|
|
Post by chances on Mar 15, 2022 14:05:22 GMT
Hi All,
This isn't meant to be a way to dismiss the horrible things going on now and in the past, but more a sociological curiosity. We have a variety of ages and places, so I'm curious. What is one of the best things you believe the U.S. government has done in the past or is currently doing? I'm thinking federal actions either domestically or internationally.
Thanks for your thoughts.
|
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Mar 15, 2022 14:12:46 GMT
Help the world to stop Hitler. Since I'm reading a WWII novel right now that was the first thing in my mind, especially watching while Putin in action.  |
|
peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
|
Post by peabay on Mar 15, 2022 14:48:43 GMT
The best thing? Overall? Ever? The Constitution.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 9:23:55 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2022 14:50:52 GMT
Voted out Trump.
|
|
Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,015 
|
Post by Sarah*H on Mar 15, 2022 14:51:17 GMT
Rural electrification
The national park system
Social security
|
|
|
|
Post by zima on Mar 15, 2022 14:54:00 GMT
Social security act. Civil rights act. Voting rights act. ARPANET which paved the way for the Internet.
NSF
EPA
CDC
FBI
Brown v. Board of Ed - non--white people have a right to the same education in the same place as their white classmates
Obergefell v Hodges - LGBTQ people have the same right to marriage as their heterosexual neighbors
Social security act (yeah, again, it means that much to reducing poverty among the aged. " Social Security Lifts More Americans Above Poverty Than Any Other Program" ) |
|
|
|
Post by chances on Mar 15, 2022 15:11:41 GMT
Help the world to stop Hitler. Since I'm reading a WWII novel right now that was the first thing in my mind, especially watching while Putin in action. As I was thinking, I kept returning to WWII events as well. That's partly why I asked because I hoped people would think about different time periods. |
|
|
|
Post by chances on Mar 15, 2022 15:13:53 GMT
Social security act. Civil rights act. Voting rights act. ARPANET which paved the way for the Internet.
NSF
EPA
CDC
FBI
Brown v. Board of Ed - non--white people have a right to the same education in the same place as their white classmates
Obergefell v Hodges - LGBTQ people have the same right to marriage as their heterosexual neighbors
Social security act (yeah, again, it means that much to reducing poverty among the aged. " Social Security Lifts More Americans Above Poverty Than Any Other Program" ) Thanks for the list and the link! I'm excited to read the article. Just curious, what made you think of the FBI? Most of my mental associations with them are about infiltrating progressive social movements. |
|
casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517
|
Post by casii on Mar 15, 2022 15:25:41 GMT
Social security act. Civil rights act. Voting rights act. ARPANET which paved the way for the Internet.
NSF
EPA
CDC
FBI
Brown v. Board of Ed - non--white people have a right to the same education in the same place as their white classmates
Obergefell v Hodges - LGBTQ people have the same right to marriage as their heterosexual neighbors
Social security act (yeah, again, it means that much to reducing poverty among the aged. " Social Security Lifts More Americans Above Poverty Than Any Other Program" ) Loving v. Virginia WPA to add to those. |
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on Mar 15, 2022 15:40:55 GMT
FDA- and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (1938). I second the National Parks System.
|
|
|
|
Post by zima on Mar 15, 2022 15:48:06 GMT
Most of my mental associations with them are about infiltrating progressive social movements. They definitely have had some HORRIBLE times - like under Hoover. But they brought down NY organized crime families, they pursue "white collar" crime, they infiltrate dangerous organizations who seek to destabilize/terrorize our citizens, they work to enforce federal laws that keep our country safe from backsliding into tyranny. I have great respect for them and what they're supposed to do - especially under GOOD leadership. |
|
|
|
Post by ~summer~ on Mar 15, 2022 15:58:34 GMT
Everything mentioned here plus we created the National Park system.
|
|
oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,062
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
|
Post by oh yvonne on Mar 15, 2022 16:12:35 GMT
The Peace Corps
|
|
twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,087
|
Post by twinsmomfla99 on Mar 15, 2022 16:24:33 GMT
PL 94-142, the law that basically ensured a due process for special education students and a “free and appropriate education” to students who had been treated as invisible before that time.
|
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Mar 15, 2022 17:02:03 GMT
Lol... since I was in the Peace Corps I should have thought of that one myself.  |
|
peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
|
Post by peabay on Mar 15, 2022 17:02:36 GMT
Most of my mental associations with them are about infiltrating progressive social movements. They definitely have had some HORRIBLE times - like under Hoover. But they brought down NY organized crime families, they pursue "white collar" crime, they infiltrate dangerous organizations who seek to destabilize/terrorize our citizens, they work to enforce federal laws that keep our country safe from backsliding into tyranny. I have great respect for them and what they're supposed to do - especially under GOOD leadership. I'm glad you said that - my uncle was an FBI agent for his entire adult life. He was the most honorable man I ever knew and spent his time in the FBI bringing down corrupt politicians. |
|
|
|
Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 15, 2022 17:32:25 GMT
I'm glad you said that - my uncle was an FBI agent for his entire adult life. He was the most honorable man I ever knew and spent his time in the FBI bringing down corrupt politicians. Growing up, my family always thought my cousin's husband was in the Secret Service. It wasn't until a few years ago that we found out he was CIA and that my cousin was CIA too! Like your uncle, they were salt-of-the-earth good people.  I too, think the Constitution is among the best things. |
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Mar 15, 2022 17:35:31 GMT
Founded a non-monarchical government.
I will not go so far as to say "the Constitution," because the desire to concentrate power in the hands of property-owning white men is the thing killing us right now, and it is a feature, not a bug.
|
|
tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
|
Post by tincin on Mar 15, 2022 18:07:38 GMT
OSHA
|
|
maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
|
Post by maryannscraps on Mar 15, 2022 18:15:40 GMT
Another big fan of the National Parks system
Science research that has changed the world: the Human Genome Project, NASA, GPS and Doppler radar, vaccines (the list goes on and on)
|
|
casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517
|
Post by casii on Mar 15, 2022 19:03:51 GMT
Just thought of Title IX (which must've been a 'finally' for many).
|
|
lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,296
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Member is Online
|
Post by lesley on Mar 15, 2022 21:01:07 GMT
Another big fan of the National Parks system Science research that has changed the world: the Human Genome Project, NASA, GPS and Doppler radar, vaccines (the list goes on and on) The Human Genome Project was actually an international research effort, not just an American one. |
|
|
|
Post by ~summer~ on Mar 15, 2022 21:21:10 GMT
Free lunch program.
I don’t know if it’s completely accurate but I’ve read multiple places that it was the black panther party that started the first free breakfast program here in Oakland. They of course had a storied relationship with the fbi.
|
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Mar 15, 2022 21:24:40 GMT
Quite a few good things came out of the LBJ administration. The Civil Rights Act has already been mentioned, but also: - Voting Rights Act
- Immigration and Nationality Act (abolished the quota system based on national origin and created preference system based on skills and family relationships with US citizens)
- Economic Opportunity Act (led to Job Corp & Head Start programs, etc.)
- Social Security Act amendments to create Medicare and Medicaid
- National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for Humanities
- Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act
|
|
maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
|
Post by maryannscraps on Mar 15, 2022 21:51:52 GMT
Another big fan of the National Parks system Science research that has changed the world: the Human Genome Project, NASA, GPS and Doppler radar, vaccines (the list goes on and on) The Human Genome Project was actually an international research effort, not just an American one. Absolutely. It’s something that I’m very proud the US participated in. I’m glad to see my federal tax money supporting scientific and technical research. |
|
