Is the U.S. today riper for revoltion than it has been since the Great Depression?
363628
We are allowed revolution every time we vote, I think it is going to happen this year in November, I don't think you will see alot of familiar faces taking up space in Washington and if things do not improve I think the Great revolution will happen in 08
282814
"going to hell in a handbasket" Where the hell are you living? Unemployment is down to like 5% thats lower than just about any country in the world. We in the United States enjoy very good lives. Perhaps you would rather have been young in the 30s and 40s. There was no support for the elderly. Children were expected to start work at age 7. The work week was Monday thru Saturday with 16 hour days. The child mortality rate was very high as kids were hurt in textile plants, on farms and generally abused by overworked, parents. Open up a history book and learn where we have come from before you start blabbing about how things have gone bad. Things are quite good. You should be damned thankful you are alive in this era and living in this country.
351065
The 1950s in the United States of America were marked with a sharp rise in the economy for the first time in almost 30 years and return to the 1920s-type consumer society built on credit and boom-times, as well as the baby boom from returning GIs who went to college under the G.I. Bill and settled in suburban America. Most of the internal conflicts that had developed in earlier decades like women's rights, civil rights, imperialism, and war were relatively suppressed or neglected during this time as a world returning from the brink hoped to see a more consistent way of life as opposed to liberalism and radicalism of the 1930s and 1940s. The effect of suppressing social problems in the 50s would have a significant impact on the rest of the twentieth century.\n\nThe 1950s were also marked with a rapid rise in conflict with the United States and the Soviet Union that would heighten the Cold War to an unprecedented level which would include the Arms Race, Space Race, McCarthyism, and Korean War. Stalin's death in 1953 left an enormous impact in Eastern Europe that forced the Soviet Union to create more liberal policies internally and externally. The rise of Suburbia as well as the growing conflict with the East are the two generally accepted reasons for the conservative domination of this decade.
737380
The US isn't maintaining its past lifestyle now.  There are more homeless than ever, with the rising cost of housing fewer people are able to own their own homes, more young adults are having to move back in with their parents because they can't afford their own homes or apartments. People are working more than ever but are still falling farther & farther behind.  Spiraling costs in healthcare are putting it more and more out of reach. Between less money being available for primary and secondary education, school closings, and larger class sizes, a decent education is getting further out of reach. Manufacturing and production jobs have been exported to other countries where the labor costs are cheaper, so there are fewer jobs in these areas for all of those people who can only get that limited american public education. The only sure place where there is anticipated growth is the prison industry.  It ain't just for black folks any more. \n\nThe american standard of living is quickly going straight to hell NOW. It's not going to take 100 years.  And all you teens & 20 somethings...you should care, this is the world you're inheriting, and you have a long time to be stuck with it.
1082212
I think the issue is more then a depression. The United States is losing confidence throughout the world. Foreign and American investors are turning to Europe as the solidified economy. A depression indicates a periodic significant drop in the economy. I think its going to be much worse. It will be permanent. New jobs consist of unskilled and underpaid positions. When 10,000 Americans are applying for jobs that pay 8 dollars an hour, just so they can work, and basic fuel products, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil etc are skyrocketing, how are people going to afford this at 8 dollars an hour? We are watching the decline of the American dream and hence its empire. This is sadly written by someone who loves America.
4150
Most definitely. As the leader of the United States during arguably the most difficult time of our history, he pushed Congress to pass emergency bills and reform measures that helped improve the economic situation in the eyes of the public. Though many historians say the beginning of World War II ended the Depression, I think that if it weren't for FDR's leadership, American morale would have fell too far to possibly recover economically.
744632
In regards to the Great Depression....as far as the course of finding ways to combat the economic slump....he was giving the American people a pep talk. Don't be afraid, being afraid will prevent us from doing what need be done.
168677
Having lived through the 60's & 70's I think the answer is yes.  Why?... I don't really know.  Maybe it can be summed up on a bumper sticker I saw the other day:  "If you are not OUTRAGED, you're not PAYING ATTENTION!"\n\nNow, having asked this, answered this, & read this, let's all get up and do something positive to make a difference!\n\nMany Blessings on your efforts....
339838
Those are very different questions.\n\nThe first I'd say WWI, the widescale adoption of the automobile, the general rise of automation and the decline of small-plot agriculture, the great depression, the new deal, and WWII.\n\nThe second I'd say probably the loosening of immigration restictions, the exodus from Europe preceeding the two world wars, and the rise of the united states as a world superpower.
447927
Present America is like pre WWII Germany!\nYou just see they want any others to prosper. Because of their ongoing fookish decisions, whole world is suffering (e.g. hike in petrol price to $72/barrell!!! Is it not fact?)\n\nAmericans are enjoying their lavish life at the cost of world.\n\nThose who think otherwise, should re-assess their veiws & may modify their comments.
