Re I remember we paid high for everything, but paid it to a fellow American person or business, we were all in the same boat of give and receive. Now a days, many Americans are giving to outsiders in foreign lands instead. The money went far and stayed home.
When I wasa young girl I asked my stepfather why they want to take us off the gold standard. This came to mind in your post.He said because non citizens refering to Mexico in Calif before the mass outsourcing is taking our gold reserves out of the country to theirs and others. I’m guessing that would happen in mass today.