1. Which version of America would you rather live in?

2.  Many fondly remember the 1950s and the 1960s as the "golden age" of America (especially if you were a white male). U.S. emerged from World War II as the wealthiest and most powerful nation on the planet Most of the rest of the world deeply admired the U.S. and wanted to be more like Americans.

3.  Of course there were a lot of things that were not great about America back in 1950, and there are many things that many of us dearly love that we would have to give up in order to go back and live during that time. For example, there was no Internet back in 1950.

4.  America 1950 vs. America 2014 - you make the call....

5.  In 1950, a gallon of gasoline cost about 27 cents.  In 2014, a gallon of gasoline costs $3.69.

6.  In 1950, the average duration of unemployment was about 12 weeks.  In 2014, the average duration of unemployment is about 40 weeks.

7.  In 1950, the average family spent about 22% of its income on housing.  In 2014, the average family spends about 43% of its income on housing.

8.  In 1950, gum chewing and talking in class were some of the major disciplinary problems in schools.  In 2014, many of the public schools have been equipped with metal detectors because violence has become so bad.

9.  In 1950, the United States was #1 in GDP per capita.  In 2014, the United States is #13 in GDP per capita.

10.  In 1950, about 13 million Americans had manufacturing jobs.  In 2014, less than 12 million Americans have manufacturing jobs even though our population has more than doubled since 1950.

11.  In 1950, corporate taxes accounted for about 30% of all federal revenue.  In 2014, corporate taxes will account for less than 7% of all federal revenue.

12.  In 1950, the median age at first marriage was about 22 for men and about 20 for women.  In 2014, the median age at first marriage is about 28 for men and about 26 for women.

13.  In 1950, many Americans regularly left their cars and the front doors of their homes unlocked.  In 2014, many Americans live with steel bars on their windows and gun sales are at record highs.

14.  In 1950, the United States loaned more money to the rest of the world than anybody else.  In 2014, the United States owes more money to the rest of the world than anybody else.

15.  In 1950, the U.S. national debt was about 257 billion dollars.  In 2014, the U.S. national debt is over 60 times larger. It is currently sitting at a grand total of $17,519,572,349,322.29. (as of 8:02 pm this morning)

16.  Americans today have a higher standard of living than Americans in 1950 did, but they are also drowning in an ocean of debt unlike anything the world has ever seen.

17.  Americans are more independent, less religious, more addicted to sports and entertainment and more doped up on prescription drugs than Americans used to be.

18.  So is America 2014 a better version than America 1950 was?

19.  Complete the American Jobs – Then & Now worksheet posted on the website