50 or even 40 years ago, no cost of cell phone, cable, internet, heat-pump servicing. Cars were cheaper to buy and repair, then we went from one O2 sensor to 3,4,5 or more, and ABS, and electronics. Plus traffic, the cost of home maintenance. And then wages don't keep up with inflation after taxes. Work harder and harder, two incomes, 2-3 jobs just to stay afloat. Property tax increases, insurance costs.
But did you notice? The CEO's make 20-50 times what they once did. The C-suite is stuffed with cash. Companies don't build HQ, they build palaces on suburban corporate campuses. They have armies of MBAs and lawyers to do M&A, they have political slush funds. You don't have guaranteed pensions, you have 401Ks in index funds so you can be average.
No wonder no one gets ahead. The system is rigged and skimmed at every joint. No wonder people want to work for themselves.
Inflation is only a symptom of the disease. The FED made this all possible by never allowing a recession to clear the markets. Hasn't happened since 1982, and that was only about 75% cleared. Every downturn since the FED floods the market with liquidity, bails out the insolvent, banks are the vehicles and the collaborators. Once the markets are flooded the money goes UP the income ladder again. 40 years feeding super capitalists!! All hail to the chief! John D. Rockefeller didn't have it this good.
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