Outcast_Searcher wrote:noobtube wrote:With 2021, prices are high as hell for decent food.
From what I am seeing, where I am, this country just keeps getting poorer (and fatter).
Nonsense.
One datapoint from a biased internet commenter doesn't make valid statistical information.
I've dealt with your kind for years and years. I see something locally. The normies either ignore my observations and conclusions or are dismissive and condescending. I think to myself, what makes your opinion any more valid than mine. Better to be prepared than a fool.
And, when I am right, these same people don't want to talk about it, avoid me, or they act as if they knew it all along.
Of course, they want to (and do) benefit from
MY preparation and foresight.
Takes a lot of patience being the only adult around adult children. (The police will protect us. The government will save us! Nothing is wrong! All is well! It will go back to normal! We're exceptional! We're the richest country!)
Outcast_Searcher wrote:And the other side, which you don't mention, is wages have been rising significantly since the pandemic. The median US household income is up as usual in 2021, having fell a bit in 2020, due to the pandemic.
Significantly higher wages and somewhat higher prices doesn't translate into much higher poverty in the real world.
But I know, your ilk has fast crash doom to sell, as always.
Higher wages means higher prices. That is the effect of massive inflation. Who cares when there is nothing to buy? Or, what is the point if what you want is rising just as fast? There are so many empty storefronts in my area. The streets and highways are packed with cars burning gas. But, with a lot fewer stores, restaurants, and products, where do you go to spend those high wages? Round and round in circles wasting fuel and time.
Let's set aside these stupid face diapers and jab mandates.
Let's set aside these dumb fears of getting sick and not wanting to travel and be around other people.
Let's set aside the permanent drop in travel, hospitality, and leisure that affected the airlines, hotels, and attractions across the country and the jobs that went with them.
Let's set aside all the big projects that were planned or completed before the lockdowns and all the sunk and lost resources.
Let's set aside the massive jump in fuel prices that affects shipping, transport, and the drain on national wealth.
Let's just ignore all the warning signs because today, your belly is full.
I go into the mall and the quality of the clothing is awful. Lots of synthetics and blends. No natural fibers like cotton, wool, leather, like in the past. And, when you do get 100% cotton, the fabric is so thin and basic. The cost of clothing may be down since 2000, but that is because there is a glut of cheap clothing, not good clothing that has gotten cheap. Super 100s, cashmere, alpaca, vicuna, linen, lambskin are found in specialty stores, not malls. But, they used to be (except vicuna).
These young people don't know what good clothing is. It's all t-shirts and blue jeans because that's all this country can afford. As late as the 1990s, young people would wear sport coats and dress shoes, when going out on the town. Now, it's gym shoes and cargo pants. Yep, that's a sign of national prosperity.
Driving a new car but looking like a bum. The country looks poor.
I go into the Big Box Stores often. Sure, inventory is arriving, but it is nothing like it was in 2020.
Last year's sales were incredible. The selection was immense.
In 2021, I see sky-high prices on tools and the selection is pathetic compared to last year. You could buy these rolling kits that had a bountiful selection of items. Gone! Today, it is the tool version of shrink-flation. More technology, higher prices, but the same basic tool from last year. Poor battery selection. Lots of cheap crap, like hand tools, squares, and gloves.
Stocked up in 2020, from the stuff that is missing this year. Got backup laptops, batteries, power supplies, and storage devices.
I feel sorry for those who listen to people like you.