The Decline in the US Standard of Living over the Past 40 Years

[burtybasset Retired Moderator Member of the Month May 2014PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close burtybasset]

This is going to get interesting

Share that popcorn mebs.

[Closed039 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Closed039]

I think a big factor was fiat currency the USA introduced.

Yes you are absolutely right about that.

[stilltoosmall Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stilltoosmall]

I run a very succesful business and work hard, i dont rely on any of those. In England we also have the NHS. Go live in Iraq where your country has brought freedom. Iraq is so much better now your country brought 'democracy'.

LOL. ISIL is headed by a US operative (he was in US prison camp for 4 years before he was 'released'/'used'). Iraq was obviously (more obvious to you in the UK because you werent as heavily propagandized) about oil/imperial profits than any sort of 'freedom' for people.

As for the NHS; dude, it's a great system. Don't let your right wing destroy it. The US system costs too much and has horrible care.

As for the US; we are on a totally messed up path (IMO, and in the opinion of many others): Direction of Country

Federal Debt: Total Public Debt - FRED - St. Louis Fed [ see this total US debt chart; it's begun to look parabolic ]

No bashing, merely admiring the many freedoms the US of A brings to countries around the world. Murica' land of the free.

Where have you been? The land of unlimited digital surveillance state? A militarized police and the highest incarceration rate?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...25_onwards.png

[RoyCropper Banned Find all posts View Profile Close RoyCropper]

LOL. ISIL is headed by a US operative (he was in US prison camp for 4 years before he was 'released'/'used'). Iraq was obviously (more obvious to you in the UK because you werent as heavily propagandized) about oil/imperial profits than any sort of 'freedom' for people.

As for the NHS; dude, it's a great system. Don't let your right wing destroy it. The US system costs too much and has horrible care.

As for the US; we are on a totally messed up path (IMO, and in the opinion of many others): Direction of Country

Federal Debt: Total Public Debt - FRED - St. Louis Fed [ see this total US debt chart; it's begun to look parabolic ]



Where have you been? The land of unlimited digital surveillance state? A militarized police and the highest incarceration rate?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...25_onwards.png

Was being sarcastic, i have seen the zeitgeist

[stilltoosmall Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stilltoosmall]

Was being sarcastic, i have seen the zeitgeist

I understood your sarcasm. It's just that I DO NOT identify with the Federal Government of the United States of America. That, to me, is an occupation government that does me very little good and is willing to screw me over in any way they can, whenever/however they can.

So for you to even insinuate (even sarcastically) that killing nearly a million Iraqis over three decades is "my" doing; that makes me sick.

[CUSP82 Administrator Admin of the Month Dec 2014PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close CUSP82]

Share that popcorn mebs.

Screw the popcorn; get me some rum! ( and then watch me kick butt)

[RoyCropper Banned Find all posts View Profile Close RoyCropper]

I understood your sarcasm. It's just that I DO NOT identify with the Federal Government of the United States of America. That, to me, is an occupation government that does me very little good and is willing to screw me over in any way they can, whenever/however they can.

So for you to even insinuate (even sarcastically) that killing nearly a million Iraqis over three decades is "my" doing; that makes me sick.

Your country committes mass amounts of crimes of war, if it were any other country there would be huge a outrage but no because it's the usa you get away with it. USA are the biggest hypocrites.

[CUSP82 Administrator Admin of the Month Dec 2014PEGym Hero Find all posts View Profile Close CUSP82]

Ok Roy knock it off! I said no bad mouthing and that's what I mean because I'm a grumpy mass murdering American bastard! You have been warned!

[RoyCropper Banned Find all posts View Profile Close RoyCropper]

Ok Roy knock it off! I said no bad mouthing and that's what I mean because I'm a grumpy mass murdering American bastard! You have been warned!

I'm really sorry and i appreciate you being truthful.

[Wildcatter Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wildcatter]

I mean it's fairly obvious, our elected officials interests are pre determined before ever stepping foot into public office. Red/blue, it doesn't matter. They pursue the interests of a few at the expense of the majority, all under the guise of patriotism and falsehoods. Lying to the people has become a forgivable offense, as long it's done in front of an American flag.

Also, no offense, but if you say college is affordable you obviously didn't pay for it yourself. 30-50k in debt for a college graduate is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Graduate school/Law school? You're looking at 100k post grad debt. I worked 30 hours a week and attended a public state school full-time in a very competitive degree and still accrued around 40k in debt with a scholarship. That's ridiculous, in my opinion. It's our civic duty to educate as much of the populace as possible, not only to compete globally in the marketplace, but to assure intelligent design and industry domestically, and reduce crime.

Unfortunately, we're starting to see the follies of capitalism. Corporations can influence legislation in Washington through "campaign donations", while me and you are stuck footing the bill and repercussions of their tax breaks.

I hate politics and politicians. My only hope is that my generation, with its unprecedented access to resources, is starting to actually see the folly of our whole political process right now.

[RoyCropper Banned Find all posts View Profile Close RoyCropper]

I mean it's fairly obvious, our elected officials interests are pre determined before ever stepping foot into public office. Red/blue, it doesn't matter. They pursue the interests of a few at the expense of the majority, all under the guise of patriotism and falsehoods. Lying to the people has become a forgivable offense, as long it's done in front of an American flag.

Also, no offense, but if you say college is affordable you obviously didn't pay for it yourself. 30-50k in debt for a college graduate is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Graduate school/Law school? You're looking at 100k post grad debt. I worked 30 hours a week and attended a public state school full-time in a very competitive degree and still accrued around 40k in debt with a scholarship. That's ridiculous, in my opinion. It's our civic duty to educate as much of the populace as possible, not only to compete globally in the marketplace, but to assure intelligent design and industry domestically, and reduce crime.

Unfortunately, we're starting to see the follies of capitalism. Corporations can influence legislation in Washington through "campaign donations", while me and you are stuck footing the bill and repercussions of their tax breaks.

I hate politics and politicians. My only hope is that my generation, with its unprecedented access to resources, is starting to actually see the folly of our whole political process right now.

If you cant afford university dont go soft lad. I never went and im fine.

[Jay1983 Senior MemberMember of the Month Apr 2014, Sept 2016 Find all posts View Profile Close Jay1983]

Do you smell that??

[OneEyedWilly Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close OneEyedWilly]

What led to the decline? Reaganomics.....trickle down economics only works for the wealthy.

[namsokiek Banned Find all posts View Profile Close namsokiek]

I paid for school and exited debt free with a degree that actally offered jobs. Did communuty college for a few credits because it was cheaper. Did not have a cell phone because i could not afford it or the plan. Did not have a tv, xbox, or computer (used the school's). Drove a POS used car and worked two part-time jobs to pay the bills.

The problem is less with the government, the healthcare system, etc. It is with personal spending, failure to plan, and thinking wants are needs.

You still have not listed your valuable items. Regardless of the technological leaps of society, look at the value of the items in your possession then compare it to the value of the items typically owned 40 yrs ago (reduce for inflation). You are grossly more wealthy than someone your age back then.

Regarding unions and pensions; take a close look at Detroit. That is what unions and "good" pensions get you; an obstacle to progress and innovation to the point they become obsolete.

[aBone2pick Senior Member Member of the Month July 2014 Find all posts View Profile Close aBone2pick]

I blame higher education for a lot of societies problems. There are so many degrees offered now that serve no function. Kids from my generation went to school and pursued useless degrees, with mediocre grades, and then wonder why their dream job isn't waiting for them when they get out.

There was a time when education actually gave you a skill. Now it just gives you a sense of entitlement and a load of debt. That is unless you bite the bullet and get a degree that's difficult to get.