Danielle Baldino
Christino
US History
29 April 2003
The '70s: Then & Now
"..[The 70's] were very confusing for a child, mostly because of the war and Watergate. You don't know what to believe, what to listen to..." Doesn't this statement seem strikingly familiar to how many of people feel today? War and corruption in politics are all too prominent in current day society. Nixon was lucky to have such an understanding and enduring people during his administration, especially throughout the drastic rise in oil prices, the Vietnam war, Watergate, and other miscellaneous obstacles overcome by America in this time period, many of which are very similar to present day situations.
The OPEC Oil Crisis of 1973 began when OPEC decided to decrease the amount of oil being given to industrial nations, as well as increase the price of oil. Everyone felt the impact of this decision. When asked if his home life changed at all during the crisis, Michael Baldino replied, "Yes! My father used to throw a fit whenever he needed gas, because you could only get it on every other day (depending on your license number)." A modern-day situation that we can relate to would be the ever-rising gas prices all over the country. The current highest price of gas (per gallon) in the US is a staggering $2.39. In 1973, prices jumped from $.30/gallon to about $.80/gallon (www.sailpix.com). People were moaning and groaning over gas prices back then, and still are today.
The Vietnam War was the most controversial war in American history. Until the current war in Iraq, perhaps. We fought in Vietnam to free the people of a disturbing dictatorship, and to prevent the spread of communism. Deja vou, anyone? We are fighting in Iraq to liberate citizens from Saddam Hussein's rule, and to rebuild their country. Both wars had/have extremely fanatical protestors, and people are fearing re-instatement of the draft. And in the early 70s, young teens feared the draft as well; "I hoped the war would end before I was old enough to be drafted. My mother always swore she'd send me to Canada to live with her family if I was called to war (Baldino)." War and drafting continue to be very unpopular with the American people, and probably always will.
Watergate seems to be what was the onset of many political corruptions to come. Nixon hired five men to break into, and bug, the offices of the Democratic National Committee (www.washingtonpost.com). Greed and dishonesty, in politics? Who'd have thought? Today, there is an unsettling, overwhelming number of cases in government; local and national. Bill Clinton lying underoath, people being paid off under Governor John Rowland's administration, and Ex-Mayor Philip Giordano are all prime examples of un-trustworthy, deceitful acts in our government. According to poll director Douglas Schwartz, "Governor Rowland's ratings are among the worst numbers for an elected official ever measured in 10 years of Quinnipiac University polls. (www.connpost.com)." Lying, scandal, and greed, unfortunately, are and have been huge parts of American government.
Other events that took place in the 70s can be compared to modern-day ones, such as the Blizzard of '78, and advancements in computer technology.
