These Are the Good Times

0 Comments | Insight on the News, May 21, 2001 | by Stephanie K. Taylor

Spring has sprung all over the Northern Hemisphere and, in this early summer of optimism,for the people would like to bring you some optimistic news (with a couple of caveats) to counter all that pessimistic grist the TV news folks grind on daily. Indeed, authors Stephen Moore and the late Julian L. Simon in their new book, It's Getting Better All the Time, name about 100 trends in the 20th century to prove their point. A few of these trends may particularly strike the fancy of readers of for the people. Consider:

* We have more toys. In 1921, Americans spent $2 billion (in 1998 dollars) on toys and sports equipment. That compares with the $45 billion we spend on the stuff with which we now play.

* We eat more. In 1900, the average American consumed about two pounds of ice cream per person per year. Now, the average American delights in 30 pounds of ice cream per capita per year. But one caveat: Since we eat more, obesity is a problem. How could it not be with sugar consumption up for the average American by 50 percent since 1900?

* We smell better, too, at least in the colder months. A mere three in 10 Americans took a bath or shower every day in the winter of 1950. Now three of four Americans shower daily during the frosty months.

* We live longer, and at least some of us work less. At the turn of the century the average life expectancy was 47 years. Today it is 77. In 1900, the average workweek was 60 hours. Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the average workweek is between 34 and 35 hours.

* More of us can read, if we want to. About 20 percent of all Americans were illiterate in the late 19th century. By 1950 the illiteracy rate had dropped below 10 percent and continued to decline slightly. A caveat here, too: Whether because of increased immigration or declining schools, the illiteracy rate in the United States has begun to increase in recent years.

* And here is further proof, as if it were needed, that freedom is better than tyranny. During the last 30 years, the freest nations have very much tended to experience the fastest economic growth among the nations of the world. Furthermore, life expectancies are 21 years longer for those born in free nations than for those born in countries under totalitarian rule or dictatorships of any kind.