"even if one admits that welfare spending has increased the income of some poverty-stricken Americans. Unfortunately, it's done so at the cost of economy-wide productivity..."
Prove it. Where's the data on this?
https://reason.com/2024/01/04/3-economic-myths-that-need-to-die/?comments=true#comments
Ed McQuarrie talks the REAL History of Stocks and Bond performance.
https://www.morningstar.com/funds/vanguard-wellesley-income-is-top-choice
Could be a great fund to start with starting in retirement and cash. Or use Vanguard Wellington and cash if you want to be more aggresive
https://www.morningstar.com/economy/what-weve-learned-150-years-stock-market-crashes
Take a look at this what has happend in past in stock market