We stayed ahead of the rest of the world because they were socialist and we were free. So the ignorant voters, egged on by politicians, decided they should get other people’s stuff, and just like everywhere else, government took away freedom.
Now there is less stuff for everyone, except those well-connected to government. Big Government politicians tell the ignorant that their votes will get them food stamps and free birth control, and the economy is destroyed for everyone but government cronies. USSR government officials lived in dachas, while the people lived in dumps. ‘Twas ever thus.
“Now there is less stuff for everyone, except those well-connected to government.”
Not only is there less stuff, but the quality and utility of the stuff has declined due to regulations. We have washing machines that won’t clean clothing because they can’t use enough water make the soap work. We have expensive light bulbs that have to be disposed of by a haz mat team. We have water saving toilets that take three flushes to get the poo down. We have toaster with electrical cords that are too short to reach an outlet. We have ethanol blended gasoline that ruins engine parts while driving up food prices. We have medicine bottles old people with arthritis cannot open. Our automobiles are shrinking into cramped sardine cans so manufacturers can hit government imposed mpg requirements. We experience brownouts and power surges because utilities have taken coal plants offline.
With respect to the ignorant voters, those third and fourth generation welfare recipients have a lifestyle beyond the dreams of 95% of the people on the planet. They enjoy cell phones, food, bling, wide screen televisions, designer purses, free housing, free healthcare and plenty of leisure time. Freedom to them is freedom to procreate or not. If they choose to procreate the government will pay for the maintenance and education of the children. If they choose not to procreate, the government will pay for birth control and abortions. If you have zero ambition, free food and housing, money in your pocket, all the sex you can handle with no responsibility, a high definition television and free cable, what’s not to like about living in the dumps? It is only the working people in the middle who want more for themselves and their families who are being squeezed. The wealthy and the government supported poor have their needs being met in today’s America.