Let’s assume 1960 (JFK election) was the last “good year” in the USA. What has actually happened with inflation since?

Photo above - The good old days. Was 1960 the last "normal" year in America? You could get a newspaper for 10 cents.

I get 100 spam pieces a day ranting about inflation in America. This is a lot, but I couldn't say how much the spam rate has increased.

So I did the next best thing: I used the official US government dollar inflation website (link below) to calculate what happened to the US dollar since 1960. It’s big number, and a round one: 999% inflation. Something that cost $1 in 1960 theoretically costs $11 today. According to the US government. They wouldn't lie to us, would they?

I decided to check the online inflation calculator against some real-world purchases. If you want to have a cheerful and happy day, please don’t read any further.

1 – F150 pickup. America’s best-selling vehicle. According to several websites, this stickered for $4,000 in 1960. The average sale price in 2025 was $60,100. You could pay more – a lot more – for the nice ones, but let’s stick to average. The F150 price increased by 1,500%. Way more than the official 999% inflation rate. In Ford's defense, let me concede that the 2025 models can tow more and have bigger tires. But still . . .

2 – College Tuition. No, I am NOT going to cite “Harvard” because nobody you know actually went there. Let’s use Arizona State University instead. America’s largest public university. In 1960, tuition was $186. Not a misprint - $186 a semester for in-state students. In 2025 a semester (full 6 course hours) would be $5,416. Without dorm, meal plan, or parking. Still, that doesn’t look bad next to Harvard. However the ASU single semester price increase is THREE THOUSAND PERCENT. For a government run education. I don’t think this kind of stuff ever makes it into the official CPI data.

3 – Appendectomy – This one is especially tricky. Hospital costs are all over the map, as are hospitals. Best I could come up with: $418 in 1960 (before insurance), including a week’s stay in a hospital room for recovery. Today’s cost seems to average $20,000. How long you get to stay in that room varies too, but 1-2 days if there are no complications is the norm. Price increase: 5,000 percent – 5 times the official CPI inflation rate. I warned you to stop reading, didn’t I? I doubt putting the government in charge of hospitals will rein in medical inflation, after seeing what they did to college tuition.

4 – Grab bag – local costs may vary: Big Mac, up 1,400%. Converse sneakers – 2,000%. Washington post single copy – up from 10 cents to $3 (3000%)

Median US income for 1960 was $3,000. Today it’s 1,800% higher: $53,010. But we all feel poor, unless our last name is Musk, Bezos, or Swift.

As I said at the beginning – the official government data could be completely made up BS. How would we even know? And what did we expect from a bunch of guys who borrowed $38 trillion in our name which they never intend to repay?

I’m just sayin’ . . .

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value From 1913-2026

Easily calculate how the buying power of the U.S. dollar has changed from 1913 to 2026. Get inflation rates and U.S. inflation news.

 www.usinflationcalculator.com

Fix Sales Problems. What do you see as the biggest sales problems companies have today that they need to fix?

The Born Again Gospel .  The Born Again Gospel

You are a created being, made in the image of a Holy God but, no one on Earth can be Holy so, God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins by dying on a cross. He was placed in a tomb and on the third day His God and Father raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to the Throne of Heaven. God has made this Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ. And, Jesus: The Son of Man, will return to take us to be with Him forever and ever. Amen. 

Romans 10:8-13

...“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” And, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified And, with your mouth you confess and are saved.

It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between a Jew or a gentile, for the same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who "call" on Him, for, “Everyone who "calls" on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 3:3

 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you! No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Becoming Born Again is 'known' by The Initial Evidence of The Holy Spirit. 

1st Corinthians 12:3

 Therefore, I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

1st Corinthians 14:1 

Earnestly pursue "love", (Galatian 5:22,23 The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.) and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, (1st Corinthians 12-14) and especially that you might prophesy.

Luke 11:13 Therefore if you, being evil, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father who is in Heaven give the Holy Spirit, to those who 'ask' Him."

