is it not notable?

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

One wonders how the United States existed for over a century before the Great Society broke the federal budget.

Grinding poverty and early deaths for 90% of the population. Of course you want to return to that because you're a sociopath, but that's the answer to "how the United States existed".

Not to mention the complete lack of opportunities that would lead to an escape hatch from that existence for a sizable minority.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

One wonders how the United States existed for over a century before the Great Society broke the federal budget.

Grinding poverty and early deaths for 90% of the population. Of course you want to return to that because you're a sociopath, but that's the answer to "how the United States existed".

In the 1950's?

Yes, even in the 50s life played out this way for a large minority of Americans.