View Poll Results: Is the U.S. better or worse than it was 50 years ago
Yes 23 50.00%
No 9 19.57%
banana 14 30.43%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

 
 
Thread Tools
Old March 18, 2003, 04:20   #1
Dis
ACDG3 SpartansC4DG Vox
Deity
 
Dis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 17,354
Is the U.S. better or worse than it was 50 years ago?
Obviously it is better because of the less racism now than 50 years ago.

But take away the racism, was the 50's really that bad?

I suppose it was worse for women. They seemed to be oppressed back then. But they aren't any happier now than they were 50 years ago.

What I'm getting at is: Is the U.S. getting better or worse?
__________________
Focus, discipline
Barack Obama- the antichrist
Dis is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:25   #2
Pyrodrew
Prince
 
Pyrodrew's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 679
Quote:
What I'm getting at is: Is the U.S. getting better or worse?
And you want this answered with a yes or no question???

Pyrodrew is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:31   #3
Dis
ACDG3 SpartansC4DG Vox
Deity
 
Dis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 17,354
yes
__________________
Focus, discipline
Barack Obama- the antichrist
Dis is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:32   #4
Dis
ACDG3 SpartansC4DG Vox
Deity
 
Dis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 17,354
It was either this, or I creat a thread titled. Is there a superman curse? Currently they can't find anyone to play Superman because everyone is afraid of the curse.
__________________
Focus, discipline
Barack Obama- the antichrist
Dis is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:36   #5
Pyrodrew
Prince
 
Pyrodrew's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 679
Better or worse?

Rather than say yes or no to that, how about I just say better (for the most part).
Pyrodrew is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:42   #6
Dis
ACDG3 SpartansC4DG Vox
Deity
 
Dis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 17,354
you could always elaborate in the space provided below . But I didn't want to think of any poll options. It's late and I'm tired.
__________________
Focus, discipline
Barack Obama- the antichrist
Dis is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:45   #7
Urban Ranger
NationStatesApolyton Storywriters' GuildNever Ending Stories
Deity
 
Urban Ranger's Avatar
 
Local Time: 06:01
Local Date: November 2, 2010
Join Date: May 1999
Location: The City State of Noosphere, CPA special envoy
Posts: 14,606
Depends on what you mean, because "better or worse" covers a huge area.
__________________
(\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
(='.'=) "Claims demand evidence; extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence." -- Carl Sagan
(")_(") "Starting the fire from within."
Urban Ranger is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:52   #8
Pyrodrew
Prince
 
Pyrodrew's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 679
Quote:
Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Depends on what you mean, because "better or worse" covers a huge area.
If someone doesn't say, I assume they mean they are including all aspects with equating the pros & cons left up to the individual posting/voting.

If I'm wrong Dissident & you had something else in mind let me know.
Pyrodrew is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 04:55   #9
Harovan
staff
PtWDG Gathering StormPtWDG2 Monty PythonC4DG Gathering Storm
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
 
Local Time: 23:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
It is better than 50 years ago, but worse than 5 years ago. Since it's silly to select the alternative better/worse with yes/no, it's banana.
Harovan is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 05:48   #10
Urban Ranger
NationStatesApolyton Storywriters' GuildNever Ending Stories
Deity
 
Urban Ranger's Avatar
 
Local Time: 06:01
Local Date: November 2, 2010
Join Date: May 1999
Location: The City State of Noosphere, CPA special envoy
Posts: 14,606
50 years ago, the US accounted for 70% of world's production. Today, 20%. Can't be good in that respect.
__________________
(\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
(='.'=) "Claims demand evidence; extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence." -- Carl Sagan
(")_(") "Starting the fire from within."
Urban Ranger is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:05   #11
St Leo
Scenario League / Civ2-CreationApolytoners Hall of Fame
 
St Leo's Avatar
 
Local Time: 18:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: In search of pants
Posts: 5,085
Of course it's better. If I had to livie in the US in my year of choice, I'd pick 2003 over 1953.
__________________
Blog | Civ2 Scenario League | leo.petr at gmail.com
St Leo is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:06   #12
DaShi
Emperor
 
DaShi's Avatar
 
Local Time: 22:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Taste of Japan
Posts: 9,611
At least the US is willing to fight to kick out a dictator than put one in this time. . .I hope.
__________________
“As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Civ V Civilization V Civ5 CivV Civilization 5 Civ 5 - Do your part!
DaShi is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:08   #13
rah
lifer
Apolytoners Hall of FameCivilization IV: Multiplayer
Just another peon
 
rah's Avatar
 
Local Time: 17:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: who killed Poly
Posts: 22,919
I live in it now, so it must be better
__________________
The OT at APOLYTON is like watching the Special Olympics. Certain people try so hard to debate despite their handicaps.
rah is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:16   #14
GePap
Emperor
 
GePap's Avatar
 
Local Time: 16:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: of the Big Apple
Posts: 4,109
POverty is down, segregation is finished, rights for other groups have increased, people are wealthier, healthier (longer life spans)m the constant dread of nuclear annahilation is done, no more draft..

