Inflation?

Greed [ unsustainable at that]

The average American has to be held responsible also. In the 50's & 60's credit was not in abundance, people could actually buy goods and services with out going into debt. Then along came bankcards and that changed the economy. Bank credit cards made it easy to buy what you wanted with out a pay raise, without unionism, without thought of how much you were getting into debt. Banks loved it, now they made on money on money you didn't have yet. Manufacturers were elated as more credit meant more profit on sales, then they didn't have to give people raises as people could get what they wanted without a raise. Then surprise the bubble bursts.

Capitalism doesn't work unless there is a rich class and then everyone else under them. Wages and costs are balanced to stifle the lower classes from having too much money, often having costs outweigh wages and income. The value of money is retained like that. Capitalism was designed to, and will always favor, the rich. It's all manipulation.

Our "founding father" James Madison is quoted as saying the government should, "Protect the opulent minority from the majority" (middle class and the poor).

Competition for limited amount of a product. The market price ends up being whatever people will keep paying. We should boycott automakers. Like that'd ever really happen!

IMO, it’s a combination of inflation and demand. Politicians have learned to use money supply to effect the economy and the undoing inflation is economic suicide. Rules of Supply and Demand have pushed SoCal cost of living into the upper stratosphere. Limited supplies and crushing demand make prices rise and inversely plentiful supply and little demand makes things cheap.

Because people were too comfortable.
A population that has to work constantly just to try making ends meet doesn't have time to think, protest, or instigate change.
And keeps them too afraid of doing so in fear of losing what little they do have.
Basic manipulate and control tactics.

No, I don't wonder at all. I watched it happen. When I complained about it while it was happening, I was stared at like I had two heads.

All I can conclude is Americans on average are extremely gullible and bad at math, particularly when it has a $ in front of it or % behind it. The CPI is not just a number folks! It means something, particularly when it is compared to your annual pay increase. PAY ATTENTION DANG IT!!

Vote the Republicans out come November!!

As time increases, the value of money decreases. That's why economists have this thing called the "time value of money". For example, you could say $1 now in 2018 is actually worth $0.50 from 1968. That's not correct, it's just to show the general idea.

I saw an article in AARP on this subject, and gas and food were really about where they should be given inflation. Gas and housing were way over the top. Given those are the two most expensive items most people purchase, it is way out of proportion compared to income.

In 1970 all major world currencies were tied to the gold standard.

[en.wikipedia.org]

That ended in 1971, so that freed up governments worldwide to print all the money they wanted.

Whenever the economy slows down, the central banks print more money. So each dollar/yen/yuan/Euro you are holding is worth less.

Capitalism got greedy.... what do you expected, the one with the means to get compassionate? Welcome to the Real World. Capitalism on its Apex while you dangle and swing in the Pendulum.

keep voting for thoose who represent big business,reagan/bush ,ford,bush again,republicans block min. wage raises,and ssn benifits,so govt,takes in less taxes,and wages stagnant.

Thanks a lot TRUMP!