President Donald Trump has said he wants to bring back the Golden Age that he says covers the late 1800s through the late 1920s.
Compare that to the post-World War II era.
These periods offered vastly different experiences for the average American.
Trump’s right, the rapid industrialization brought impressive growth: railroads, steel and manufacturing boomed. But this wealth was highly concentrated.
Robber barons amassed fortunes while workers toiled in poor conditions for low wages. Labor protections were minimal, strikes were often violently suppressed, and racial and immigrant groups faced systemic discrimination.
The 1920s brought consumer goods and cars into reach, but prosperity was uneven.
Farm prices collapsed, and rising inequality culminated in the 1929 crash and Great Depression, which many blamed on tariffs.
In contrast, the post-WWII period (1945-1970s) marked a true golden age for the middle class.
Government investment in infrastructure, strong labor unions and the G.I. Bill expanded home ownership, education and upward mobility. Real wages grew and families enjoyed unprecedented access to jobs, healthcare and consumer goods.
Unlike the earlier period, this prosperity was broadly shared. Although still marred by segregation and gender inequality, steps toward civil rights and inclusion were gaining momentum.
And all this while taxes on high-income earners was at 90 percent.
Both periods shaped modern America, but only one delivered lasting economic security and opportunity for the working majority.
As we face rising inequality today, it’s worth remembering that inclusive policies, not unregulated markets, built the strongest middle class in our history.
Brian Berry
Sequim