Quote from Free Thinker:
A dollar just ain't what it used to be.
Our inflation calculator will tell you the relative buying power of a dollar in the United States between any two years from 1914-2012.
It will also calculate the rate of inflation during the time period you choose.
We determine the value of a dollar using the Consumer Price Index from December of the previous year. All calculations are approximate.
Fun fact: In 2007, the inflation rate was 4.08%. This was higher than any year since 1990. In 2008, the inflation rate was 0.09%, the lowest rate since 1954.
$1.00 in 1939 had the same buying power as $16.12 in 2012.
Annual inflation over this period was 3.88%.
Yea, I read all that Crap too. You should be aware that your inflation rate (Uncle Ben's inflation rate) does not include FOOD, Energy or Housing and is overweight on wages. Therefore, you and your web page have came up with exactly what he would like you to believe. This number might be significant if you are un-employed, homeless, standing in a Soup Line and don't own a car. Is that You?
With regards to "Cherry Picking", it's interesting you are unable to come up with any of your own price comparisons to support your nonsense. If I truly wanted to cherry-pick I would have used Health Care, Education, or, better yet, let's use the total tax burden of today and compare it to 1939.
Since you have not disputed the fact that in 1939 you could buy an Ounce of Gold for $35.00, lets look at a couple of other things you could have purchased for $35.00.
In 1939;
$35.00 would have bought you an old clunker of a Automobile in 1939,
$35.00 would have bought you 2 Nice Suits in 1939,
$35.00 would have bought you about 20 Bags of Groceries in 1939,
$35.00 would have paid a month's Rent on a pretty Nice House in 1939.
TODAY;
An Old Clunker of a Automobile costs about $1,750.00
2 Nice suits costs about $1,750.00
20 Bags of Groceries costs about $1,750.00
You can rent a pretty Nice House for about $1,750.00
And, Lo & Behold, you can buy an Ounce of Gold for about $1,750.00
If you multiply $35.00 x 50 you will come up with about $1,750.00 (a long way from your $16.00 multiplier)
Would you like to talk Apples, Oranges, Hair Cuts, Rice & Beans? Your Utility bills? You'll probably have the best of luck with your wages when compared to 1939. Go ahead and cherry-pick, show me something aside from an absurd web page.
You are right on one point though, "A dollar just ain't what it used to be."
With your Political Math everything mentioned would now costs $564.20
