The Rise and Fall of America 1820 to 1970

From 1820 to 1970 the USA underwent unprecedented economic growth and prosperity. She became number one in just about everything. Attracted by this expansion huge numbers of immigrants surged to these shores to partake in the American Dream. By their work the economy grew and the workers benefited with wage increases from higher productivity. They climbed the ladder to the Middle Class.
When hated minorities claimed a few rungs on the ladder, a majority of Americans struck back at them with a vengeance. The sea change became apparent in the 1968 Presidential elections. The voters renounced the Civil Rights and anti-war movements. The Democratic Party and organized labor found disfavor.
The key result for our purposes was labor's loss of productivity wage increases. Beginning in 1970 real wages flat lined and have remained at a low level. To maintain a decent standard of living ordinary Americans sent their housewives to the labor force. This wrecked parenthood, prompted marriage dysfunction and inspired the government to build prisons for our children non-stop. The Police have degenerated into para-militarists who look upon citizens as enemy combatants.
Enriched by stealing productivity increases, the corporate and financial wizards rewarded themselves with outlandish salaries and socialistic benefits always denied workers. They feasted on under-manned regulatory agencies with a host of Ponzi schemes, stock fraud manipulations and financial bubbles to strip net worth from the public. The jobless and homeless offer little resistance. Others still barely afloat have little comprehension of what has happened to the country.
The wizards have executed their masterpiece by encouraging massive private and public debt. Strapped of income to maintain living standards, the public became credit card junkies. In effect, they are paying interest to borrow funds originally stolen from them.
The wizards hope the dysfunctional government will default on its debt obligations. If the Chinese are merciful, they will allow us to rent the homes and farms we formerly owned.