to do away with the very institutions and protections that helped create a thriving middle class in this country. I often wish we could go back 30 years for a “do over.”

I’d like a Do Over too.

It’s fashionable these days to think of things as hopelessly broken, but I do have some degree of faith we can put things back together again with the proper leadership.

I’m not sure it’s hopeless as much as I’m sure it’s unraveled, if you know what I mean. Surely there can be some sort of social contract again. But over the past several years, as I’ve read more and more literature on the workplace, and workplace conditions, and heard stories from individuals, it just feels broken all over the place.

My dad and my husband have this argument all the time. Dad still thinks the social contract exists and doesn’t get why any person would ever switch jobs voluntarily (since that’s not fulfilling your end of the deal).

Dad’s been retired for 15 years now, though.

I think my parents are beginning to see that the social contract doesn’t really exist, but like your dad, it is definitely there for them.