Cost-of-Living Comparisons

“Good Ol’ Days, Maybe, but Not Too Cheap” (March 27) claims that things are cheaper today based upon what a working hour can buy. That precipitates the following questions:

If so, why are so many more young couples both working at full-time jobs in their efforts to make ends meet than in times past? Why are so many people forced to work at more than one job?

While such things as computer speed and capacity are cheaper, how many nutritional calories can be extracted from five megabytes?

How does our vast and growing segment of retirees on fixed incomes apply present-day alleged higher work-hour purchasing power to the acquisition of life’s necessities such as food, clothing, housing and medical-dental services, all of which costs are soaring out of control?

MAURICE R. COMMANDAY

Palos Verdes Estates

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This article is a testament that, yes, the power of our dollar has grown since 1950. That’s great news. That’s what our parents wanted for us, for us to have it better than they did. It’s what I want for my kids.

But the one aspect your article missed is the effect of taxes on the typical American family. In 1950, the average family paid less than 5% of their annual income to cover their tax burden (federal, state, county, sales and property taxes). Today, that amount is more than 40% and growing.

That is why so many families must put the kids in day care and put both Mom and Dad in the workplace to make ends meet.

ANDREAS J. WITTGREN

Long Beach