[Luis Gonzalez]

1974 per capita income US $ 5,676.00
2002 per capita income US $30,941.00

American Institute for Economic Research Cost of Living Calculator results:

$5,676.00 in 1974 equals to $20,712.22 in 2002.

$5,676.00 equaled a $109.15 a week salary.
$30,941.00 equals a $595.02 a week salary.

Ten gallons of gasoline in 1974= $5.28, or 4.8% of weekly salary.

Ten gallons of gasoline in 2002= $15.10, or 2.5% of weekly salary.

Things ain't as you say they are.

[upcountryhorseman]

Regarding the real wages issue; Since 1973, when free trade started in this country, there has been a disconnect between
productivity and real income(1982 dollars). As productivity increased, real income decreased. This is shown by examining productivity and real wages from 1950 to 1990. From 1950 to 1973, productivity increased as manufacuring wages and average wages increased. But, from 1973 to 1990, as productivity continued to increase, manufacturing wages
and average wages both decreased.

[upcountryhorseman]

Convert this to 1982 dollars.