Physical Output Per Capita (New Homes + Passenger Cars)

In the late 1970s (and also in 1986), the combined sales of "new-homes-plus-passenger-cars" was over 5 units per 100 Americans.

By 1990, it had reduced to under 4 units per 100 Americans.

By 2006, it had reduced to under 3 units per 100 Americans.

By 2018, it had reduced to under 2 units per 100 Americans.

Using these two "big ticket" items as a crude estimate of all physical output, evidence suggests that the real GDP per capita ("physical goods per person") was larger in the 1970s and 1980s than it has ever been since.

Objective indicators of economic freedom are the level of centralization of all national spending and the total level of government regulations.

Total government spending, and total government regulations, have been increasing ever since the 1950s--and research indicates that they crossed a "critical threshold" (where all future US productivity wanes) at some point in the 1970s. 

Having crossed this threshold, it is no longer possible for us to be as rich as before (or as free). Returning the size and scope of government back to a pre-1970s level should fix things--allowing us to become rich once again (and free once again). This would allow America to have a bright future.

Reference

[1] U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New One Family Houses Sold: United States [HSN1FA], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/HSN1FA

[2] U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Motor Vehicle Retail Sales: Domestic and Foreign Autos [LAUTONSA], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LAUTONSA

[3] U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Population [B230RC0A052NBEA], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/B230RC0A052NBEA