The 1980's
Many people will remember the 1980's as a decade that renewed America's sense of optimism and created a new confidence in its future as well as its leaders. This decade is perceived by many to have been marked by prosperity with the creation of millions of new jobs and a much-needed build up of strength in our military. On the flip side we have those who suggest this decade was as one historian put it, " an era of greed, corruption, and decline for the United States." Many people suggest that the 80's were a decade in which the rich became richer and as the income gap grew while issues such as the Aids crisis began and homelessness rose. If there is one thing that can be agreed upon in this debate it's that this decade cannot be discussed without referring to former President Ronald Reagan. In a sense, he was the decade of the 80's for the U.S. Whether people speak positively or negatively about this time period it's almost certain this mans name will arise in the debate. The !policies he implemented and his economic and social philosophies would prove to have a large impact on the 1980's for America. Just 36 minutes after President Ronald Reagan took office it seemed as though the nation had taken a turn for the better. On Jan
On October 19, 1987, what has been called "Black Monday" occurred as the Dow Jones fell 22.6% as it dropped 508 points in a single day. With this apparently devastating blow to the economy the blame was placed on Reagan and his administration. As one writer for Time magazine said, "What crashed was more than just the market. It was the Reagan illusion: the idea that there could be a defense buildup and tax cuts without a price, that the country could live beyond its means indefinitely."11 Among other issues negatively impacting the United States were the living conditions of children in America. A study released in November of 1988 by the Urban Institute showed that the U.S. childhood-poverty rate was two or three times higher than that of most other first world countries where benefits for the poor are generally more generous. curities and other liquid assets) rose 26.5% while the number of people in poverty rose 16.9% and consumer debt rose 34.1%.6 Families beneath the poverty level, $12,000 per year, were suffering immensely and struggling to find jobs. As one unemployed work from Alabama said, "Four years ago I had a job."7 uary 20, 1981, just 36 minutes after the President was inaugurated, 52 American hostages were set free in Teheran.1 Even though the freeing of these hostages was something former President Carter and his administration had worked hard on, and in fact accomplished, it seemed as though the American people were so optimistic about their new Commander in Chief that Carter was forgotten and President Reagan had already begun steering America towards a brighter future. One writer, from Newsweek magazine, clearly reflects this sense of optimism in an article written shortly after Reagan was elected into office, "It was a day to remember-a day for champagne and church bells, for flags and swelling anthems, for the dazzle of skyrockets and the flutter of a million yellow ribbons. It was history spilling forth in a 24-hour tumble of images-of the end of the age! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Perhaps the decade of the 80's can best be described as one of clear contrast. There clearly were many issues that arose throughout this decade. It was by no mean a perfect decade. Along with the issues mentioned already homelessness rose with a lack of low-cost housing and a disease calle
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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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