The collapse of the dollar

[1776-1976]

Maybe Im off on the average annual inflation rate but you can figure it out for yourself if you disagree. Still the dollar is worth 21.18 times more in 1913 than 2008 so what percentage would that be? As far a value of goods you will find very few average products from earlier times that are not made as well or better than the most expensive brands of comparable product today.

[Texas1911]

Originally Posted by 1776-1976

Still the dollar is worth 21.18 times more in 1913 than 2008 so what percentage would that be?

Average income was $1296.00 / Year in 1913. The average income of a person in 2009 is ~$35000.00 / Year. So the average income in the United States is 27 times higher than it was in 1913. If the cost of goods has increased 21.18 times, then there is a net gain by the consumer.

It's all in ratios. True "inflation" comes when items value based on market demand in relation to a growing disparity in worker value. Ie. the 1930s and late 1970s / Early 1980s.

[Texas1911]

Originally Posted by 1776-1976

What goods today are of better qaulity today than before? The most basic of automobiles all the way into the mid to late 1960's were of much higher qaulity than even the top of the line automobiles of today. The furniture was made from real wood not out of the partical board and plastic todays furniture is made from. A stereo or television came in a nice wood cabinet unlike the plastic and partical board todays intertainment systems come in. Ive seen houses biult 100 years ago with wood that is in better shape than houses biult just 20 years ago so the houses were better made also. The firearms were also way better biult than firearms of today. Gas was much more potent and had a higher octane rateing than even the supreme grade gasoline has today, food was fresher since it was not filled with preservatives and shipped from another country, Soft drink tasted better and came in a glass bottle and tasted much better. This list could go on and on. The fact is that goods are of far lower qaulity today than they used to be so we have not advanced in improveing products but rather figured out ways to make them cheaper and faster at the expense of the consumer.

That merely reflects your opinion, not the actual market. The actual market says otherwise.

Not saying your opinion is wrong, just that the entity of value is measured differently by other people.

[JKTex]

Originally Posted by 1776-1976

What goods today are of better qaulity today than before? The most basic of automobiles all the way into the mid to late 1960's were of much higher qaulity than even the top of the line automobiles of today. The furniture was made from real wood not out of the partical board and plastic todays furniture is made from. A stereo or television came in a nice wood cabinet unlike the plastic and partical board todays intertainment systems come in. Ive seen houses biult 100 years ago with wood that is in better shape than houses biult just 20 years ago so the houses were better made also. The firearms were also way better biult than firearms of today. Gas was much more potent and had a higher octane rateing than even the supreme grade gasoline has today, food was fresher since it was not filled with preservatives and shipped from another country, Soft drink tasted better and came in a glass bottle and tasted much better. This list could go on and on. The fact is that goods are of far lower qaulity today than they used to be so we have not advanced in improveing products but rather figured out ways to make them cheaper and faster at the expense of the consumer.

I'll be a little less gentle.

Oh my god........that right there supports what I thought was coming. Proof, that nothing logical will come from any attempt at discussion or debate or even an argument. You can't do any of those 3 with illogical crazy talk.

[oldguy]

Quote( The fact is that goods are of far lower quality today than they used to be so we have not advanced in improving products but rather figured out ways to make them cheaper and faster at the expense of the consumer.)quote





1776-1976, your correct in all you state however it is difficult to prove especially when most simply do not want to believe the consumer is basically being raped in terms of quality & cost, homes in my area in the 150,000 range are 7 year homes(my term) at that point they must be repaired, numerous products are similar, but we have become a throwaway society.

My children all highly educated need to work twice as many hours to purchased same thing I had in the 60's for less then 1/2 the money, again you are correct quality of life for the American worker is on the decline two areas we have made progress is in medical treatment and electronics for communication.

In time most of those who disagree will see the light on this subject because times are going to get much worse before it gets better.

[1776-1976]

Thanks for the support oldguy. I do not feel the need to argue my case anymore and for the others who refuse to see what is going on around us they can follow their leader obama strait to he#*.

[M. Sage]

Originally Posted by 1776-1976

What goods today are of better qaulity today than before? The most basic of automobiles all the way into the mid to late 1960's were of much higher qaulity than even the top of the line automobiles of today.

One might think this, but one would be completely wrong. The modern auto is higher in quality in every way I can think of; it's more reliable, lasts longer, is safer, is more efficient, has higher performance, has more standard items previously considered "luxury" items (like a radio, power steering, power breaks, etc.) and is better to drive than in any point in history.

Growing up in the rust belt, I can tell you that previous to around the mid-90s, it was unheard of for a car to go more than 5 years without rusting unless it simply wasn't ever driven during the winter. Now we have coated steel (or aluminum or plastic) for body panels which almost never will rust out.

[viking]

I talked to an old buddy that owns a small gun shop, that is his part-time investment. Anyway he uses credit cards to buy his inventory. Not anymore. He said he was notified by 2 of them that interest rates were going up to 29 percent! He said he got a second loan on his house to pay them off and then cut them up.

[usmcpmi]

Just a couple of things... I would rather have an "old" truck built in the '60's rather than this new junk comming out of Detroit today... if we could get "REAL" gasoline, not this crap we have to buy now. I don't know about anyone else, but I still make about the same as I did in 1989. I'm sure the price of everything else has gone through the roof. Anyone else here paid any taxes lately?? Do you think you are getting your moneys worth? I guess some people live in their own little world and refuse to see the regular people out here have been turned into slaves for the gov't agenda. MG

[MadMo44Mag]

I work and pay tax's so those that do not wish to work, can stay home and reap the benefits I have worked for and will never see.
I bought the house I grew up in my folks paid 10k for in 1962 - it cost me in 2005 51k - same house very few improvements over the years.
To me this shows the value of the dollar has greatly declined.
Same house - different value attached to the dollar!