The United States of America was a great nation until about 1992. Then took an even more drastic turn for the worst in 2008.
Um, I think you are a little confused.
The 1970's and 1980's were shit for the Middle class. Unions disappeared, a lot of the good factory jobs went away due to outsourcing or automation. Then Bush 41 let the Banks loot the country, which is why you got Clinton.
Clinton fixed the economy. 2000 had full employment. You could send out a resume with minimal qualifications and STILL get a job offer. Bush 43 managed to fuck that up, with two recessions.
Well, this is an old story. Obama comes in, fights tooth and nail to help the working class, finally fixes the economy, and once again, Stupid white people voted in another Republican who fucked it up again.