--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The prevailing quality of life in America…" description: "\"“The prevailing quality of life in America -- by any accepted methods of measuring -- was unarguably freer and more politically open under Nixon than i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/hunter-s-thompson-278_bush_the-prevailing-quality-of-life-in-americ_232992.jpg" --- # The prevailing quality of life in America -- by any… ![“The prevailing quality of life in America -- by any accepted methods of measuring -- was unarguably freer and more politically open under Nixon than it is today in this evil year of Our Lord 2002.” quote by Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/hunter-s-thompson-278_bush_the-prevailing-quality-of-life-in-americ_232992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/hunter-s-thompson-278_bush_the-prevailing-quality-of-life-in-americ_232992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/hunter-s-thompson-278_bush_the-prevailing-quality-of-life-in-americ_232992.jpg) > ““The prevailing quality of life in America -- by any accepted methods of measuring -- was unarguably freer and more politically open under Nixon than it is today in this evil year of Our Lord 2002.”” [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that, despite modern issues, America was freer and more open politically under Nixon than in 2002, critiquing contemporary decline. **In simple terms:** America was freer under Nixon than now. Key Takeaway Recognize and address societal regression. Themes politics freedom historical comparison Mood critical analytical Type political historical When to use this quote - policy analysis - civic activism - education curricula Key Concepts democracy civil liberties media bias Questions to Reflect On - What factors truly measure freedom? - How can we improve political openness today? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex historical contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Quality of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [I think American interests are served when there are sections of the world that have representative governments, politically open economic systems, and are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-c-blair/i-think-american-interests-are-served-when-there-are-sections-of-the/) [Dennis C. Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-c-blair/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“If the right people had been in charge of Nixon's funeral, his casket would have been launched into one of those open-sewage canals that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/if-the-right-people-had-been-in-charge-of-nixon-s-funeral-his-casket/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Richard Nixon has never been one of my favorite people anyway. For years I've regarded his existence as a monument to all the rancid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/richard-nixon-has-never-been-one-of-my-favorite-people-anyway-for-2/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [I miss Nixon. Compared to these Nazis we have in the White House now, Richard Nixon was a flaming liberal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-miss-nixon-compared-to-these-nazis-we-have-in-the-white-house-now/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Richard Nixon was an evil man - evil in a way that only those who believe in the physical reality of the Devil can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/richard-nixon-was-an-evil-man-evil-in-a-way-that-only-those-who/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Nixon had the unique ability to make his enemies seem honorable, and we developed a keen sense of fraternity. Some of my best friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/nixon-had-the-unique-ability-to-make-his-enemies-seem-honorable-and/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Richard Nixon was a criminally insane Monster - Bill Clinton is a black-hearted Swine of a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/richard-nixon-was-a-criminally-insane-monster-bill-clinton-is-a-black/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Nixon was a bad loser. He hated losing worse than death, and that is why I enjoyed him. We were both football fans, both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/nixon-was-a-bad-loser-he-hated-losing-worse-than-death-and-that-is/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Nixon represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character almost every other country in the world has learned to fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/nixon-represents-that-dark-venal-and-incurably-violent-side-of-the/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [George McGovern, for all his mistakes... understands what a fantastic monument to all the best instincts of the human race this country might have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/george-mcgovern-for-all-his-mistakes-understands-what-a-fantastic/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“Richard Nixon has never been one of my favorite people, anyway. For years I've regarded his very existence as a monument to all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/richard-nixon-has-never-been-one-of-my-favorite-people-anyway-for/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [The trouble with Nixon is that he's a serious politics junkie. He's totally hooked ... and like any other junkie, he'sa bummer to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-trouble-with-nixon-is-that-he-s-a-serious-politics-junkie-he-s/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [ I'd almost prefer \[Richard\] Nixon. I'd say \[Bill\] Clinton is every bit as corrupt as Nixon, but a lot smoother. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-d-almost-prefer-richard-nixon-i-d-say-bill-clinton-is-every-bit-as/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Nixon was no more a saint than he was a great president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/nixon-was-no-more-a-saint-than-he-was-a-great-president/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More by Hunter S. Thompson > [“There was also the fact that sending a penniless writer to get $135 worth of beer was — as Khrushchev said of Nixon —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-was-also-the-fact-that-sending-a-penniless-writer-to-get-135/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“Cases of champagne and scotch lay broken in the street, and everyone I saw had a bottle. They were screaming and dancing, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/cases-of-champagne-and-scotch-lay-broken-in-the-street-and-everyone-i/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No music + Bad TV = Bad mood & no pages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-music-bad-tv-bad-mood-no-pages/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No one holds command over me. No man. No god. No Prince. What is a claim of age for ones who are immortal? