Why could America afford both war and an ambitious space program in the 60s?

[RitzyCinnamonRoll]

It seems like society in the 60s were more ambitious and interested in pushing society forward. America could afford both war and a real space program.

Now America's infrastructure is crumbling, inequality is rising, many people are not fit enough to join the military, people complain about high taxes, people would rather watch reality TV than expanding their knowledge, etc.

What happened to America? What happened to the ambitious America that wanted to drive humanity forward?

Did the fall of the Soviet Union make Americans complacent?

[toomuchbaloney]

2 hours ago, RitzyCinnamonRoll said:

It seems like society in the 60s were more ambitious and interested in pushing society forward. America could afford both war and a real space program.

Now America's infrastructure is crumbling, inequality is rising, many people are not fit enough to join the military, people complain about high taxes, people would rather watch reality TV than expanding their knowledge, etc.

What happened to America? What happened to the ambitious America that wanted to drive humanity forward?

Did the fall of the Soviet Union make Americans complacent?

Greed.

Kleptocracy.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

In the 1960s income tax rates were higher: 

1960: https://www.tax-brackets.org/federaltaxtable/1961

2020:  https://www.tax-brackets.org/federaltaxtable 

In the 1960s a person working full time could afford an apartment, community college tuition, food and other necessities, and still save for the future. I had many options for employment. I chose to work in a cafeteria where I served and met the engineers and others working on the Apollo race to the moon. I could have worked as a waitress where tips would add to my income. 

After taxes my check was $47.50 a week. I paid $50.00 monthly rent.