[La Lydia]

When economic values did erode, the ruling establishment tried to restore balance. After the Gilded Age, Theodore Roosevelt (who ventured west to counteract the softness of his upbringing) led a crackdown on financial self-indulgence. The Protestant establishment had many failings, but it was not decadent. The old WASPs were notoriously cheap, sent their children to Spartan boarding schools, and insisted on financial sobriety.

[Clemenza]

We were, in many ways, better off when we had the WASP elite.

[ClearCase_guy]

Theodore Roosevelt (who ventured west to counteract the softness of his upbringing) led a crackdown on financial self-indulgence.

Ah yes. They called it Progressivism and it involved massive government interference in the marketplace. Trust Busting. Income Tax. Good stuff I'm sure. Our present day Progressives are pushing for more of it. Lots more. Too much financial self-indulgence by the productive class, don't ya know.