Heard an interview yesterday--can't remember who was speaking--that reminded us that before 1970's, say in 50's and 60's America solved a lot of problems.

Since then, however, we haven't seemed to be able to.

Got to thinking about what's different. Two things jump out. Gas prices and interest rates. Then .28 cents per gallon, and usury rates not more than 12%.

Wages, even, were far more equitable, and it was a time of a single earner being able to support his family, maybe buy a boat or motorhome, and still have some savings.

They've been stagnant, and in some cases decreasing for the past 20-30 years. A second wage earner has had to step in.

Just think how much more money is being sucked out of the economy by energy prices and interest rates alone, even taking an inflation rated GDP into consideration.

I've written before that I think they are the most insidious of taxes on the middle class, that is, they tax the middle class to the point of struggling to survive.

Problems get solved when the middle class is comfortable, they fester when only the rich are.

And they multiply!