Is it: “Americans Are Officially Freaking Out Almost two-thirds say this is the lowest point in U.S. history—and it’s keeping a lot of them up at night,” claims Bloomberg headline this week.
The 1800s were a
a far lower point in US history than today. We live far more materially comfortable lives today--even most (not all) of the poor. But like the rich there is no "equality" among the American poor. Some live in absolute poverty and others live what amounts material lifestyles that would be "middle-class" in countries like India or the Philippines. If one of the poor in India or the Philippines took over the 1 bedroom rental unit I have they would think they were in luxury. Real talk. And I'm officially one of the American poor (you might not know it most of the time because I dress in such away--combined with socially acceptable grooming, and perfumed with aftershave or cologne or both--that one might assume I'm middle-class). My material life (emphasis:
material) has nothing in common with the poor living homeless on the streets or as filthy horders in a rooming house or in roach infested single home rental.
A lot of these people lack gratitude. They also are so distant from the violence, broken spirits, rage, frequent sense of danger in the "hoods" of America that they have
zero comprehension one of the greatest threats to the United States is the liberal and conservative snobs leaving millions to spiritually decay in the ghettos.
These Americans may well one day--or their grandchildren--pay visit to your granddaughters. Kind of a "butterfly effect"
sort of. But 1, 2, 3, 7 or more of them may visit your grand daughter doing professionally and materially well (and emotionally well), with violence upon her. And there moral frame work will be such they believe they are acting, thinking, and feeling morally correct. That your granddaughter may well be the immoral one. So, they may send you an ear or toe of hers in the mail.
The 1880s in the USA was a lower point in the US history than today, however, in some ways it was probably a more free society (post slavery) for those that are libertarians.
Personally, I'd "open" American cities back up, but in conjunction city government promoting the institutional role of the NGO's that are Christian Churches. Christian Churches have historically played a crucial role in the private lives of Americans in building their senses of right and wrong, or even for converting from past wicked ways.
https://shepherdexpress.com/arts-and-entertainment/ae-feature/madam-milwaukee-made-famous/
Perhaps no fringe character of Milwaukee’s history is as well known or as misunderstood as Katherine B. “Kittie” Williams, the so-called “grand Madame” of the city’s old red light district. Williams garners mention in most city histories and a representation of her brothel... By 1882, Williams had purchased a pair of unassuming three-story buildings on the present-day site of Red Arrow Park. There, she established herself as the proprietor of Milwaukee’s finest “sporting house.” In 1889, The Sporting and Club House Guide to Milwaukee gushed about her establishment—“the finest of the kind in the city”—writing that her side-by-side homes were “two splendid instruments, and with very talented professors, one can always enjoy the music.”
As for her celebrated “professors,” she usually had between eight and 12 women working in her house. Young women wrote to her from across the country, hoping to secure work. But in these women, a sad angle to the life emerges. Williams spoke of her girls in a motherly tone...Kittie Williams died in 1943. The notices of her death proclaimed her the “Queen” of the old vice district and a nightlife “legend.”