General Discussion

Mimosa

(9,131 posts)

163. America's standard of living has declined drastically since the 1970s

Tue Apr 10, 2012, 10:19 AM

Apr 2012

Are you living in the same United States of America as the rest of us? Are you among the fortunate whose income is stable?

Because such is not the case for the majority.

http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/2010/decline.htm

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

197 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Since Free Traders believe America should lower its standard of living to help the rest of the world [View all] Zalatix Apr 2012 OP

Du rec. Nt xchrom Apr 2012 #1

Not that anyone said that treestar Apr 2012 #2

Actually, you did say we should accept a lower standard of living. Zalatix Apr 2012 #3

How is that last sentence going to happen? treestar Apr 2012 #6

How do you explain your hatred of American workers? Zalatix Apr 2012 #9

How is your last sentence, in your previous post going to happen? treestar Apr 2012 #32

"When made here, the cost will be such that only the 1% can afford them. Get real. " Occulus Apr 2012 #50

Treestar should have been around to tell that to Henry Ford. Zalatix Apr 2012 #52

It's not working any more treestar Apr 2012 #161

Free trade isn't working anymore. Zalatix Apr 2012 #165

You're not strong on history, are you? Zalatix Apr 2012 #51

someone sure is frothing, that's for sure... dionysus May 2012 #193

Someone's backed very far into a corner. Zalatix May 2012 #194

if you are proud of that low rent browbeating... dionysus May 2012 #196

The dwindling number of free traders are browbeating themselves with their own lame arguments. Zalatix May 2012 #197

Oh, COME on. That's patently silly. HughBeaumont Apr 2012 #57

Sorry but the free traders have left with their tail between their legs. Zalatix Apr 2012 #60

Indeed. Marr Apr 2012 #110

The factories moved there due to cheaper labor treestar Apr 2012 #160

And our wages are lower, too, why do you keep forgetting that part? Zalatix Apr 2012 #190

Well I don't know the solution treestar Apr 2012 #191

Americans will pay a higher price for things. They have no choice. Zalatix May 2012 #195

Yeah right abelenkpe Apr 2012 #66

Right on point Abel...! happerbolic Apr 2012 #68

You are superbly out of touch with reality. girl gone mad Apr 2012 #150

Treestar, I understand what you're saying. Doremus Apr 2012 #192

Is it xenophobia to think companies that go to other countries.... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Apr 2012 #140

No, I would support that treestar Apr 2012 #143

xenophobia sudopod Apr 2012 #157

LOL!!! Fell out of my chair laughing. Zalatix Apr 2012 #184

America's standard of living has declined drastically since the 1970s Mimosa Apr 2012 #163

Imports are okay, as long as: KamaAina Apr 2012 #71

Well said, it seems Treestar wants to argue the straw man point Zalatix Apr 2012 #73

They are repeating their John Birtch Society talking points against anything that might RB TexLa Apr 2012 #4

And you are repeating your hatred for America talking points Zalatix Apr 2012 #5

We have millions of non-citizens working here. dkf Apr 2012 #106

It's the old limited pie theory treestar Apr 2012 #7

Yes, anything a forigner has they stole from an American RB TexLa Apr 2012 #8

People who defend sending American jobs overseas are sick-minded. Zalatix Apr 2012 #11

Wow, you argue just like a right winger treestar Apr 2012 #24

You argue just like the Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage Foundation. Zalatix Apr 2012 #49

Huh? treestar Apr 2012 #90

What IS your beef with American workers? We don't steal Swedish jobs. We don't steal anyone's jobs. Zalatix Apr 2012 #93

So if a foreign company invests here treestar Apr 2012 #117

Again you don't understand what a trade deficit means. Zalatix Apr 2012 #122

If a company invests here, it's to sell to OUR market, not to their own Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #145

You're not very good at this. nt sudopod Apr 2012 #158

You're never going to stop their longing for the 1800's These are the same people who hate RB TexLa Apr 2012 #77

increasing homelessness = progress? decreasing wages in the face of rising costs = progress? HiPointDem Apr 2012 #80

