Suppose we had some extensive government programs to subsidize mortgages on modest homes. And free college. And massive infrastructure construction programs creating good jobs. And health care. And 90 percent tax brackets to pay for them. And set a livable minimum wage.Then millions of people could afford homes. Socialism? No, I am describing the U.S. of the fifties and sixties.These government programs were the G.I. Bill, Farmer’s Home Administration, Housing and Urban Development, Interstate Highways, Civilian Conservation Corp, California colleges, and many others available to large portions of the population.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');These and other programs are how post-depression and World War II America created a widespread middle class following these catastrophes.Folks remembering this period of history generally are not aware that it was through these “socialistic” efforts (the “wartime economy”) that the concentrated wealth of the ‘20s was redistributed to the “Greatest Generation” and their “Boomer” children.Sure, hard work was required, but these assured that the workers would get what they made, and could afford “starter” homes.So much of this got changed in the ’80’s on the idea that letting the wealthy and corporations keep most of the profit would benefit the workforce with more jobs. But that never happened, and it has come to this, when even hard workers cannot afford what housing is available.Of course it is much more complicated than this short letter can address, but it was such “socialism” that made and maintained the middle class in those days of a Great America that many would like to Make Again.I have not seen this pointed out in all of this newspaper’s coverage of this important topic. Roger NiesenCrescent City googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });