I think this is the answer. The 90s were the greatest the US has ever been. Unfortunately that was only possible because of lack of competition and a result of WW2 and the later end of the cold war. Germany destroyed Europe, the US destroyed Japan, then used the leverage over Europe, Japan, and China to destroy the Soviet economy. This resulted in a flood of cheap labor from China to build cheap goods with the nearly free materials available from the fall of the Soviet Union. Resulting in the lowest inflation in history, which lead to the lowest interest rates in history trying to push the gravy train further. We enjoyed the 90s thanks to the absolute suffering of literally billions of people.
Unfortunately and sad, there has always been suffering since mankind. IMO, the mid 50's through early 60's were good.
The years prior to the Reagan Era were certainly better than the years that have followed that debacle……not that that is saying a great deal.
I just feel like by the late 90s there was the most freedom and most opportunity, and because of that, the best access to services. Money was cheap for the US, so life was better. I think this is partially why crime rates were dropping and continued dropping until the great recession.
2020, when y'all were staying at home instead of getting all up in my face. Boy the way Glen Miller played Songs that made the Hit Parade Guys like us we had it made those were the days... barfo