On the other hand: crime is up, people are fatter.

I say, better.
__________________
If you don't like reality, change it! me
"Oh no! I am bested!" Drake :(
"it is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong" Voltaire
"Patriotism is a pernecious, psychopathic form of idiocy" George Bernard Shaw
GePap is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:21   #15
Ozz
Chieftain
 
Local Time: 22:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 31
No differient, still a rogue state in rebellion against your
lawful Monarch.

Will you ever... learn..
Ozz is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:23   #16
Ned
King
 
Ned's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: of Aptos, CA
Posts: 2,596
50 years ago was 1952. Truman was in power. We had a stalemate in Korea and the French were losing in Indochina. Truman had also lost China and fired McArthur. We were clearly losing the Cold War. He was the most unpopular president ever to hold office according to polls.

50 years later, the Korean issue is reemerging, Vietnam is a total loss, we won the cold war, but are now in a war against terror. The United States has been attacked in a major way.

However, we have a president that is effectively fighting back, in contrast with the feckless Truman. His popularity remains high. We have confidence that we are winning the war on terror in contrast to our national gloom 50 years ago.

Also, as you say, Dissident, racism is substantially reduced and the rights of women are substantially enhanced. As well, the economy today is much larger in real terms than it was in 1952. The average American is a lot better off today than he was 1952.
__________________
http://tools.wikimedia.de/~gmaxwell/jorbis/JOrbisPlayer.php?path=John+Williams+The+Imperial+M arch+from+The+Empire+Strikes+Back.ogg&wiki=en
Ned is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:28   #17
Dauphin
Civilization IV PBEMPolyCast Team
Deity
 
Dauphin's Avatar
 
Local Time: 23:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: Seouenaca, Cantium
Posts: 12,426
Ned, are you still living in 2002?
__________________
"Everybody knows you never go full retard. You went full retard man. Never go full retard"
Dauphin is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:30   #18
Ned
King
 
Ned's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: of Aptos, CA
Posts: 2,596
Opps, 50 years ago we elected Eisenhower - a New Hope, in Star Wars terms. America's decline under Truman suddenly halted.

Even thouhg Ike was a great president, I still think we are better off today considering the domestic factors.
__________________
http://tools.wikimedia.de/~gmaxwell/jorbis/JOrbisPlayer.php?path=John+Williams+The+Imperial+M arch+from+The+Empire+Strikes+Back.ogg&wiki=en
Ned is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 17:33   #19
Ned
King
 
Ned's Avatar
 
Local Time: 14:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: of Aptos, CA
Posts: 2,596
Quote:
Originally posted by Big Crunch
Ned, are you still living in 2002?
Yes. But I caught it myself. Thanks.
Ned is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 18:00   #20
kolpo
Prince
 
Local Time: 22:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 314
In general better, the current crisis is just a temporary standoff that quite everybody will have forgotten within 10 years, just like with the standoff with Reagan and with the gualle. People always assume that what he now happening is important, the future often tells us that it isn't.
kolpo is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 18:04   #21
rah
lifer
Apolytoners Hall of FameCivilization IV: Multiplayer
Just another peon
 
rah's Avatar
 
Local Time: 17:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: who killed Poly
Posts: 22,919
50 years ago there was no CIV, No Apolyton.

Much better now.
__________________
The OT at APOLYTON is like watching the Special Olympics. Certain people try so hard to debate despite their handicaps.
rah is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:13   #22
chequita guevara
ACDG The Human HiveDiplomacyApolytoners Hall of Fame
Emperor
 
chequita guevara's Avatar
 
Local Time: 18:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Fort LOLderdale, FL Communist Party of Apolyton
Posts: 9,091
We are much better off today than 50 years ago.
__________________
Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree...
chequita guevara is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:23   #23
MrFun
Emperor
 
MrFun's Avatar
 
Local Time: 17:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Illinois
Posts: 8,595
Lay people tend to view history of a country as just a simple, continual upward path of so-called progress.

But why not view a country's history as a jagged path, with upward, forward movement in positive ways, and then some slippings backward in negative ways?

So in this aspect, it's over-simplifying things to say whether or not the United States is absolutely better than it was 50 years ago.

