[SamAdams76]

Still, the price of food is extremely low historically speaking. I'm not saying everybody is living in the lap of luxury and I'm certainly not rooting for the food prices to go up more but just putting everything in perspective. Everybody's got the big-screen TVs, the video games, the fancy cars and all those tablets, iPods and cell phones and whatnot.

People who muss and fuss about "hard times" really have no idea what they are talking about - historically speaking.

[JRandomFreeper]

Everybody's got the big-screen TVs, the video games, the fancy cars and all those tablets, iPods and cell phones and whatnot.

No, not everyone does. Some of us do without running hot water.

I've lived the mid 1800s lifestyle without electricity, running water, and access to grocery stores. I did that for almost 2 years.

You might want to get out more, and meet some of the people on the ground. It's not like the neat little picture you paint.

/johnny

[Kackikat]

Historically speaking.
We do however live in the present and not the past, so people will think relative to now, not yesterday. We cannot pay the bills from yesterday, and cell phones are some people’s only phone.

Online now seems necessary for most people due to checking or savings accounts, and keeping up with long distance family. WE could live without it, but business keeps it difficult.

Video games aren’t necessary but most computers come with some downloaded...TV is expensive, if you don’t want all reruns. I could live without tv, cell, or online...but then I did when I was young....this generation hasn’t.

[dragnet2]

Still, the price of food is extremely low historically speaking.

The problem is wages have been stagnate for 15+ years and the dollar becomes worth less all the time. This is kicking economic butt on the middle and lower income classes...All this while other products creep up and up.....Like gas...

[Balding_Eagle]

You are correct, and here is some data to back up your assertions:

“the key is that as a percentage of disposable income food prices remain ridiculously cheap. Yes, they’ve gone up, and sure wages have gone down, but it’s all about perspective. Food prices aren’t a big crisis, at least in America.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2616318/posts

[familyop]

"Everybody's got the big-screen TVs, the video games, the fancy cars and all those tablets, iPods and cell phones and whatnot."

Not here--not a one of those items, and no food stamps here either. Most people wouldn't believe that anyone could live on the small income here.

"And you are posting to Free Republic how?"

On a very old laptop that I bought used a few years ago and repaired several times since. The power supply is a small PV solar system that we put together with components from various sources. Access is wireless and cheap. Cell phones were bought used and cheap. Cell phone access can be cheap and prepaid. The vehicle is very old and repaired at home.

Today, low techs are not buying. Tomorrow, low techs will rule.