Your definition of progress is impoverishing American workers. Zalatix Apr 2012 #91

Yes, I wonder where they were when jobs moved from one state to another treestar Apr 2012 #92

Foolish, stupid, brainless argument. I can move to NC. I can't move to China. Zalatix Apr 2012 #96

so do you. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #79

Why your sick-minded hatred of America is on its way out Zalatix Apr 2012 #13

The limited pie theory is true. We are losing jobs here. And you want to keep it that way. Zalatix Apr 2012 #10

It is false and dumb treestar Apr 2012 #28

Why don't you tell our homeless kids that they need to lower their standard of living? Zalatix Apr 2012 #30

Why don't you answer my point? treestar Apr 2012 #33

You have no point, except "Bleed America dry". Zalatix Apr 2012 #46

Answer the question treestar Apr 2012 #118

You STILL have no point, except "Bleed America dry of jobs". That has always been your point. Zalatix Apr 2012 #123

Globalization has WORSENED the lot of the urban poor in India Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #146

The globalists always ignore this point. girl gone mad Apr 2012 #151

Right.... HiPointDem Apr 2012 #82

I see you fled in terror from the prospect of explaining your Anti-America views to homeless kids Zalatix Apr 2012 #12

Notice the ones arguing with you never offer their own jobs up to be sent overseas? NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #17

Damned well said. And you'll REALLY never get a response to that. Zalatix Apr 2012 #19

They can have my job treestar Apr 2012 #29

Bullshit. Why don't you quit your job now? A worker in China needs it. Zalatix Apr 2012 #34

OK so you also advocate that no jobs come to the US from another country, right? treestar Apr 2012 #36

Bwaaaaaaahahahahahahahah do you even understand basic economics? Seriously? Zalatix Apr 2012 #42

What a lot of nonsense you've just posted there treestar Apr 2012 #84

We do not gain jobs. We have a net LOSS of jobs. Your argument is bullshit. Zalatix Apr 2012 #88

Gain jobs? Why don't you tell the liberalhistorian Apr 2012 #105

*Crickets* Zalatix Apr 2012 #113

Who are you to decide the time frame in which someone should answer? treestar Apr 2012 #119

Your hatred for American workers is showing again. Zalatix Apr 2012 #121

No one is blaming non-citizens. We are blaming liberalhistorian Apr 2012 #131

You didn't mention what your job is before pulling the "illegal alien", card NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #43

Why does it matter? treestar Apr 2012 #86

Far more jobs move abroad than jobs come in. FACT. Your argument is outright ridiculous. Zalatix Apr 2012 #89

Poster has said he/she is an attorney brentspeak Apr 2012 #107

You're absolutely correct..... n/t OhioChick Apr 2012 #115

This message was self-deleted by its author closeupready Apr 2012 #136

If that is true, then it's tantamount to an untruth for him/her to claim closeupready Apr 2012 #139

"The clothing industry had illegal aliens - when it became harder to employ them HiPointDem Apr 2012 #83

So did you miss employer sanctions? treestar Apr 2012 #87

Did you miss that most of the textile industry moved overseas long before employer sanctions? HiPointDem Apr 2012 #97

Have you read Naomi Klein's books? Mimosa Apr 2012 #171

Nor will they ever say what the "Next Big Thing" is that will replace the outgoing jobs. HughBeaumont Apr 2012 #41

Oh, don't be so narrow minded. LOL the next big thing is "somewhere over the rainbow." Zalatix Apr 2012 #44

Maybe it's "Pot O Gold" mining? HughBeaumont Apr 2012 #58

Hold up, according to Treestar, Pot-O-Gold mining should be done by illegals Zalatix Apr 2012 #59

"We should train our kids for the jobs of tomorrow" kenny blankenship Apr 2012 #78

