It's funny, I was just thinking about the gold standard, but of course it couldn't be returned to as that would destroy the valuation of the holdings of the various financial elite.

https://wtfhappenedin1971.com/

(As an aside, the IRA and 401(k) were introduced in 1973 and 1978, respectively- a great way to trick the public into thinking that runaway cash valuation was a valuable move for America.)

Many people don't think it will continue for long, which is why everyone's buying guns, I guess.

> How long can this continue?

With ZIRP it can continue for a long time.

Political intervention will come sooner. Keep your eye on the 2024 election, as that's predicted to be the first election where Millennials and younger will be the majority of the electorate.