Are we nearing America's third great crisis?

[Valin]

MPLS (Red) Star Tribune:

First, the Civil War, then the Great Depression and World War II. Now, the double whammy of foreign enemies and the unsustainable modern welfare state.

John C. “Chuck” Chalberg

April 15 2016

 

American history has been marked by crises of all sorts. But the Civil War and the Great Depression dwarf all the others. Are we due for a third crisis of comparable proportions? It might even be worse. The Civil War and the Depression were pretty much homegrown and homebound. The next one could be foreign and domestic.

 

To be sure, we have fought and won major wars, both hot and cold, in the not too distant past. World War II overlapped with the Great Depression. But that conflict actually contributed to ending our long-running economic crisis. A major war today would only worsen already-serious problems at home. It also would be a war for which we are increasingly unprepared, especially psychologically.

 

The timing of the Civil War and Great Depression permit American history to be divided roughly into thirds, linking each segment with decisive shifts in our political and partisan order.

 

(Snip)

 

Can our modern welfare state be reformed short of a major crisis? History seems to say “no.” History tells us that democracies require crises before serious change is embraced. That certainly was the case with the Civil War and the Great Depression.

 

The future is necessarily cloudy, but at the moment this much is clear: We are nearing the end of the road that the country embarked upon with the New Deal.

 

(Snip)

 

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The Comments as always very...enlightening.

[nickydog]

Agree. This is not going to be pretty. Hinge of history for sure, right before our very eyes.

[SrWoodchuck]

Anything tasting of conservative pap...will bring the beatings. I suppose they posted this article in the Green Red Star to elicit the comments & drive up readership. It's progressive to kick your neighbors dog for staying in it's yard...while you chase your mutt down the street ahead of the dog-catcher.