Great Society....

The Great Society was a set of programs that addressed the domestic and infrastructure problems in the United States during the 1960's. Enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Great Society focused on eliminating poverty and racial injustice. The social reforms were in part, ideas taken from the late John F. Kennedy domestic agenda. The Great Society closely resembles the New Deal, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt's lead measure pulling the U.S. out of the Great Depression.

To improve some of the economic and social conditions, some major programs were introduced, many of which still exist today. Among the Civil Rights category: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 disallowed any job discrimination and the segregation of public accommodations. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensured minority voting rights and registration. Public health was also an issue of concern. Even today we may not have free health care provided by the government to everyone, but the government has Medicaid and Medicare to provide health care for individuals on welfare and elderly. Other constituted acts included in the Great Society reforms help decrease poverty, improve education, transportation, environment, and national endowments for the arts and humanities.

For reasons like the Great Society reforms, it is whats make the U.S. such a valued place to live. Almost fifty years later, we must consider taking these reforms to an even higher level.