Could socialism make America happy again?

The soccer fans who flooded into the U.S. this year gave us a refreshing view of America. They were amazed at a country whose citizens could buy ranch dressing by the gallon. We were reminded that we are privileged and blessed to live here.

Now that the celebration is over, it is time to wrestle with the reality that many Americans are not happy with the country’s direction. Most adults (67 percent), including most non-MAGA Republicans (51 percent), feel the U.S. is moving in the wrong direction. The pessimism isn’t new; it has dominated public opinion since 2004.

That may be why voters are showing interest this year in candidates associated with socialism. We need a substantial course correction.

Since the Reagan era, Republicans have been hooked on supply-side economics, the theory that everyone benefits when the rich get richer. The idea is that tax cuts for businesses and upper-income earners are supposed to stimulate investment and jobs, benefitting everybody.

Humorist Will Rogers mocked this as the “trickle-down” theory. It has never worked as advertised, but that didn’t deter former President George W. Bush and now President Trump from embracing the supply-side. Tax cuts since 2000 have cut federal revenues by trillions of dollars and disproportionately benefit higher-earning households.

One result is a large, persistent wealth gap. Last year, one percent of earners held nearly 30 percent of the country’s net worth, while the bottom half hold nearly zero. “Something has gone wrong here in the U.S.,” according to Sarah Anderson, director of the........

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