Thread: When America was great!

I hear this phrase thrown around a lot. I am curious though, which time period are we talking about?

Does this time period vary based on the person's personal experience?

What are the factors for the greatness?

People who's inability to take charge with their present situation will most certainly have their best days in the past. I hear it a lot too, and would love to see the 1950's for myself but I can't. People have always been mesmerized by their Elder's Fables. btw, I was born in 1976

I was wondering the exact same thing today. I personally can't think of a time in American history when I think "going back" would be an improvement.

Seems to me it is a matter of perspective, point of view. It would depend on the individuals socio economic status, childhood, race, creed and color. For example for a white anglo saxon protestant the '50s was a pretty good time. For people 'of color' or females it wasn't so great.

Originally Posted by JimR

I was wondering the exact same thing today. I personally can't think of a time in American history when I think "going back" would be an improvement.

For me, it would be when gas was still less than $1 a gallon. Now a full tank takes a $50 bite out of my wallet.

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

For me, it would be when gas was still less than $1 a gallon. Now a full tank takes a $50 bite out of my wallet.

Funny the price of gas should come up. I have a very vivid memory from when I was about 12. My Dad got in an argument with a gas station attendant (back when there was such a thing) over charging 63 cents a gallon for gas! I remember the old man telling the attendant that "if he wanted to rob people he'd better go buy a gun." It's probably fortunate that he's no longer around to see what we're paying for gas. I got to thinking how sad it is that when the price of gas goes down to $3.30 a gallon, we've been conditioned to think we're getting one hell of a break.

As far as the original question, I would say that like lots of straight razor shavers, I'm nostalgic for times I never lived in. I would think that the America of the late nineteenth or early twentieth century (Pre-WWI) would be something to see. Straight razors, soaps, strops and hones were available at any drug store or five and dime. Pipe smoking and tobacco use in general was not a criminal act and many fine American burley blends were affordable and widely available (not to mention Cuban cigars, if that's your thing.) The concept of right and wrong was still very clear and a decent work ethic would get a man very far. The respectable man wouldn't be seen in public without a stylin hat. Sounds like a world I could thoroughly enjoy.

As far as times in my lifetime I wouldn't mind going back to, the reign of Ronaldus Magnus (Ronald Reagan). I think in my lifetime, this was America at its best. Besides, I was a young, "well to do", single GI in the Philippines. Work hard and play even harder, ah those were the days.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Does this time period vary based on the person's personal experience?

What are the factors for the greatness?

I think that such a personal viewpoint is definitely based not only on one's experience, but one's perspective as well.

The personal experiences and/or perspectives of one person one generation cannot be the sole determinant of greatness, imho.

From our limited perspective, national power--political, economic, diplomatic--is the measure of greatness. A nation's as well as its citizens' ability to do, want and have what it wants--anytime and anywhere it chooses. Such a definition of greatness, which is quite appealing is, in my estimation, short-sighted.

After all, national political and economic power, as defined above, are fleeting.

Speaking as an historian, I think that it is the values and beliefs that a nation bequeaths to posterity, which stand the test of time, that is the real measure of national greatness.

Given that as of right now America has some serious debt problems that need to be fixed presents problems for almost everyone. The rear view mirror is almost going to look better for most people. Also a new generation that is being fed propoganda on how they too can be a victim and deserve special entitlements.

Having said that, ask anyone who has been here and made something of their lives and I am sure they will tell you that within their current lifetime America was great to them. It was great to them because they enjoyed the personal freedom and all they asked for was the chance to prove themselves. It was great enough to them they would lay their lives down to keep their country safe for everyone, even the brats that only complain and have the expectation that the Government needed to fix everything for them.

America was certainly great in my lifetime and I am thankful for all she has allowed me to do.

You really can't ask this question on an individual basis because it all depends in ones station in life. if you are a person with a good paying job and a bright future things couldn't be better. If you were kicked out of your good paying manufacturing job and were being paid 50% less you would think otherwise. Those who would love to go back to the 1800s and early 1900s might do well to remember what the life expectancy was back then and just surviving childhood was a miracle. All my grand parents died in their 60s and my father lost a sister to disease in the early 20th century.

If you asked a CEO of a large corporation in Europe producing luxury items his assessment of the U.S what you would get unanimously was that the US is a submerging economy and these outfits are looking elsewhere to peddle their wares.

I guess back in the 1700s countries like Spain and Portugal were delusional in thinking about their bright future and probably in the 1800s the UK was too. Now it's our turn and theirs plenty of delusion going on in this country.

Any time pre-Clinton. But in my lifetime the Reagan years bring back the best memories. I was born during the Eisenhower administration, and remember the Kennedy assassinations, as well as MLK's assassination. But America led the way from landing on the moon to standing up for what was right. Perhaps we can get back to those values.