[tabs]

After WW2 America emerged as the leading Superpower economically and militarily. The USA was the only nation that had an intact Industrial Plant. So if you wanted to buy a Tractor you basically had to buy American. This led to Americans becoming wealthier than they had ever before, where a schmo working at a Blue Collar Factory job could be Middle Class, never beofre had this happened. Also the economy of scale produced goods cheaper than they had ever been before. By the 1960s that started to change Japan and Germany both were becoming major competitors economically. This was the begining of the pressure on the Middle Class, as the USA faces more competition the more of leveling of wages and wealth will take place...eg the Japanese will become wealthier and the US poorer untiul some kind of equilibrium is achieved. That is the awefull truth that Washington won't tell you. They would rather have you watch the Super Bowl and drink Beer while making ever greater payments on your Credit Cards.