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January 29, 2015

In 1901, the average "urban wage earner"

spent about 46 percent of their household budget on food and another 15 percent on apparel -- that's 61 percent of their annual income just to feed and clothe the family.

That does not include shelter, or fuel to heat your home and cook your food. By 1987, that same household spent less than 20 percent on food and a little over 5 percent of their budget on apparel. Since then, these numbers have fallen even further: Today, families with incomes of less than $5,000 a year still spend only 16 percent of the family budget on food and 3.5 percent on apparel. And that's not because we're eating less and wearing fewer clothes; in fact, it's the reverse.
When Bread Bags Weren't Funny - Bloomberg View

Posted by gerardvanderleun at January 29, 2015 7:25 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

It didn't take but 23 years to take us back a century. If one takes away all the federal subsidies, those in 1901 at least had jobs.

Hell, the numbers used are not even on the scale used for the poverty levels.

Posted by: Vermont Woodchuck [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 30, 2015 5:50 AM

"Today, families with incomes of less than $5,000 a year".

Should that read $50,000/year? I can't imagine that any family survives on $5,000/year. Hell, that wouldn't cover ciggies and booze.

Posted by: Syd B. [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 30, 2015 7:31 AM

The more you make the more they take and the less everybody has, except for them.

Strive to cut out the middle man, but only if you think you deserve it.

Posted by: ghostsniper [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 30, 2015 9:04 AM

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