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Moral, Ethical, Philosophical, and Social state of the US in 20 years?

Knowledge=power

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As the title implies, this is a question of where you see the United States morally, ethically, philosophically, and socially (culturally) in 20 years?

Where do you believe we will be - vs - Where do you WANT us to be?

What are you passionate about? What do you hope for the United States to achieve in these realms?

I gave a 20 year period because I believe change happens slowly.

All answers and views will vary depending on personal beliefs, backgrounds, religions, political views, etc., but all are welcome.

I'd like to hear all of your input.
 
Hmmm, difficult question to answer.

I generally don't see much positive coming in the next 20 years, but I'l be on the old end of the spectrum, so I'm not hoping to see great things happening during the end years of my lifetime.

What I would like to see happening is opposite of what I think I see coming. We seem to be moving away from individual responsibility as a way of life, and toward a more collectivist national personna. That doesn't bode well for freedom and liberty.
 
New houses will be more high tech, but beyond that, not that much different. I personally do not believe that the nation as a whole has a common morality, set of ethics, or philosophy in the traditional senses of those words.
 
Hmmm, difficult question to answer.

I generally don't see much positive coming in the next 20 years, but I'l be on the old end of the spectrum, so I'm not hoping to see great things happening during the end years of my lifetime.

What I would like to see happening is opposite of what I think I see coming. We seem to be moving away from individual responsibility as a way of life, and toward a more collectivist national personna. That doesn't bode well for freedom and liberty.

I am in aggreance with you about what I see coming vs what I would like to happen. Technology is a great thing, but it is becoming so advanced that it is interfering with aspects of life which are so rich and essential to human culture. Technology makes it easy to say things or represent things without taking responsibility. It gives the world's governments the ability to invade our privacy, etc.
 
New houses will be more high tech, but beyond that, not that much different. I personally do not believe that the nation as a whole has a common morality, set of ethics, or philosophy in the traditional senses of those words.

What I mean is, some people would view certain issues as needing a more evolved and progressive perspective. Also, some people may think certain issues are being pushed too hard towards the progressive side.

Will same sex marriage be legal in all 50 states?

Will guns be legal?

Will the government become totalitarian?

Will religion have a higher or lesser presence?

Will assisted suicide (euthanasia) be legal?

This is what I mean, to name a few.
 
I see homophobia becoming as stigmatizing as racism is today.

I see the War on Drugs coming to an end or at least Marijuana legalization/medical use in every state.

I see another 1996 and 2000 when gun grabbing politicians rue the day they re-woke the sleeping dragon that are voting 2nd Amendment proponents.

I expect the rise of atheism to continue and the shifting moral zeitgeist of the country to continue to improve and reject ancient hatreds.

I predict Financial Crises and austerity to bring about a generation that lives a more self reliant lifestyle, who reject Keynesian or Socialist policies out of outright knee-jerk prejudice.

And if this fat idiot in North Korea doesn't calm the **** down, I fear a nuclear war that might bring about a generation that abhors war so much any nation that even postures for one risks being wiped off the map by the rest of the world.

I sometimes fear Civil War for the United States, that kind of bloodshed would be unthinkable.
 
I hope this country can embrace ethical (or moral) nihilism and quit feeding the absurdism.
 
What I see every day is even more disheartening - an almost complete lack of courtesy and consideration for others. No "excuse me" or "I'm sorry" or even "May I?"
 
What I mean is, some people would view certain issues as needing a more evolved and progressive perspective. Also, some people may think certain issues are being pushed too hard towards the progressive side.

Will same sex marriage be legal in all 50 states?

No.

Will guns be legal?

Yes.

Will the government become totalitarian?

No. It will be broke and totalitarianism takes money.

Will religion have a higher or lesser presence?

The same.

Will assisted suicide (euthanasia) be legal?

Maybe some places. Medicine is state regulated and then professionally overseen .

This is what I mean, to name a few.


No flying cars in 20 years either damn it.
 
I see homophobia becoming as stigmatizing as racism is today.


I agree. I think eventually the word 'fag' will be worse than the N word... but what will we call it? 'The F word' is taken. I think future generations will look back and wonder how we could have treated people with such blatant discrimination based purely on sexual preference.

I see the War on Drugs coming to an end or at least Marijuana legalization/medical use in every state.

