The Helios Biblios Hour (book of the SUN) : America 1956 vs America 2016

Is America a better place today than it was back in 1956?  Of course many Americans living right now couldn’t even imagine a world without cell phones, Facebook or cable television, but was life really so bad back then?  60 years ago, families would actually spend time on their front porches and people would actually have dinner with their neighbors.  60 years ago, cars were still cars, football was still football and it still meant something to be an American.  In our country today, it is considered odd to greet someone as they are walking down the street, and if someone tries to be helpful it is usually because they want something from you.  But things were very different in the middle of the last century.  Men aspired to be gentlemen and women aspired to be ladies, and nobody had ever heard of  “bling”, “sexting” or “twerking”. 

In 1956, John Wayne,Sidney Poitier, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe and Dorothy Dandridge were some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world.In 2016, our young people look up to “stars” like Miley Cyrus, young thug and Lady Gaga.

In 1956, you could buy a first-class stamp for just 3 cents.

In 2016, a first-class stamp will cost you 49 cents.

In 1956, gum chewing and talking in class were some of the major disciplinary problems in our schools.

In 2016, many of our public schools have been equipped with metal detectors because violence has gotten so far out of control.

In 1956, about 5% of all babies in America were born to unmarried parents.

In 2016, more than 40% of all babies in America will be born to unmarried parents.

In 1956, the American people had a great love for the U.S. Constitution.

In 2016, “constitutionalists” are considered to be potential terrorists by the U.S. government.