Of course not. They see themselves as unexpendable. PassingFair Apr 2012 #54

I remember during little boots newspeak Apr 2012 #14

A global workers' union would work, too. Zalatix Apr 2012 #22

I've been saying that for 15 years abelenkpe Apr 2012 #69

People are homeless or starving all over the world treestar Apr 2012 #40

Wow, your arguments are loaded with hate for America, and hatred for logic, too. Zalatix Apr 2012 #45

Easy resort to that treestar Apr 2012 #116

Those are the facts. You have nothing but disdain for American workers. Zalatix Apr 2012 #124

"And people have sales jobs here...there are people working at the stores here." PassingFair Apr 2012 #62

"Basic understanding of the economy dictates that this stuff is about xenophobia or... resentment" HiPointDem Apr 2012 #94

Treestar just makes up these things as excuses for his hatred of US workers. Zalatix Apr 2012 #95

What a ridiculous post. girl gone mad Apr 2012 #152

It's not mysterious when the american worker is training the Indian replacment. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2012 #23

He can mitigate his guilt by giving his job to a Chinese or Indian worker. Zalatix Apr 2012 #26

Some people have a naive belief that their personal wellbeing is insulated from their countrymen. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2012 #35

Yup, until people can no longer afford college or those humanities classes. Zalatix Apr 2012 #39

Really, the globalists should really volunteer to give up their own jobs Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #138

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Zalatix Apr 2012 #141

You are advocating for homeless Chinese children to stay that way treestar Apr 2012 #31

I am advocating for homeless children to be given a home by parents who have jobs Zalatix Apr 2012 #37

I fully support an indian go to an indian college to become an indian engineer. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2012 #38

But according to treestar: "Save the third world, keep Americans unemployed". Zalatix Apr 2012 #47

The irony is that developing countries are highly dependent on selling stuff to us. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2012 #53

Treestar will NEVER address this basic fact. Zalatix Apr 2012 #55

Me too abelenkpe Apr 2012 #72

China can sell to the billions of Chinese. FredStembottom Apr 2012 #56

"It then suppresses internal Chinese demand" +1 HiPointDem Apr 2012 #99

"Homeless Chinese children" Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #144

More that the ruling class is taking bigger and bigger pieces, locally & globally. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #98

You know, it's one thing to see Third Way types drag their Marr Apr 2012 #111

No, RB, I want to see foreign workers paid wages that allow them to Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #135

You want to limit markets and limit the world. You want the world to be a bigger place where people RB TexLa Apr 2012 #154

No, I don't want to facilitate exploitation Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #155

You want to keep American workers unemployed. That's sad. Zalatix Apr 2012 #185

Our taxpayer funded World Police Force exists in order to protect the global Zorra Apr 2012 #70

Most excellent post Oilwellian Apr 2012 #100

I'm very glad Zorra Apr 2012 #129

I could hug your post. Starry Messenger Apr 2012 #104

I meant to tell you earlier, Starry - Zorra Apr 2012 #130

This definitely needs to be its own diary. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #127

Dayum. Can I nominate this for the best of DU? Zalatix Apr 2012 #128

Sure. And thank you for the OP. Zorra Apr 2012 #132

Fantastic post. Please consider making it an OP. n/t myrna minx Apr 2012 #169

Yes, that is what I was always hoping for. Why do others have to be worse off so we can be better? gtar100 Apr 2012 #85

We can do both, but we have to get Republicans out of power... gulliver Apr 2012 #15

Stopping Republicans won't be far enough in the end. It'll only slow down our demise. Zalatix Apr 2012 #16

Stopping Republicans will do it. gulliver Apr 2012 #18

I'm just afraid the free traitors might decide to bribe Democrats once we kick the Republicans out. Zalatix Apr 2012 #20

Have a little faith in your fellow Democrats. gulliver Apr 2012 #25

Why? It was Clinton who signed NAFTA Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #137

It's not enough. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2012 #27

Flood the Congress with Democrats. Rid it of Republicans. gulliver Apr 2012 #81

Actually, we would need to replace all the Republicans with Bernie Sanders-type Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2012 #147

