The document discusses the erosion of consensus assumptions in America from the 1950s through the present. It outlines various consensus views from the 1950s including that the free enterprise system is just, natural resources are unlimited, and America can solve all its problems. However, over subsequent decades, events like Watergate, economic issues, and loss of faith in leaders challenged these assumptions. By the 1980s, the consensus had collapsed, as shown by Reagan's campaign theme of it being "Morning in America" again, implying things had been dark before.