I don't believe it. You should care though because if you have that attitude it will make it tougher to see another side to the story.
There was plenty of poverty and political turmoil, rape, murder, sadness, hate and anger in the world back in the 60's or whenever it was you grew up in CA. The difference is that is wasn't in your area. It was in other places in the country and other places in the world.

Plenty of nice safe community's exist in the current America.

The 50's brainwashing age is over and a new age and doctrine of control is in place. If you grew up in a "leave it to beaver town" then good for you. You are fortunate to have not grown up on "the other side of the tracks". I seriously doubt the world as a whole is "more sane" or "less sane"..... whatever sane means.