. A 3.1 mega pixel digital camera I paid $265.00 for a year and a half ago .....//.......The 3.1 mega pixel cameras are now selling for $149
A 32 inch TV that cost almost $900.00 in the early 1990's can be bought for a bit over $300.00 today.
Hmmm, that should make everyone that buys flat screen monitors, digital cameras and 32 inch TV sets every week very happy.
However, to the rest of the population that have experienced wage stagnation, wage concessions or lower income from replacement jobs for those that have been moved off shore or outsourced the price increases in necessary consumables are a factor.
For an example look at the aviation industry and the billions in wage concessions the pilots, flight attendants and white collar workers have taken. That's a lot of buying power that has been lost.
Tell the thousands of mechanics at Northwest Airlines that went on strike at midnight because the airline wanted to cut their numbers and ask for a wage concession to accept a 25% wage cut because it will be equaled out by the bargain price on their next digital camera and flat screen TV they purchase.
Perhaps to your way of thinking as long as they get a good deal on something they would only buy once every 5 - 10 years then they are in 'hog heaven'?