I wasn't engaged in the newspaper business back in 1955. I came along several years later.

But, had I been working then, here's a Thoughts column I might have written.Here's how many of us were thinking back then.Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging seven cents just to mail a letter?If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents a gallon?Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it.I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.I never thought I'd see the day when all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They're even making electric typewriters now.It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.It won't be long before young coulples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole line of foreign business.Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the government talkes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.The fast food restaurant is convenient for a quick meal, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.There is no sense going on short trips anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $2 a night to stay in a hotel.No one can afford to be sick anymore. AT $15 a day in the hospital, it's too rich for my blood.If they think I'll spend 50 cents for a haircut, forget it.Now for some more recent thoughts:The nicest headline I saw this week: Major League teams ready to report to camp. Ah, spring training. Can warm weather be far behind?I'm not for privatizing liquor stores. Allowing liquor anbd beer to be sold in supermarkets and other venues will put too many small businesses (beer distributors) out of business.Privatizing the Pennsylvania Lottery system to a British firm, won't motivate me to play the lottery more.The rich get richer. National champion Alabama, and Ohio State (undefeated) had thge two top recruiting classes in college football, according to Sports Illustrated Magazine. Personally, I'll be following the Penn State class, especially highly touted quarterback Christian Hackenberg, grandson of my for Coaldale High School teamate, Dr. Rich Miller.Tommy Bonner, who will be the recipient of this year's Shamrock Award in the Panther Valley is not only a good choice, but a great choice. Congratulations, Tom.The city of Philadelphia is suing the Yuengling Brewery for $6.5 million, saying it owes the city back taxes. Seems to me that the city is double dipping in trying to claim that windfall. I'm for Dick Yuengling to win this court battle.Until this week I never knew a Pope could resign (After all, it's been 600 years since one did it). I always thought it was a lifetime commitment.