Here is an example prayer.

Almighty God and Father, I believe You raised your Son Jesus from the dead. Please forgive me of all my sins and fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can bear good fruit and do Your will, in the name of Jesus my Lord and Christ. Amen. Thank you Father God, Thank you Lord Jesus. Halleluyah!

Matthew 6:8-15 

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 2nd Timothy 2:19

My name is Arnold J. Bur and I am an Elohimist.

1001 Albums Generator. I've been using the 1001 Albums Generator for a few months now, where it emails you an album from that list of albums to listen to each day. So far there have been a few surprises, some validation that I don't like certain artists, and even got me listening to a Janet Jackson album. 

What's your Favorite movie and why?

Mines probably Last of the Mohicans because it's amazing.

Frozen Wednesday Feb 4. Frozen Wednesday.

The ground is still locked in ice. The trees are quiet. Even the deer step softer when the world feels this tense.

Nancy Guthrie is still missing — a family somewhere living every parent-child nightmare in real time.

Alex Pretti’s death has now been ruled a homicide, and the questions that follow feel heavier than the winter air.

The Epstein files continue to ripple across the world, upsetting old power structures and reminding us that truth has a way of surfacing — even when buried deep.

Meanwhile, the president is openly talking about national elections, and Americans are once again leaning forward, listening carefully, deciding what kind of country we want to be.

And yet… the Super Bowl is this weekend. Millions will gather, food will be made, laughter will spill across living rooms. Because that is also who we are — people who keep living, keep connecting, even while history churns around us.

This is the strange rhythm of being human:
fear and football, grief and groceries, uncertainty and love.

Stay warm. Stay aware. Stay kind to one another.

Strong humans don’t look away — but we also don’t forget how to hold each other up.

❄️

I m a bit of a mess but I think my perspective will resonate . Hello   I hope everyone is having a phenomenal day in new here. I’m a 53 yr single mother of 2 adult sons . I live alone with my Boston terrier In rural Arkansas . I’m a entrepreneur author, an advocate. I’m a fantastic friend to have .i view the world from a different perspective than some. I love to laugh amd iy really helps me deal with bipolar 2

Morning continues. This morning came easily.

Sunlight scattered itself across yesterday’s ice,
still waiting on the shovel,
still holding the memory of the storm.

For a moment, the world felt simple again.

And then the noise found its way in —
through screens, through headlines, through the restless places people gather.

I saw something meant to shrink other human beings.
Something careless. Something cruel.
The kind of thing that tries to make us forget who we are to one another.

But the sun did not withdraw.
The ice kept melting.
Somewhere nearby, a bird insisted on singing anyway.

It reminded me:

Smallness is loud.
Dignity is quieter — but it lasts longer.

So today I choose the wider path.
The one where we recognize each other as human.
The one where light reaches everyone.

Morning continues.
It always does.

And so will we. 🌟

An Introduction. My name is Eric Stevens 

I want to be clear about who I am and why I am here.

I recently published my book, Evolution Mine: Genesis.
You can read it for free here:
https://nowweevolve.com/view-the-book

I made it free on purpose. The idea matters more than the money.

For the last 15 years, I have been working inside the systems most people only argue about from the outside. Global trade. Manufacturing. Supply chains. Policy. Commodities. Labor. Capital flow.

I helped Vietnam enter the World Trade Organization in 2007, ironically on my birthday. I have worked with governments, factories, military-adjacent systems, and private industry. I have seen how decisions made far from communities quietly reshape jobs, materials, and power at the local level.

Most of my life was spent in Los Angeles. I recently moved to Dallas, where the political and cultural polarization is impossible to ignore. The fights feel louder. The solutions feel thinner.

I am a father of six. I am married to an incredible Salvadoran woman. I am politically independent, not because I avoid responsibility, but because I do not believe any single ideology owns the truth.

What I am building is not a movement in the emotional sense. It is an economic one.

