honestly I think the cold war was a huge part of what kept quality of life high for many working americans post-ww2. capitalism had to win hearts and minds against communism. once capitalism became the only game in town (a monopoly, if you will), why care about workers?

wtf happened in 1971? well, among other things, US leaders began realizing that the soviet economy was stagnating and that communism wasn't the threat they previously feared