This is an idea put forth by Michael Barone of Washington Examiner. I think it has merit.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_michael_barone/history_suggests_that_entitlement_era_is_winding_down
Barone noted that American history can be broken into several eras of 76 years -- he thought that sounded appropriately American. These intervals were characterized by periods where the country was moving in a certain direction, then conditions began to break down and a great change came along.
Great read by a new addition to my blogroll. You should add her to yours, too.