291996
Interesting question. It definitely was a time of much greater innocence on the part of the public. There was little of the "muckraking" of today, so we didn't see much of the seamier side of politics. There were backroom deals, of course, but we didn't know of them.\nPoliticians such as Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson were articulate and seemingly honest. \nThere were notable similarities to today, specifically the McCarthy era in the early 1950s. Politicians then were searching for the Commies and the Commie-sympathizers, and especially focused on the film industry and universities.\nThere were few and infrequent news sources compared to today. Newspapers, radio, film, and the fledgling tv interests gave us news headlines.\nThere also seemed to be much more willingness of democrats and republicans to be civil towards each other, both at the level of political parties and among individuals, as compared to the current atmosphere.\nOverall, the country was far more conservative in its values. Females tended to be homemakers; no one would admit to being gay or lesbian; minorities had little access to jobs and power; environmental concerns were of little interest. One of the few things that tended more toward a democratic position was the power of unions at that time--they were much more prominent.
468802
I definitely agree that our society is going downhill.  Unfortunately, it agrees with history.\n\nIf you look back on all of the great societies of the past, Egyptian, Roman, Babylon, etc.  they have all crumbled for one reason or another.\n\nI hate to think that our society is on the same path but looking around it's hard not to think that way.  Our government is trying to conquer the world, politically.  The claim that other countries are wrong if they do not share our same views.\n\nThe U.S. is the lone Super Power in the world today, but China and India are making up ground at an unbelievable pace.\n\nI love America and I want nothing more than our society to flourish, not to be torn apart by our government's incompetence and inability.
534128
None of the above, the tensions were not eased until the soviet union started breaking down.  They did get a little better in the 70's than they were in the 50's but only by degrees.
394549
no, it is just part of the business cycle. sometimes it's up - sometimes it's down.\n\nbtw, we have not been in a true depression for many years - mostly only recessions which is defined as 2 quarters of negative growth
941698
It would be difficult to identify anything which would indicate that the U.S. as a whole is better off than it was 12 years ago. Consider the following:\n\n1. We are in a war in Iraq from which there appears to be no exit strategy, and in which we are experiencing increasing casualties, while spending huge sums of money, mush of which has been completely wasted.\n2. While initially successful in our war with the Taliban and Al Queda in Afghanistan, conditions there are rapidly deteriorating.\n3. Our borders, our ports, and our transportation systems continue as "soft targets," with little to show for Homeland Security efforts but the inconveniencing of millions air travelers with security efforts filled with gigantic holes.\n4. FEMA has demonstrated its total incompetence in dealing with either natural or terrorist-caused emergencies.\n5. Recent legislation has removed some of the basic constitutional protections, specifically that of the Habeas Corpus protection.\n6. Our national debt is at an all-time high.\n7. We have a President who at best is simply a fool, and at worst may well be suffering symptoms of brain damage, or early Alzheimer's (pre senile dementia).\n8. We are overwhelmed, in many ways, by the influx of illegal immigrants. \n9. Our educational product, is one of increasing actual or functional illiteracy\n\nI could go on with much more, but perhaps worst of all is that there is little I can find to say representing an improvement in the quality of life for most Americans.
414320
America is currently facing many problems, however a drastic decline in it's power is doubtful.  According to most rankings that take into account all aspects of a nation, The usa is by far the most powerful, and is more powerful than the second and third most powerful countries combined.  However, if our country continues on its current trend yes there will be problems.  Our currency is depreciating, and the gap between rich and poor is growing under the current administration, and there is also talk of starting our third war in this regime.  The only reason why i think that America won't decline though is because the Republicans will have nobody else to blame after this term, and once they are voted out these problems will be addressed.  The republicans control everything now and have lost their scapegoat.  The only people they have to blame our themselves.
1080545
I do not think it is the freedoms that have weakened our country (assuming it IS weakened).  I believe it is the trend toward intolerance that would be having that affect.\n\nOur greatest strength for over 200 years is that we are all a mishmosh of ideas, nationalities, faiths and opinions.  Our ability to allow for another opinion, even one we disagree with and do everything we can to oppose, has always made us strong. (it is the whole idea of "don't you dare mess with my brother, I CAN, but YOU better not").  We are now getting to the idea that only one way is the right way and to even THINK otherwise is evil.\n\nThis is showing in the lawsuits (where I WILL agree we need laws limiting them - and none too soon).  It is also showing with the whole idea of political correctness, which I see as a limit, not a freedom.  I think if the govt who work for us would just obey the laws that exist, there would once again be examples set for others to follow.  But I for one, do NOT want a bunch of crooks making laws limiting my freedoms.