Wealth, income and living standards—not the same

"The humblest working-class American today enjoys a standard of living and an array of amenities and comforts — from air travel to contact lenses to overnight package delivery — far superior to most of what even a billionaire like John D. Rockefeller could have commanded a century ago." Don Boudreaux, George Mason University, via Jeff Jacoby.

Ask anyone my age about this. After WWII my parents moved from their comfortable 2 bedroom 1 bath home in Mt. Morris to Forreston for dad's job with Standard Oil.  It was a farmhouse on the west end of town, 4 bedrooms, no bathroom (had an outhouse), and a hand pump for cold water in the kitchen. I'm sure my mother was horrified with 4 children, but it was 1946 and a lot of people were in the same situation. She rolled up her sleeves and learned carpentry and plumbing and we soon had a functioning bathroom and kitchen. A year later we moved to a nicer home with 1.5 baths, beautiful wood work, and a nice office for my father.  The economy was booming, and we were moving on up.

To fill your gas tank

isn't the only issue, although you'd think so if you listened to the news. We've returned to Columbus from Lakeside, and yes, paying $3.99 for gasoline on the peninsula (it was $3.83 in Columbus and $4.25 in Toledo) wasn't fun. But we were also driving on asphalt roads, and the upholstery, windshield wipers, brake fluid and sun visors not to mention the battery case, bumpers, antifreeze, lubricants, hoses, tires, and wire coating of my van were also from petroleum products. And I brought along my computer, chewed gum and dabbed on a little Vasoline. Yes, we heat our homes and fuel our cars, but we also use petroleum in hundreds of products. We can't even imagine our lives without it. But some can. Yes, they scream alarmist warnings, make-up phony carbon footprints, but they really want us to go without.

One of the most striking things about the photos of the earthquake in China, was the obvious growth in consumer goods we saw. Even in rural China, which used to be a wasteland for modern products and technology, now appears to definitely be experiencing a high standard of living that even 5 or 10 years ago would have been unthinkable. Their relief effort and management was incredible--much of it done with modern products made from petroleum. We are millions; China and India are billions. Our energy needs have flattened; theirs is growing at a phenomenal rate. All the 'green' talk barking at us from the TV, magazines and Democrats is one of two options--a marketing scheme to tear down our current infrastructure and housing, starting over at even higher energy costs, particularly for the poor, or an effort to force us all return to an 18th century standard of living through regulatory agencies we haven't elected. Your move.

Short list: Ammonia, Anesthetics, Antihistamines, Artificial limbs, Artificial Turf, Antiseptics, Aspirin, Auto Parts, Awnings, Balloons, Ballpoint pens, Bandages, Beach Umbrellas, Boats, Cameras, Candles, Car Battery Cases, Carpets, Caulking, Combs, Cortisones, Cosmetics, Crayons, Credit Cards, Curtains, Deodorants, Detergents, Dice, Disposable Diapers, Dolls, Dyes, Eye Glasses, Electrical Wiring Insulation, Faucet Washers, Fishing Rods, Fishing Line, Fishing Lures, Food Preservatives, Food Packaging, Garden Hose, Glue, Hair Coloring, Hair Curlers, Hand Lotion, Hearing Aids, Heart Valves, Ink, Insect Repellant, Insecticides, Linoleum, Lip Stick, Milk Jugs, Nail Polish, Oil Filters, Panty Hose, Perfume, Petroleum Jelly, Rubber Cement, Rubbing Alcohol, Shampoo, Shaving Cream, Shoes, Toothpaste, Trash Bags, Upholstery, Vitamin Capsules, Water Pipes, Yarn