I agree here too. Once the government can monopolize the sale and growth of marijuana (no easy feat), they will sell it like crazy - much like alcohol and tobacco which kill millions.

I see another 1996 and 2000 when gun grabbing politicians rue the day they re-woke the sleeping dragon that are voting 2nd Amendment proponents.

I hope this is the case, however, with the government becoming as shady as it has been lately, I wouldn't rule out an 'executive order' and door to door gun collection, which might result in one of your later points, civil war.

I expect the rise of atheism to continue and the shifting moral zeitgeist of the country to continue to improve and reject ancient hatreds.

And improve government policies, and unify people, and on and on and on. Only good can come of the rise of atheism. It's not spirituality I think is the problem, its organized religion.

I predict Financial Crises and austerity to bring about a generation that lives a more self reliant lifestyle, who reject Keynesian or Socialist policies out of outright knee-jerk prejudice.

In what ways do you mean self reliant? We already are mandated to rely on the government for healthcare, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I would like to be more self-reliant, but it seems like something the government would rather not see. Rejection on a massive scale would be, well, anarchy in the eyes of this regime.

And if this fat idiot in North Korea doesn't calm the **** down, I fear a nuclear war that might bring about a generation that abhors war so much any nation that even postures for one risks being wiped off the map by the rest of the world.

This is something I think about every day. Who will cross the line first...? Then everyone will have their finger on the nuclear trigger.

I sometimes fear Civil War for the United States, that kind of bloodshed would be unthinkable.

I live in the south, and there are a lot of people who absolutely will not give up their guns. If it is mandated to do so and military police are deployed, I fear Civil War would be a rapid outcome.
 
No flying cars in 20 years either damn it.

1. Why do you think same-sex marriage will not be legal?

2. Guns could be legal or illegal, hard to say. Right now is a shaky time for guns.

3. I think they could easily become totalitarian, money or not.

4. So the trend of declining religious presence in the U.S. is just going to stop over the next 20 years?

5. Good point. I support euthanasia though.

6. No jetsons tube to get you around the house either :(
 
In what ways do you mean self reliant? We already are mandated to rely on the government for healthcare, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I would like to be more self-reliant, but it seems like something the government would rather not see. Rejection on a massive scale would be, well, anarchy in the eyes of this regime.

A reduction of energy and water consumption, more geothermal heating and solar power. More homes "prepping," more homes with decent first aid kits, guns for self defense and locally grown food.

So many sport shooters I know have taken to prepping, have a 72-hour bag packed, and have some supply of food/water/water filters. There seems to be something of a prepper movement afoot.

I live in the south, and there are a lot of people who absolutely will not give up their guns. If it is mandated to do so and military police are deployed, I fear Civil War would be a rapid outcome.

I think the gun grabbers know this, which is why they're taking the incrementalist approach. Which is why we shouldn't give them an inch, they'll not compromise any for us so as my words go, "No Truce with the Shadow."
 
A reduction of energy and water consumption, more geothermal heating and solar power. More homes "prepping," more homes with decent first aid kits, guns for self defense and locally grown food.

So many sport shooters I know have taken to prepping, have a 72-hour bag packed, and have some supply of food/water/water filters. There seems to be something of a prepper movement afoot.

I used to think preppers were a little nuts, but now I am starting to see the importance. Our own government, N. Korea, etc.

I think the gun grabbers know this, which is why they're taking the incrementalist approach. Which is why we shouldn't give them an inch, they'll not compromise any for us so as my words go, "No Truce with the Shadow."

Let's not forget that there is also a large population of people who would support banning guns. If put to a vote, even though I think gun advocates would come out on top, I could imagine the current regime falsifying vote results in favor of a ban. First step to tyrannical government is disarming the citizens.
 
1. Why do you think same-sex marriage will not be legal?

It is legal is some places. It will not be legal in all places. What anniversary of Roe V. Wade did we just pass while still fighting that issue? 40th I believe

2. Guns could be legal or illegal, hard to say. Right now is a shaky time for guns.

No it isn't. Women are always the lynch pin and they need their guns to protect them from the screwed up men in their lives that they keep getting with thinking their love will fix them.


3. I think they could easily become totalitarian, money or not.

"They" are you and other civilians. It is a matter of perspective, but kind of hard to have a police state when you can't afford policemen.

