A lot of your statement I agree with. Fifty years ago, those with avg IQ and motivation could simply go to work in one of the many manufacturing jobs, do his 40 hours a week and live a pretty decent life. Now, not only are those jobs being globalized, but the fact of the matter is a lot of those jobs are automated. We are pumping out as much if not more steel in this country than we were 50 years ago. The difference, not as many workers needed due to automation and advancement in techniques.
Steel production in the USA peaked at 150 Million tons in 1973 to than 100 Million tons today. A huge drop in production.