[geologist]

So enlighten the rest of us ... What happened in 1913 that set this end now ...

[Verginius Rufus]

1913 is when the 16th amendment was ratified, which allows the federal government to tax incomes. Without that, the huge expansion of government would not have been possible.

The 17th amendment was also ratified in 1913. That may have been a bad idea, and doesn't appear to have brought any beneficial effects, but hasn't caused nearly as much harm as the 16th.