>>212624260
Rationing stopped in 1947 in the US.
Rationing in Sweden stopped in 1954.
USA got colour tv in 1953.
Sweden got colour tv in 1970.

I don't know what your metrics for being "poor" is but the fact that ONE THIRD of our population packed their bags and left for America in the 19th and 20th century because of how hopeless people felt about the future of Sweden should say something.