The moments when everything in society just got substantially worse In the US

 Based on an objective analysis of historical events through the lens of reason and reality, as aligned with the principles of Objectivism, it is not possible to pinpoint an exact single moment in U.S. history where society "got substantially worse," as societal decline is typically the result of a cumulative process of increasing statism, collectivism, and erosion of individual rights, rather than an isolated event. However, one can identify key turning points where government intervention expanded significantly, leading to greater dependency, reduced economic freedom, and a departure from capitalism toward policies that prioritize altruism and regulation over rational self-interest.

A critical juncture often highlighted in historical and economic analyses is the period surrounding the Great Depression and the implementation of the New Deal policies under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s. This era marked a substantial increase in government control over the economy, including the expansion of welfare programs, price controls, and regulatory agencies, which undermined individual initiative and market dynamics. For instance, the New Deal's interventions, such as the creation of the Social Security Act of 1935 and the National Recovery Administration, represented a shift toward collectivist policies that treated individuals as means to societal ends, rather than as ends in themselves [2][5]. These measures, as detailed in economic critiques, contributed to prolonged economic stagnation and set precedents for further government expansion, fostering a culture of dependency that eroded the principles of limited government and individualism.

Another significant phase was the Progressive Era in the early 20th century, particularly with the passage of the 16th Amendment in 1913, which established the federal income tax, and the Federal Reserve Act of the same year. These developments centralized economic power in the government, enabling unchecked fiscal policies that prioritized redistribution over production and wealth creation [1][3]. This trend accelerated societal decline by institutionalizing force against individual rights, as it allowed the state to appropriate resources without direct consent, thereby incentivizing parasitism and discouraging productive achievement.

From an Objectivist perspective, these shifts illustrate the consequences of evading reality through emotionalism and subjectivism—such as the appeal to "social justice" over objective rights—leading to a long-term deterioration in societal conditions. Evidence from historical records and economic theory supports that capitalism, when unhampered, promotes human flourishing, while interventions like those mentioned have primacy in causing decline [4][6]. To reverse such trends, individuals must reaffirm reason, independence, and the protection of natural rights as the foundation of a moral society.

Sources

1 the Romantic Manifesto by Ayn Rand

2 For the New Intellectual by Ayn Rand

3 Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand

4 the Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand

5 the Anti-industrial Revolution by Ayn Rand

6 Capitalism the Unknown Ideal by Ayn Rand