Re:Why the (US) Rich Are Getting Richer
by yummyfajitas on Tuesday January 11, 2011 @10:01PM
(#2094737)
No, the average salary has been largely unchanged when adjusted for chained CPI. Chained CPI != inflation since the basket of goods changes with time. To measure inflation, you need to measure the cost of the 1970's basket of goods in 2010 dollars. Modern medicine, cell phones, computers, HDTVs, etc must all be excluded. CPI doesn't do this.
Further, even taking chained CPI as a measure of inflation, it's known to overestimate inflation by about 1.3% at least until 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boskin_Commission). Taking Boskin-corrected CPI as a measure of inflation, wages have increased 40% over 40 years.
Further, even taking chained CPI as a measure of inflation, it's known to overestimate inflation by about 1.3% at least until 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boskin_Commission). Taking Boskin-corrected CPI as a measure of inflation, wages have increased 40% over 40 years.