People talk about the happy and glory years in the US in contrast to what is happening today as if both aren't borne out of the same root cause. When you don't

People talk about the happy and glory years in the US in contrast to what is happening today as if both aren't borne out of the same root cause. When you don't have regulations, strong federal oversight, high taxes, or invest in social programs, then you can have a fucking excellent party nearly all of the time. Until the economy tanks or the American Taliban decides their party involves telling you what you can do with your body. It's a very immature/libertarian way to run a society. Wonderful when things are good. Horrific when things are bad. The stakes are higher than individual hedonism now, though. American Prosperity is boiling our atmosphere and by the end of the century, excess American contributions to carbon emissions will have killed more people in the 3rd world than Hitler and Stalin put together. This is not an exaggeration. Hundreds of millions will die in Bangladesh and India from rising seas and heatwaves because Americans wanted the freedom of the house, the picket fence, the 2 F150s, and the 2 hour commute, and Next Day Shipping From Amazon for All The Things.