It may have been white picket fences and opportunity before my lifetime but I never seen it. Feels like its all been milked dry and you got to run the hamster wheel or starve.
The rich call the shots in government since they just bribe and whine till they get what they want.
Americans are all bark and no bite domestically (I know where the big evil worldwide). I don't think anyone has the balls to push a civil war. Even Trumps cultist folded after someone got shot attacking the capital.