I agree on the political side, but not totally from the energy side....
It was the 1970s that saw the large expansion of the electric supply with big robust and reliable coal burning power station. This included a large robust expansion of the power grid.
The 1970s saw the large expansion of nuclear power until TMI killed it. Rather than learning and benefiting from TMI, it was allowed to politically kill nuclear power.
These electric power projects allowed our economy to grow without worrying about electricity. Unfortunately, we have taken this energy generation, supply, and distribution system for granted and have allowed it to stagnate and decay.
The 1970s also saw large commercial expansion of domestic oil resources.
Yes, there are lessons to be learned from the 1970s. Some are bad, but there are many good lessons too.
Excellent post.
We take so much for granted in our (currently) reliable electric generating and distribution infrastructure.