K&R varelse Apr 2012 #21

Correction guitar man Apr 2012 #48

^^ +1 ^^ rucky Apr 2012 #63

That's the real reasoning. pa28 Apr 2012 #65

Help the rest of the world? Iggo Apr 2012 #61

Free trade can be a good thing. raouldukelives Apr 2012 #64

That is not free trade according to the freetraders. TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #108

This cycle repeats itself over and over and over abelenkpe Apr 2012 #67

Correction; They believe that your standard of living should be crushed Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #74

"When... trade agreements that are...mutually beneficial are proposed, they...oppose them" +1 HiPointDem Apr 2012 #102

So there were no homeless children before free trade? mythology Apr 2012 #75

If other nations have caught up, then they don't need to take our jobs, right? Zalatix Apr 2012 #76

You think countries own jobs? The concept of countries is quickly moving to the ash bin of history RB TexLa Apr 2012 #109

Absolute bullshit, and you have no facts to back that up. Zalatix Apr 2012 #112

What people do you think are not your people? Your people are only those in your country? RB TexLa Apr 2012 #114

You really like excluding American workers, don't you? You HATE that we FIGHT BACK Zalatix Apr 2012 #126

They are not excluded, Americans are part of the world like everyone else. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #153

Yes, American workers ARE being excluded from the global workforce. Zalatix Apr 2012 #156

I do not hate anyone. There is no reason to make up lies about a stranger on an internet blog. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #178

Yes you do. All you talk about is how we have to give up our jobs or else we're racist. Zalatix Apr 2012 #179

No one owns jobs. They are not a possession. And I do not hate anyone, there is no reason for RB TexLa Apr 2012 #180

I made up no lies about you. You need to take responsibility for what you've said. Zalatix Apr 2012 #181

A job is not a possession. Neither countries or people own jobs. That is just silly RB TexLa Apr 2012 #182

Once again, countries DO own jobs. Stop being naive. Zalatix Apr 2012 #183

I do not hate anyone. I have told you this. Are you not able to read? I really don't understand RB TexLa Apr 2012 #186

Hey, lie to yourself but don't expect to get away with lying to ME. Zalatix Apr 2012 #187

Wow, so you plan to memorize a stranger's user name on an internet message board RB TexLa Apr 2012 #188

Let's see, which major mental malfunction are you suffering from? Zalatix Apr 2012 #189

The fact that you keep ignoring is that we have made previous commitments to our citizens NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #133

*Crickets* I'll answer: RB TexLA doesn't care. Hence, no answer. Zalatix Apr 2012 #142

US "standard of living" (for some) is still built on taking over territory and resources. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #101

There were far fewer, and fewer still before the crazy took over in 1981. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #103

Rec n/t OhioChick Apr 2012 #120

Start by lowering CEO salaries. n/t ChromeFoundry Apr 2012 #125

Since free traders are afraid to bring their message to our homeless kids, how about this guy? Zalatix Apr 2012 #134

A lot of whoring for the free market in here whatchamacallit Apr 2012 #148

You sound confused NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #149

Cue the Twilight Zone music Mimosa Apr 2012 #164

Funny, the pro-offshoring arguments are alarmingly similar to what the US Chamber of Commerce says Zalatix Apr 2012 #166

Yeah, there seems to be a real shift happening whatchamacallit Apr 2012 #170

Reduce the trade deficit; increase GDP & median wage Supposn Apr 2012 #159

The American government should focus on Americans chrisa Apr 2012 #162

"We need jobs," you say. "Why," I ask? ieoeja Apr 2012 #167

Your post makes no sense at all. liberalhistorian Apr 2012 #168

Why? ieoeja Apr 2012 #176

Because such things cost money liberalhistorian Apr 2012 #177

I imagine that recognizing national borders LanternWaste Apr 2012 #172

I also imagine that all our food will be made by replicators Zalatix Apr 2012 #173

I imagine food may be grown despite the existence or non-existence LanternWaste Apr 2012 #174

Your dream of a borderless society is never, ever going to happen. Deal with it. Zalatix Apr 2012 #175