Yes and look at where we are now. Slow economy, stagnant wages, increasing debt, increasing inequality... Yes your way is very successful.
And you want to blame that on the general public?
I blame it on a government who does everything it can to quash investment and spending.
I know I wont spend a dime while a dipshit like obama is in office because I know damn well he's likely to hit me with some new tax that will **** my future plans for retirement for the wife and I.
You think business is any different?