Chuck Todd: The next great reform movement is poised to begin now
The last time the United States had three one-term presidents in a row, the calendar year began with an “18.”
The last time the United States had three one-term presidents in a row, the calendar year began with an “18.”
Between Ulysses Grant and William McKinley, America actually had five straight one-term presidencies, including the two nonconsecutive terms of Grover Cleveland.
All of the elections in that period were quite close, and all were essentially about which party could bring the country together and move it forward after the Civil War. And while the divisive issues of that time were different from the divisive issues of this era, the mood and frustration of the country in the late 1800s seem to rhyme with the mood and frustration of the early 2000s.
For instance, the issue of wealth inequality — or simply, the idea that the system is rigged for the wealthy — was a belief back then (think Gilded Age), and it’s certainly a mainstream belief today. There's a strong argument that we are in a new Gilded Age now, with the enormous wealth being accumulated and created in this period of tech-driven transformation. The gap between the rich and poor has never seemed more vast.
Ultimately, though, that period of political instability and frustration triggered a movement to reform the country’s political system. With the turn of the century came what is now known as the Progressive Era. In a 30-year span, the public demanded more from its government, including things we take for granted today, such as guaranteeing food safety and worker safety. This was when urban areas instituted regular trash pickup, which was then seen as a public health issue. The modern day environmental movement also took hold then, with a focus on preservation and conservation, as well as basic beautification efforts, including building parks and other shared spaces.
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