IMO, our society has become more tolerant and just since Reagan.

Edit- therefore our government should begin following that curve upward towards more progress.

Peter Turchin applies statistics to various historical variables, in a new field called cliodynamics, to better understand the rise and fall of societies and empires. He never liked the fact that historians had a knack for conjectures -- i.e., creating over 200 "explanations" for the fall of the Roman Empire -- but less knack for putting them to the test in a mathematical, scientific way.

The rise of cooperation and empires? That's apparently due to external threats and wars more than anything else... assuming that the conflicts are won!

The cause for internal collapse? Inequality of resources between the wealthy and everyone else.

Income/wealth inequality has increased dramatically for many Americans since the Reagan years!

I've been saying for years and years that deprivation usually isn't the cause of revolution, it's inequality. If everyone is seen to be pulling on the same oar, suffering the same lack of resources, or what have you, people will tolerate a LOT.

They were in their 40's when I was born, but they talked about the experience to me (and my older siblings).

Mom said that she was lucky to have a single potato and a small amount of milk for the entire day sometimes. Despite that, they were aware that many others were also struggling and that made it easier to cope with it. They also had a feeling of hope, especially after FDR was elected.