Moral Decline of America

 

Throughout American history, periods of intense moral upheaval have shaped the nation's course and sparked significant social change. The country was founded before the Revolutionary era and survived until the Progressive Era (1890-1920) which produced The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which aimed to prevent monopolies and promote fair competition. The presidency of Theodore Roosevelt championed conservation, consumer protection, and trust-busting. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, exposed the harsh working conditions and led to labor reforms. The passage of the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th amendments, established the federal income tax, the direct election of senators, the prohibition of alcohol, and women's suffrage. Then we have the social movements of the 1960s; these periods share common characteristics. Society became disillusioned, trust in institutions waned, and moral outrage spread. A new generation emerged with a strong sense of morality, or in some cases no morality, using innovative communication methods to drive the national dialogue. Previously marginalized groups rose up and challenged the existing power structures, some of which were funded by Russia, but who is funding this new sense of moral decline? Some say it's George Soros! These times are marked by fervor, activism, and a sense of urgency to address societal injustices.

Fast forward to the mid-2010s and we see the emergence of various outsider groups shaking up the status quo. From young socialists rallying behind Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, the landscape begins to shift. Activist students, Black Lives Matter, and the growing discontent with neoliberalism all fueled the fire. Legitimacy was lost, and the ground began to tremble. Then came 2020, with its perfect storm of events - a pandemic, the killing of George Floyd, social unrest, and political turmoil. These were not the cause of the moral convulsion, but they sure did intensify the chaos. Like hurricanes amid an earthquake, they laid bare the deep-seated issues plaguing American society.

As we approach the last stretch of the election season, the chaos and turmoil seem to be reaching a boiling point. With the upcoming election looming, the stakes are higher than ever. Biden and the DNC's actions threaten to plunge our nation into a destructive and divisive conflict if left unchecked. While Biden may be the catalyst for this crisis, the underlying issues that allowed him to rise to power will still remain even if he is defeated. We must address these root causes to prevent history from repeating itself.

These issues begin to alert us as Americans to the tumultuous events that have led us to this critical juncture. At the heart of the matter lies the concept of social trust. Social trust serves as a barometer for the ethical fabric of a community – gauging whether its members and institutions are reliable, true to their word, and committed to the common good. Just as a church crumbles when its congregation loses faith in a higher power, a society falters when its citizens lose trust in one another and in the systems that govern them.

The narrative unfolds the narrative of how America has steadily eroded its foundation of trust over recent years. As the pressures of 2020 mounted, the cracks in American society widened, exposing deeper levels of mistrust. In the face of adversity, we had an opportunity to unite and rebuild trust. Regrettably, we failed to seize it. This failure has left us fractured, estranged, and ensnared in a cycle of distrust.

As moral upheavals ebb, the national consciousness undergoes a profound shift. New norms and values emerge, altering what is revered and scorned. Power dynamics within institutions are redefined. These changes in collective mindset are tumultuous, disrupting the social order and leaving uncertainty in their wake. People are left bewildered, reflecting on the nation's new identity.

The aftermath of the current upheaval reveals glimpses of a transformed world. The most significant changes were in morals and culture. The Baby Boomers came of age in a time of stability, prosperity, and unity. Their rebellion against authority in the late '60s ushered in an era of individualism and liberation that has persisted. This individualism and liberation have caused more trouble for our society than at any other time in our history.

The younger generations today face a world filled with uncertainty and challenges. They have witnessed institutions falter, financial systems crumble, and families struggle to stay together. These children are growing up in a time where the future seems less promising than that of their parents. With the ongoing lies about the pandemic, looming climate change, and the harsh realities of social media, they are navigating a complex and often daunting landscape of not knowing whether a person is a man or a woman has caused serious moral conflict and confusion than ever before.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.