4. So the trend of declining religious presence in the U.S. is just going to stop over the next 20 years?

There isn't a decline of religious presence--there is a decline in people going to church. They get their God fix from TV/internet, etc. Have you seen how many people Joel Osteen packs into that stadium and he has like 2 or 3 services? The Hispanic growth will bring more Catholics at least into the US.

5. Good point. I support euthanasia though.


I don't. It is forcing people to do something for you that you are too chicken poop to do yourself.

6. No jetsons tube to get you around the house either :(

No but we might have Rosie the Robot maids so we are getting there.
 
Seems like a long way around the barn to start another thread for the sole purpose of advocating same sex marriage.
 
I used to think preppers were a little nuts, but now I am starting to see the importance. Our own government, N. Korea, etc.

I knew nothing about the subject until that show Doomsday Preppers came out. I too found them nuts, especially those who went all out and bought/built an underground bunker.

Then last year we had power outages for over a week and the supermarkets were empty, especially of bottled water. Not long after Hurrican Sandy hit and I realized we had nothing, no real first aid kit (just bandaids and neosporin) or batteries, and food that wouldn't last (especially without power for the fridge.)

I figured I'd spend a few hundred just getting the things I'd want in such a scenario, it snowballed into my own full blown Level 2 first aid kit thats superior to an army field medic kit, a bugout bag and some food storage & water filters.

Let's not forget that there is also a large population of people who would support banning guns. If put to a vote, even though I think gun advocates would come out on top, I could imagine the current regime falsifying vote results in favor of a ban. First step to tyrannical government is disarming the citizens.

They don't vote nearly as much as 2nd Amendment proponents do, or write their congressmen as much, or rally.
 
Seems like a long way around the barn to start another thread for the sole purpose of advocating same sex marriage.

That was only one of the issues I proposed which could change.
 
What I mean is, some people would view certain issues as needing a more evolved and progressive perspective. Also, some people may think certain issues are being pushed too hard towards the progressive side.

<copied>

This is what I mean, to name a few.
1. Will same sex marriage be legal in all 50 states? Probably but possibly under a different name (i.e., civil unions).

2. Will guns be legal? I don't see that changing anytime soon.

3. Will the government become totalitarian? No, but it may have moved further down the road.

4. Will religion have a higher or lesser presence? Lesser. Slowly but surely America is getting educated.

5. Will assisted suicide (euthanasia) be legal? Maybe. It depends on #4. I'd like to think so.

------------------

6. Marijuana will be legal in more states and the Fed may have taken it off the drug list.

7. The immigration problem will have gotten better.

8. People will be more connected than they are now. I can easily see a computer/communications interface that doesn't interfere too much with physical life.

9. Cars will start being auto-guided in the worst traffic zones - maybe with special lanes like commuters have now.

10. Average MPG will be 35-40 (with the best being over 50, actual instead of theoretical) and Diesel & gasoline will be on their way out with methane (natural gas) & electric taking their place.

11. DC will still be a mess, as usual, and we'll still have a deficit, just not as big (as %GDP) as now. Granny will be poorer.

12. Solar roofs will be common for new housing. Windmills will be common on new buildings. Power buy-back will be standard for most utilities and certainly utilities that serve cities. Local mass storage of power will be making inroads in high-use areas because it's cheaper than rebuilding the existing infrastructure.
 
Twenty years from now would make it 2033. It's more difficult to say what America will be in view of the world shrinking economiclly and socially. Morally, I don't see improvement as education and religious institutions are on the decline. Ethics will be dictated in part due to necessity. We are in the age of instant gratification and this will not go away. Culturally I think we should maintain a fair course as the rise of minorities will fight to maintain "fairness" and justice in this society otherwise their struggle to be a part of a better life will be in vain. Philosophically I can't say as I am not certain what if any our philosophy is as a society. I think we are falling in to a "as told" philosophy meaning we are replacing philosophy with political persuasions and behave more like sheep than in previous decades.
We are in a position of great challenges like water and food in the wolrd and depending on the outcome we may have to undergo some major and unpleasant changes. Wisdom and leadership are of critical importance as decisions now by world leaders impact the entire world like never before. Look for example, the nut case in North Korea and how calmly we are taking the possibilty of a nuclear incident. We have become perhaps too complacent.
 
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