What drives inflation?

What has happened in America in the last fifty years? In the 1950's, times were good. The cost of living was low, and any job was a good job. If you had a job, you were fine. Now the cost of living has skyrocketed, and wages are not livable. A lot of people only have part-time jobs for low wages, and are barely able to get by. Why has this happened and can we turn it around?