I would like to share this link for anyone interested in history: It is a Ronald Reagan stump speech for Barry Goldwater's 1964 campaign. I have mixed feelings about Reagan's POTUS term. However, the man does deliver a good talk. Do you know the difference between an actor and a politician? Actors can be themselves at the end of filming. Politicians can be fake 24/7. Washington is full of actors that were not pretty enough for Hollywood. While the entire speech is good, take a look at 10:30 "9.3 million families are poverty stricken on the basis of earning less than $3000 per year". Consider that in 1964: Minimum wage was $1.15 ( x 40 x 52 = $2392/year) Silver was $1.30 $1 in circulating coins contained 0.715 To Ag Gold was $35.30 Gasoline was 0.30 / gal Milk was $1.05 / gal Four year college degree cost $5000. The poverty stricken families were earning the equivalent of 2600 oz Ag, or 85 oz Au annually. While bullion was not readily available in 1964, one could always take payment in coin which would net 2300 oz of "junk" silver for $3000. Today 2600 to Ag = $70,000 (2300 = $62K) 85 to Au = $153,000 I realize that many other factors are in play for the big picture. Just try to think from different perspectives. Were the poor that much better off 50 years ago? Or does it really take $60,000 a year (current) to get past the "poverty" line? I was too young in '64 to know much, but I think that my parents probably brought in about 5k usd year and I thought that we were doing fine. Please share your thoughts. Thanks