50 years ago, the United States was much more popular with the other Western nations during the Cold War, and with more recent memory of United States saving the Allies during World War II.

Today, the current government administration has alienated many of our allies and I think our world position has detoriated somewhat.

In terms of civil rights? Homosexuals are still denied equal protection under the Constitution and religious fundamentalists still hold sway over a substantial population with its homophobic propaganda. Overt homophobia is not villified in a negative sense as overt racism is today. On the other hand, there is progress towards equal rights regardless of sexual orientation by states, counties, cities, and companies.

And given a whole other set of different issues, I really can't decide absolutely whether or not United States is better now than it was 50 years ago. In terms of quality of life for more people -- yes, but in terms of societal issues -- I'm not sure.
__________________
STFU and then GTFO!
MrFun is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:23   #24
Dis
ACDG3 SpartansC4DG Vox
Deity
 
Dis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 17,354
I generally agree.

But what I can't figure out is why there is so much anger and unhappiness in the U.S. today.
__________________
Focus, discipline
Barack Obama- the antichrist
Dis is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:31   #25
chequita guevara
ACDG The Human HiveDiplomacyApolytoners Hall of Fame
Emperor
 
chequita guevara's Avatar
 
Local Time: 18:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Fort LOLderdale, FL Communist Party of Apolyton
Posts: 9,091
MrFun, 50 years ago you could go to jail or be involuntarily committed to an asylum just for being gay. You couldn't hold a government position. As bad as things may be today, they were worse 50 years ago.

That said, I think America's social peak was in the 1970s. We have a better standard of living today, but we were freer thiry years ago.
__________________
Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree...
chequita guevara is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:33   #26
chequita guevara
ACDG The Human HiveDiplomacyApolytoners Hall of Fame
Emperor
 
chequita guevara's Avatar
 
Local Time: 18:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Fort LOLderdale, FL Communist Party of Apolyton
Posts: 9,091
Quote:
Originally posted by Dissident
I generally agree.

But what I can't figure out is why there is so much anger and unhappiness in the U.S. today.
Because you aren't looking hard enough. Just because things were worse then doesn't mean things aren't bad now.
__________________
Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree...
chequita guevara is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:49   #27
Vandal-1
Call to Power Democracy GameCall to Power MultiplayerCall to Power PBEM
Chieftain
 
Vandal-1's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gilette WY USA
Posts: 64
The U.S. has become worse for personal freedom gradually since the 70 'S with respect to constitutional issues on everything from firearms to Privacy to domestic law. The average American is more regulated and survieled then his earlier counterpart.
The manufacturing sector that supplied a majority of middle class families with adequate employment were moved to more competitive labour forces in other countries,thus the middle class shrunk.
The Value of the dollar is also comparitively less as a result and wages if placed on parity would be substantially less.The Average American is poorer and carries more debt.
The answer is a emphatic NO!
Vandal-1 is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:52   #28
Dis
ACDG3 SpartansC4DG Vox
Deity
 
Dis's Avatar
 
Local Time: 15:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 17,354
I can't agree with the poorer bit.

Americans struggled to afford 1 tv set back in the 50's. Now they have 3 or 4, with 3 or 4 VCR's and one DVD player. Many can afford sound systems as well.

I would be inclined to agree we make less money than back then, but we also have 2 people in the houselhold working which makes up for it and more.

But money does not equal happiness.

And I really feel people are more unhappy now. Why else are anti-depressants selling so well?
__________________
Focus, discipline
Barack Obama- the antichrist
Dis is offline  
Old March 18, 2003, 23:57   #29
chequita guevara
ACDG The Human HiveDiplomacyApolytoners Hall of Fame
Emperor
 
chequita guevara's Avatar
 
Local Time: 18:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Fort LOLderdale, FL Communist Party of Apolyton
Posts: 9,091
First off, remember Mother's Little Helper? Depression was just as common back then. We also had a lot more self-medication with alcohol.

Also consider that Vandal-1 was supporting my contention that the 1970s was the height of American freedom.
__________________
Christianity: The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree...
chequita guevara is offline  
Old March 19, 2003, 00:00   #30
Berzerker
Civilization II MultiplayerApolytoners Hall of Fame
Emperor
 
Berzerker's Avatar
 
Local Time: 17:01
Local Date: November 1, 2010
Join Date: May 1999
Location: topeka, kansas,USA
Posts: 8,164
We would have avoided alot of these problems if Strom Thurmond had been elected President 50 years ago.
Berzerker is offline  
 

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 18:01.


Design by Vjacheslav Trushkin, color scheme by ColorizeIt!.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Apolyton Civilization Site | Copyright © The Apolyton Team