Politics and religion.

[blue]

You're welcome!!!

Ok, banks weren't failing like they are now, not so many forclosures on homes, unemployment not as bad, stock market stable, businessess were more stable, no war sucking the life out of our country or people, I was younger...

oh, wait, I can't blame the government for that, can I?

This should cover a fair portion of why we are where we are, link.