Our society talks about systems as if they are beliefs. They are not. Systems are built on inputs. Commodities. Materials. Energy. Logistics. Whoever controls those controls everything downstream.

That insight sits at the center of everything I do.

Through these platforms, I am working on one integrated effort:

Now We Evolve
https://nowweevolve.com

The Bioeconomy Foundation
https://thebioeconomyfoundation.org

American Fiber Group
https://theamericanfibergroup.com

Together, they focus on one question most debates avoid.

What happens if we change the materials the economy depends on?

Hemp and bamboo are not symbols. They are commodities. They grow locally. They scale horizontally. They support regional processing. They anchor manufacturing close to communities. They change money flow, job creation, and who holds power.

This work is not anti-capitalist or pro-corporate. It is pro-reality.

If you want different outcomes, you do not argue harder. You replace the inputs.

That is what I am here to discuss.
Not outrage. Not slogans.
Industrial math, material systems, and practical paths forward.

If that resonates, you are in the right place.

What's in a question...". Here's a scenario...
I say something. It could be anything but for the sake of argument, "I hope Trump runs for a third term."

People in hearing range are heard to ask (examples):
   - What do you mean by that?
   - Umm, have you read the Constitution?
   - Why?
   - How do you think that benefits the country?

My interest... Which, if any, of those questions might be considered an invitation to dialogue? Which might elicit a defensive or angry response? If we accept a premise that Our country is being damaged by polarization and hostility, how do we engage with one another to explore the why's behind opinions held? What is your base response when someone asks you a question?

I have observed what I think is shift in definition (or perception) regarding the purpose of a question. To some extent, I think the use and nature of questions has been placed in a negative light. And, that is hazardous to Our ability to gather and analyze information as well as Our opportunities communicate about important societal issues.

At a base level, how much does tone of voice matter? Does who asked -how they look- matter? Does the choice of words affect your response? The time or place? How much of your response is determined primarily by how you interpret the question versus how the questioner might have intended it?

Additional circumstances where I wonder about questions and what they mean or do...
   - How often does a politician who represents you ask your opinion before voting on a matter?
   - Are public polls and surveys able to collect opinion fairly? (I.E., Shouldn't there generally be a "None of the above" option for almost everything you've ever been asked? Or, data about who is taking the poll and for what purpose? I am tired of being forced to answer in a way that defines my 'social box' incorrectly.)
   - Particularly with regard to evaluation of programs, we are asked to place ourselves in various classifications. Income, race, faith, address, age - you know what I mean. These "metrics" are quantitative and objective but... Who decides on the ranges?; Who decides on definitions? When we are measuring whether the quality of someones life has improved, do we need more 'humetrics'?

Have I perhaps managed to kindle curiosity in a dark corner ? :-) It seems to me that this is worth thinking and talking about. It may be part of healing and finding our individual agency to affect the world. It might also be a part of solving problems in a way that promotes positive-sum outcomes. 

AMA with Liv Boeree on incentive traps, game theory, and win-wins. AMA with Liv Boeree -poker champion with a background in astrophysics here to slay Molog- & Jordan Myska Allen on incentive traps, game theory, and win-wins | UpTrust launch event | #heywait, can we do better?

AMA with Liv Boeree on incentive traps, game theory, and win-wins. AMA with Liv Boeree -poker champion with a background in astrophysics here to slay Molog- & Jordan Myska Allen on incentive traps, game theory, and win-wins | UpTrust launch event | #heywait, can we do better?

GAZA BOARD OF PEACE. Why are alot of men from the Epstein files part of the Gaza Board of Peace?. These men are hand picked by Trump. 47% of Gaza's population are children under 18 year of age.. 

If You Can't Make Peace With Your Partner, How Can You Expect to Make Peace in the World? AMA with Annie Lalla

If You Can't Make Peace With Your Partner, How Can You Expect to Make Peace in the World? AMA with Annie Lalla