I'd argue this is probably one of his most right on complaints. The cost of living has increased quite a lot compared to wages, and other forms of compensation: housing; food' gas prices (until late); traffic tickets; movies; restaurants/cafes; clothing. It''s really lame.

I don't know where you live, but where I live k a year is high poverty /lowest middle class.

Wolff explains it here: http://poetv.com/video.php?vid=45846

Also, if you do watch Wolff allow me to say, while you may have issues with his prescriptions, his analysis is sound.

15 cents in 1940 adjusted for inflation is about .50

One has to wonder with more efficient modern farming techniques, massive economy of scale, why some of this crap doesn't get cheaper. Anyone an economist?

On the plus side, Microwaves, TV and the Internet.

One of the reasons Corn Flakes cost more is because they spend a buttload more on advertising than they used to. My store-brand Tasty-Os (and Honey-Nut Tasty-Os) are less than .50 a box.

Also forgot that oil (and gasoline) is almost definitely more expensive in the US than it was in the '40s. Oil prices count for not only for transportation costs but also fertilizer and probably a few other significant costs that I can't think of off the top of my head.

Actually, Rooney's historically been 60 Minutes' big draw.

He was suspended from the show once for saying ""too much alcohol, too much food, drugs, homosexual unions, cigarettes [are] all known to lead... to premature death." CBS got a bunch of letters from cranky old people, and 60 Minutes' ratings took a severe hit. Rooney got reinstated after a couple of weeks.

The thing is the people who watch 60 minutes are exactly like him. They sit at home (they can't stand anymore) and say "Yeah! I remember when it was 15 cents! Kids these days!"

Luckily they all have about 12 seconds to live.

The loading screen was a Pfizer ad for me. It's possible that Pfizer's using Andy Rooney as a marketing tool.

Remember when Andy Rooney was that annoying little boy down the street? I do!

It was his regularly-scheduled 4:27 PM mini-stroke. Like clockwork, it is.