FYI, Thomas Paines - Common Sense:

http://www.earlyamerica/milestones/c...ense/text.html

May just want to browse it, or leap to "Thought of the present state of American affairs". But, it is remarkable how somethings still retain their meaning after centuries.


As for the 1950's being "the" idealistic period of (in) American history? I suppose there can be a palpable arguement for that. As long as we ignore the realities of it. The continuing government support for suppressing the rights of blacks - Ike sent troops South to help the National Guard there keepp Blacks in their place. I still recall seeing the firehoses turned on those brave enough to protest the denial of their rights. I also remember the "Whites ONLY" - "Colored ONLY" signs. Further, under Ike we were in a recession - though inpart due to the Korean war and our rebuilding of (assistance to) Europe. Sure, few in small communities locked their doors - 'til a family was murdered in Kansas and we didn't have 1% of our people in prison or jail. But, we had a cold war and the kids were being taught to "duck and cover" (in case the Ruskys attacked us - though we were much more aggressive in some forms of our Jingoism).

Still, there was more of a sense of community. Divorce was just beginning to become the rage (hey, messed up with whom you wed? Divorce and try again) and most people still attended religious services of some form - 'til the religious leaders started telling them what they ought to think and what being a true believer really was.

Was it a simpler time? Sure if you were middle-class and white. Was it the best of times? Well, my Grandad said that was 1910. Damn Rock&Roll messed everything up. Of course his father thought it was the flappers and jazz that did that.

Common sense. Being under an umbrella doesn't make one safe from lightning.