Quote:
Originally Posted by dustman_stx
I'm not a statistician, but I think you've misinterpreted the data. The actual price trends always closer to the inflation adjusted price because the inflation adjusted price is in todays dollars. Todays actual price will sit on the adjusted price because we are using todays dollars. What you need to be looking at is only the inflation adjusted graph to make an accurate comparison of gas prices over time.
|
Oh, I understand the difference between the two graph lines, ALL of the red line is in todays dollars; and yes the adjusted price has crept up, but for most of that period the adjusted price has been above $2.60/gallon. I'll go back to my original point. In terms of the historical Cost of Living Index, today's gasoline is not unreasonably priced. And in real terms, considering that vehicles are getting at least double the mileage they were getting 30 years ago, it's actually a bargain. Home construction in the '60s was less than $20/square foot, and now you'd be hard put to build one for under $200. Read the posts about fuel prices in Canada, and in Germany! Yet, for some reason Americans think gasoline should be just "pocket money." The price has been driven largely by the emerging 3rd world countries' demand for fuel (China, etc.). Everyone wants to blame the "big oil" companies for the price increase.
When I could no longer afford the airplane, I gave up hobby flying. When I could no longer afford other expensive toys, I gave them up, too. And when I can no longer afford fuel for my MH, I'll get rid of it, too. We all make our choices. I choose to buy medical care, even though the cost of a doctor or hospital visit is many times what it once was. I guess its a matter of choosing between what's necessary and what's frivolous.
Thanks for your input. It's been good pause for thought!