The 1960’s was an extrodinary time of relative peace, (I’ll talk about Vietnam in a sec,) wealth, and prosperity. After suffering through two major world wars and Korea, Americans felt that they now could see the glorious light of their sacrifices. They had jobs, their children were joyful and creative, their wifes were home baking cookies, and they had money in their pockets.
So what happened?
The powers that control our country, i.e., the largest corporationss and wealthiest American’s became fearful. They saw the rise of the middle class to the horrific force of being able to effect foriegn policy. The war protests by the middle class proved that the middle class could match their power! The consequences would be the most significant change in world history. Can you imagine if the middle class started dictating society.
What did they do?
They had to suppress the middle class, consciously or unconsciously, under the Nixon presidency, subtle changes began to take place over a period of decades.
Interest rates were lowered with the idea and ”fear” of stopping inflation, causing savings accounts to become stagnant.
“Tort Reform” was pushed to limit people’s rights to be compensated for their injuries.
Lawyers were banished from helping workers obtain workers compensation benefits. (Remember Shakespeare, “Kill all the lawyers.”)
Then came the complete annihilation of every small time business in American by large corporations such as Walmart and the business model of destroying competition by size.
And then the last bastion of hope, your retirement, was wiped out this year by the stock market and 0% interest rates.
The middle class has been banished to one car per person, everybody works, has a computer and a HD TV! The end of a short, but glorious reign.
