If you were a rosy optimist over the state of our nation x the last 70 years, you would have failed miserably, not to mention be a contributory reason why we're in the dumper. But sure, shinny city on a hill and all that stuff.
Reagan won 49 states in 1984 because people liked the results of his policies. That was no miserable failure.
But some are always looking for an excuse to blow their brains because it so bad.