Clinton years were just fine for me too. I got a practical education in a marketable subject, I make a median salary, and I live a practical, moderate lifestyle, not particularly frugal but within my means. The secret is working hard and living within one's means rather than demanding that I'm a special snowflake that other people need to support in the lifestyle to which I'd like to be accustomed simply because I exist. Nobody owes me anything, and since government cannot do anything for me without first taking the means from someone else, I want nothing personally from government.