The notion that there is any generation that got it all substantially right, and some other generation messed everything up, is pretty childish.
Whatever “generations” we are talking about, the American People have been what used to be called “mugs” or “chumps” for many generations.
They accepted the Federal Reserve, going off the Gold Standard (1933 and 1971), and fiat money. They should have rioted in the streets.
They accepted the income tax, because it was going to be just for “the rich.”
They accepted Soshcurity, because it was going to pay them more than they paid in.
They accepted JFK’s theft of the 1960 election.
They accepted LBJ’s murder of JFK.
They accepted the “legalization” of abortion. After all, I’ve already been born.
And all those things happened on the watch of the “the Greatest Generation” and their parents.
You’re absolutely correct in pointing out the blinders that honest men wore while their nation and Republic was being eroded by careerists and their supporters.