When you have a period of high prosperity, you get used to it, making adjustments to your lifestyle. When that period is over, it's hard to accept it.

In the 50s, you could have a modest job, provide for your entire household with one salary, buy a nice house, a car, send your kids to college.

The government made massive investments on infrastructure, defense, science, space, etc. How was all of that paid?

From 1945 to 1971, the economic reality was: "It costs only a few cents for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to produce a $100 bill, but other countries had to pony up $100 of actual goods in order to obtain one."

That system was known as the Bretton Woods system. Since its end in 1971, America has been struggling to adapt with its new economic reality. It is much harder to make a living in the US, buy a house, a car, raise kids and send them to college. Or even retire.