U.S. in 1955: 'Nobody is mad with nobody' - CNN.com

"Embroiled in no war, impeded by no major strikes, blessed by almost full employment, the U.S. was delighted with itself and almost nobody was mad"

This article doesn't really mean to bring a tear to your eye, but it may do just that. It's just a summary of Life Magazine's central thesis on July 4, 1955.

The key questions, #1: "How much of this may have been an illusion? What portion of Life's snapshot of the United States in that summer 55 years ago may have been a willful fantasy, a purposely comforting dream?"

The key questions, #2: If the lack of animosity was an illusion and was merely being sold as a commodity in 1955, is it possible that ubiquitous animosity is being similarly marketed in 2010?

The key questions, #3: If there is any truth to 1955's widely reported contentment or 2010's widely reported malaise, how much of today's malaise is the cause of the reporting, and how much might simply be its effect?