A Shout Out To The "Things Are Getting Worse" Crowd
Thomas Sowell, on Myths of Rich and Poor:
Despite the statistics that show real wages going downhill over time, somehow Americans are consuming more than ever and have a larger net worth than ever.
As of 1970, for example, only about a third of American homes had both central heating and air conditioning, while more than four-fifths had both in the 1990s. Moreover, the homes themselves were more than one-third larger.
Just over one-fourth of American households had a dishwasher in 1970 but more than half did by the 1990s. Only 34 percent of households had color television in 1970 but 98 percent did in the 1990s.
If we are really that much worse off economically than we were 10-20-30-40 (ect.) years ago, then why do we keep getting- scuse my language- more and more shit. In my humble opinion, the real issues of wealth and poverty are sociological, not economic in nature.
Despite the statistics that show real wages going downhill over time, somehow Americans are consuming more than ever and have a larger net worth than ever.
As of 1970, for example, only about a third of American homes had both central heating and air conditioning, while more than four-fifths had both in the 1990s. Moreover, the homes themselves were more than one-third larger.
Just over one-fourth of American households had a dishwasher in 1970 but more than half did by the 1990s. Only 34 percent of households had color television in 1970 but 98 percent did in the 1990s.
If we are really that much worse off economically than we were 10-20-30-40 (ect.) years ago, then why do we keep getting- scuse my language- more and more shit. In my humble opinion, the real issues of wealth and poverty are sociological, not economic in nature.
posted by lonely libertarian at 7:10 PM
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