Post by dsc on Jul 16, 2020 22:49:56 GMT -8
It seems that we have alternated between roughly two decades of prosperity and unity and two decades of general malaise and discord since the turn of the 20th century.
1900's and 1910's: These were literally called the Good Years. Under the strong leadership of Ted Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, America prospered. We reluctantly entered the Great War which united the country and came away with our global standing at a whole new level.
20's-30's: The roaring 20's saw a widening economic disparity which led to the Great Depression. The country appeared to fall apart at the seams.
40's-50's: The country roared out of the Depression, entered World War II and defeated Nazism. The postwar America enjoyed the unprecedented expansion of the middle class.
60's-70's: The Vietnam War, protests, Nixon, race riots, awful fashion, oh my. I believe most of us lived through these years.
80's-90's: Economic prosperity under Clinton and Reagan (yes it masked a lot of problems, but the good feelings were still there). The Cold War ended. With Communism defeated, the free world led by America appeared to be in for many decades of continued prosperity and peace. The sky was the limit.
2000-present: Need I say more? 9-11, Iraq War, Sarah Palin, the Great Recession, Donald Trump and now the pandemic.
If the pattern continues to hold, we may be on the cusp of good years ahead. The pandemic has exposed the country's deep flaws, but perhaps it will also serve as a teachable moment to inspire the nation to turn the corner.
1900's and 1910's: These were literally called the Good Years. Under the strong leadership of Ted Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, America prospered. We reluctantly entered the Great War which united the country and came away with our global standing at a whole new level.
20's-30's: The roaring 20's saw a widening economic disparity which led to the Great Depression. The country appeared to fall apart at the seams.
40's-50's: The country roared out of the Depression, entered World War II and defeated Nazism. The postwar America enjoyed the unprecedented expansion of the middle class.
60's-70's: The Vietnam War, protests, Nixon, race riots, awful fashion, oh my. I believe most of us lived through these years.
80's-90's: Economic prosperity under Clinton and Reagan (yes it masked a lot of problems, but the good feelings were still there). The Cold War ended. With Communism defeated, the free world led by America appeared to be in for many decades of continued prosperity and peace. The sky was the limit.
2000-present: Need I say more? 9-11, Iraq War, Sarah Palin, the Great Recession, Donald Trump and now the pandemic.
If the pattern continues to hold, we may be on the cusp of good years ahead. The pandemic has exposed the country's deep flaws, but perhaps it will also serve as a teachable moment to inspire the nation to turn the corner.
