Pestilence, Famine, War, and Death are the couriers that we envision when doom arrives in the form of an apocalypse. An apocalypse can be experienced on a grand scale where the entire world community is aware and experiences disasters of great proportions, such as a natural disaster or hand-made ones like war. An apocalypse cannot be considered of lesser significance or life altering if it is experienced by one person whose life has been inverted in the most devastating manners. I think of Bob Dylan's "The Ballad of Hollis Brown" in which a poor man watches his family slowly starve to death, work is not attainable, his home is decrepit, his resources are rotting or infested with rats, there is no indication that he blames anyone and life as he knows it is natures cruel gears and unforgiving system. Were it not for his desperate bullets he would have had to endure a "living hell" with only death as a merciful end...
An apocalypse of sorts was felt world wide but specifically in the United States during the roaring twenties in the form of the Great Depression, this was one of numerous apocalyptic events of that era. Financial losses were felt especially harder on the working class. Many unemployed and homeless with no "bail out" in sight. Films like The Panic Is On: The Great Depression only briefly depicts a resurrection of hopes and financial stability by turning to the government. Optimism is felt and relief of such enthusiasm is greatly appreciated and needed by people. The film works wonders as it re-inspires the US.
FDR's NRA further invigorates the broken spirit of the American people. Socialist-like programs become accepted, passed and successfully employed. Medicare, Social security, Welfare, Tax subsidies to Corps, to Individuals, to farmers etc., Public schools/Universities, Community Colleges to name but a few. With a Federal budget deficit as gargantuan as is. It seems "unhealthy" for our nation to rid of such programs despite their "red" taint.
On the other hand, it can be disputed that the implementation of social programs has done slim to nil to actually change the economic standards and climate of many dependent individuals, much like our endless war on drugs. Peace.
An apocalypse of sorts was felt world wide but specifically in the United States during the roaring twenties in the form of the Great Depression, this was one of numerous apocalyptic events of that era. Financial losses were felt especially harder on the working class. Many unemployed and homeless with no "bail out" in sight. Films like The Panic Is On: The Great Depression only briefly depicts a resurrection of hopes and financial stability by turning to the government. Optimism is felt and relief of such enthusiasm is greatly appreciated and needed by people. The film works wonders as it re-inspires the US.
FDR's NRA further invigorates the broken spirit of the American people. Socialist-like programs become accepted, passed and successfully employed. Medicare, Social security, Welfare, Tax subsidies to Corps, to Individuals, to farmers etc., Public schools/Universities, Community Colleges to name but a few. With a Federal budget deficit as gargantuan as is. It seems "unhealthy" for our nation to rid of such programs despite their "red" taint.
On the other hand, it can be disputed that the implementation of social programs has done slim to nil to actually change the economic standards and climate of many dependent individuals, much like our endless war on drugs. Peace.
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