How long was the average commute during the 60's, which is that affordability index's baseline, vs. now? If people lived 20 minutes from work then, and more people live an hour from work now, gas may be more "affordable" compared to average income now, but if we use more of it now we're still more vulnerable.
Also, "disposable income" is usually defined as anything above basic necessities. IIRC it doesn't take into account education costs, which are a lot higher now than then. Do they think families don't worry about that because hey, it's not food and housing and medical care? It contributes to the sense of being squeezed.
Finally, the minimum wage's purchasing power was much better in the 60's than it is now. Yet another contributor to the population feeling "squeezed" is while the "average" person can afford gas better (in theory), it hits an even more vulnerable underclass extra hard.
These guys need to quit hiding behind stats and face the reality of the situation and the decisions consumers have to make. |