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-one-holds-command-over-me-no-man-no-god-no-prince-what-is-a-claim/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb grey hairs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-person-who-doesn-t-scatter-the-morning-dew-will-not-comb-grey/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Hope rises and dreams flicker and die. Love plans for tomorrow and loneliness thinks of yesterday. Life is beautiful and living is pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/hope-rises-and-dreams-flicker-and-die-love-plans-for-tomorrow-and/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [If we get chased out of Iraq with our tail between our legs, that will be the fifth consecutive Third-world country with no hint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/if-we-get-chased-out-of-iraq-with-our-tail-between-our-legs-that-will/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [At age 22 I set what I insist is an all-time record for distance hitchhiking in Bermuda shorts: 3,700 miles in three weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/at-age-22-i-set-what-i-insist-is-an-all-time-record-for-distance/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Paranoia is just another mask for ignorance. The truth, when you finally chase it down is almost always far worse than your darkest visions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/paranoia-is-just-another-mask-for-ignorance-the-truth-when-you/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“No doubt they all Got What Was Coming To Them. All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-doubt-they-all-got-what-was-coming-to-them-all-those-pathetically/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“For several months they'd been drifting toward political involvement, but the picture was hazy and one of the most confusing elements was their geographical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/for-several-months-they-d-been-drifting-toward-political-involvement/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [He wandered into the Newsroom and asked for a job the same way he’d walk into a barbershop and ask for a haircut, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/he-wandered-into-the-newsroom-and-asked-for-a-job-the-same-way-he-d/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There's no point in getting into politics at all unless you plan to lash things around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-no-point-in-getting-into-politics-at-all-unless-you-plan-to/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There’s a lot of things wrong with this country, but one of the few things still right with it is that a man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-a-lot-of-things-wrong-with-this-country-but-one-of-the-few/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) [Explore all 765 Hunter S. Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More Bush quotes > [President Bush is a friend of mine. He's not a moron at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-chretien/president-bush-is-a-friend-of-mine-he-s-not-a-moron-at-all/) [Jean Chretien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-chretien/) > [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [Obama's policies have been approximately the same as Bush's, though there have been some slight differences, but that's not a great surprise. The Democrats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/obama-s-policies-have-been-approximately-the-same-as-bush-s-though/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [This country was the moral leader of the world until George Bush became president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/this-country-was-the-moral-leader-of-the-world-until-george-bush/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [We're half an hour from Toronto, which offers everything you could want from a city, and a couple of hours from beautiful vacation country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linwood-barclay/we-re-half-an-hour-from-toronto-which-offers-everything-you-could/) [Linwood Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linwood-barclay/) > [On election night 2000, I had never met then-Governor Bush, though I'd supported him for years. I believed he would be a strong, optimistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/on-election-night-2000-i-had-never-met-then-governor-bush-though-i-d/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [The president of the United States of North America, George W. Bush, the little gentleman of the North, the political cadaver that is visiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-chavez/the-president-of-the-united-states-of-north-america-george-w-bush-the/) [Hugo Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-chavez/) > [Obama and the Democrats were so critical of what Bush did, the interrogations, the secret prisons, Guantanamo and all of that, and even the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/obama-and-the-democrats-were-so-critical-of-what-bush-did-the/) [Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/) > [I remember when President Bush, George W. Bush, came into office, he focused on No Child Left Behind, and with - and before very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-alexander/i-remember-when-president-bush-george-w-bush-came-into-office-he/) [Lamar Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-alexander/) > [ If George Bush \[Jr.\] decided he was going to turn the troops loose on Syria and Iran after that he would last in office… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-eagleburger/if-george-bush-jr-decided-he-was-going-to-turn-the-troops-loose-on/) [Lawrence Eagleburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-eagleburger/) > [I mean, look, no matter how you feel about Bush, watching him speak is difficult. It's like- it's like watching a drunk man cross…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/i-mean-look-no-matter-how-you-feel-about-bush-watching-him-speak-is/) [Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/) > [I'm not tempted to write a song about George W. Bush. I couldn't figure out what sort of song I would write. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehrer/i-m-not-tempted-to-write-a-song-about-george-w-bush-i-couldn-t-figure/) [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) > [It would be a tragic mistake for us out here to imagine that Bush represents the hearts and the minds of the majority of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/breyten-breytenbach/it-would-be-a-tragic-mistake-for-us-out-here-to-imagine-that-bush/) [Breyten Breytenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/breyten-breytenbach/) > [In the bush, trust no one you don't know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/in-the-bush-trust-no-one-you-don-t-know/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) > [Leadership is about making decisions with the information you have, not the information people will have 12 years later, i kind of feel sorry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-huckabee/leadership-is-about-making-decisions-with-the-information-you-have/) [Mike Huckabee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-huckabee/) Browse all 764 Bush quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The prevailing quality of life in America -- by any accepted methods of measuring -- was unarguably freer and more politically open under Nixon than it is today in this evil year of Our Lord 2002.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hunter S. 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