What was/is the most prosperous period in American history?

[Yollam]

In terms of the BROADEST number of people being able to enjoy the BEST standard of living and job security WITHOUT excessive personal or government indebtedness, what was/is the most prosperous period in American history?

[electropop]

1. We had civil rights, great modern gadgets, and the internet.

In addition to financial prosperity, the fairness (at least racially) and the market of what you could buy made 1996-2000 better than 1950-1963.

[ixion]

3. yeah, it's really too bad Greenspan sank the dot com boom

the slogan for awhile was a 'millionaire in every house'. Now it's "would you like more freedom fries with that?" :-(

[rfranklin]

2. The average American benefited nicely from WWII during 50s-60s...

And it was the anomally of American history. During the 90's some people did well but not on the same scale as the 60s and not for as long.

[Selatius]

4. To be fair, the 1950s and the 1990s have some black marks

With the 1950s, the obvious is the lack of economic opportunities afforded to minorities. With the 1990s, it was the stagnation of wages with respect to cost of living, while the incomes of those at the top grew extravagantly.

I'd say there is a tie, but I'm not sure I'm right in judging, since I'd be weighing the lives of oppressed people with the mere observation of cash flow throughout an economy.

[Iowa]

5. Interesting that most are going with '50-'63...

I can recall the period. Just considering the average home in those days:

--maybe one B&W TV that cost 3 month's salary
--no air conditioning - maybe one fan
--one car per family
--one table-top radio
--one bathroom, possibly with a tub and no shower
--no computer/internet/cable TV
--no health insurance (probably because Drs. couldn't do much for you)
--Almost unheard of to retire before 65 (and probably drop dead at 66)
--crappy TV shows compared to today (from a fan of Alias, The Shield, Boston Legal...)

So I'd say the '96-'00 period beats it - although at a cost of needing two people working to support a family - which is a big cost. But if you just look at how people live (based on what they have) I'd say 96-00 was better. I wouldn't want to go back.

EDITED TO ADD: Who picked pre-1939? I'd be interested in hearing the rationale.

[RebelOne]

6. For me, the years of 1980-1987 were the most prosperous.

I had a great job and did quite a bit of free-lance work. I was able to travel to Europe twice during that time and could afford to buy a Cadillac. But then things changed in 1989. I was laid off my job and I moved from South Florida to Georgia. I do have a great job here, but can't afford any more Cadillacs or vacations in Europe. I am now driving a Ford and can only afford to vacation in Tennessee or Florida.

[Joey Liberal]

7. I couldn't votr for 1950 t0 1963 because

The economy many have been great, but blacks in the south sure didn't get to take part.......

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Prosperous on a GNP level or properous overall for several levels

socioeconomic groups ranging from the wealthy down to the lower middle class? It depends who's getting the benefit of prosperity, e.g., decent paying jobs, the percentage of citizens owning their own homes, being able to keep ahead of their bills, being able to send their kids to college, being able to put "something" away for retirement, the middle class lifestyle dream, etc.