I remember 1959 as an idyllic time. Unfortunately, later that year JFK was elected president. But, 1959 was still Eisenhower and a great time. Maybe they are talking about the early 60’s with JFK and then LBJ. Not such a great time under LBJ. But then I was just a kid. Maybe it was a real dire time in 1959 and I just didn’t notice it.
Ahhh, Ike. The last President to actually BALANCE the budget and pay down the national debt! No one since has ever actually had a surplus - the national debt has increased every year.