Reply #56: These zombies just won't die!!!

[HamdenRice]

In a thread about whether America is a great country, here is an exchange you'll love:

18 Maybe in around 1963 we were at our peak and one of the freest countries.
But even then we had red-baiting, poverty, a cold war, all manner of problems - it's never been anywhere near a utopia. Problem is the millions of us who were raised in the middle-class suburban bubble, from which it LOOKED damn near like a utopia. Millions are still clinging to the fantasy, insulating their own bubble more and more, while refusing to take action to deal with the mounting realities of war, deficits, poverty and a decimated manufacturing base.

22. In '63 it was better?...
...Maybe if you were white.


29. Yes. It was better for the white majority.
Was the goal of the civil rights movement to impoverish more white people? I hope not.
There was a prosperous working class in the 60s. Not anymore.

38. Really? So you're glad that the working class has been decimated?
That almost no moms can afford to stay at home even for a few years anymore? You think that's progress?
There have been some gains for people of color, but last time I checked, poverty was still endemic for them too.
For some people, drinking fountains and symbolism are of the utmost importance.
For me, EVERYBODY having a decent standard of living is way more important.
I don't buy into symbolism - we've got a "black" Secretary of State now, and that does NOTHING for any person of color.
I think your post is creepier by far. Trying to sniff for some hint of veiled racism, because poverty is irrelevant to you.


42. THere seems to be an attitude among many afffluent liberals...
That because segregation was struck down, it has somehow translated into better living standards.
The fact is that poverty among people of color is still very high, and poverty among whites is higher (and don't cite me poverty statistics that define the poverty line as $12K for a family of 4)
The right and affluent liberals use symbolic victories like busing or Condi as secy of state to try to pretend that we've made progress.
But the rich have gotten richer and the poor - both black and white - have gotten poorer and more numerous.