In 1975, I taught in London, England.

Gas was the equivalent of $3+ a gallon then, rent was high, taxes on folks making minimum wage was 50%+..considering all taxes.

Folks there had started to give up...back in 1975...figuring they couldn't get ahead. They would tell me you Yanks are so smug...in a few years you will be in the same place we are.

I told them, USofA...no way

Guess who was right?