The last 40 years of conservative growth in power is a reaction to the 10 years called the "60's"

[Puzzledtraveller]

6. When people are relatively doing well they don't complain as much.

My parents being both boomers thrived in the 80's and 90's not so much now, for any number of reasons. Even if they disagreed politically during the decades I mentioned the impetus to affect change wasn't there. Then again, why would they, they were doing well, as were all of their peers, who were likewise boomers who all leaned left. It really comes down to the ability to gain and keep substantial employment enought to raise and sustain a family. I'm only 39 and even I can recall when if I didn't like a job I could quite and find one the next day. That is not the case anymore. I work in a food stamp and medicaid office, many of my clients are able bodie males between 18 and 49, they used to have to register for work, like unemployment to show they were looking. My state has dropped that requirement because there just is not enough jobs to even keep applying for to make it reasonable for the requirement. These same individuals 18-49's, in the 80's and 90's were not applying for food stamps. Eventhough there were some economic tough times then as well, many of them could get a decent paying job, enough to be able to by a engagement ring and daydream. I too lament that those days seem gone.