There is something that ever person in this country should be concerned about. At issue is how are we going to survive for the next 70 years. Of serious concern is what kind of economy will we have.

There are some very intelligent writers that submit articles to The Post-Journal. Masters Degrees, PhD’s Doctors Degree’s, economists, professors, etc. and I am wondering if they could help me out. I hope someone will write in to The Post-Journal and let me know what their opinion is and even if I am totally wrong in my assessment. I am only reporting what I have observed over a 70-year period.

One of the problems is that people who are employed want pay increase to keep up with inflation. This means that your taxes will continue to increase with no end in sight. The other problem is inflation. I’m sure you have noticed the increases in prices in the stores. Items have increased by 25%, to 50% to 75% and some have increase by 100%.

If you purchased an item in 1945 for $1 that same item would cost you $16.95 today. If you purchased an item in 1945 for $100 that same item today would cost you $1,698.28 today. If you were to purchased a house in 1945 for $10,000 that same home would cost you $169,505 today. That’s why your sons and daughters might be living with you. Don’t take my word for it, do the math yourself.

In 1945 gas was costing 30 cents a gallon. Today that gallon of gas is around $4 and climbing. That’s an increase of 1,598%. So, what approximately is gas going to cost in about another 70 years? If we do the math it will be around $80 to $100 a gallon. If you have a 20 gallon tank that will be about $1,600 to $2,000 a gallon. Not possible you say. It already increased 1,598% since 1945. Hence the push for electric vehicles.

If you are thinking of retiring you should talk to your financial advisor. We have the highest rate of inflation in 42 years. You should be concerned because it makes money saved today less valuable than tomorrow. Inflation erodes our purchasing power and can even interfere with the ability to retire. For example, if an investor earned 5% from investments in stocks and bonds, but the inflation rate was 3%, the investor only earned 2% in real terms.

If that’s not enough bad news, here is more. First just look around you. Our community is crumbling. Crime is on the rise along with murders. Smash and run are now the vogue things to do. There is no punishment to deter people from acting corrupt. Defund the police is the new mantra. We have the highest inflation rate in 42 years (around 8% last year and at the present time 10% in 2023). Catch and release has done nothing for us and a lot against us. Crime is going dictate how you live your life. Open borders has helped the illegal entry into our country while our homeless and veterans live in squalor on the streets.

Stores are shutting down, 5,000 since 2022 and 2023 so far. Some are downsizing — Walgreens, JCPenney, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Bed & Bath, Big Lots, CVS, Foot Locker, Macy’s, The Gap, Walmart, Target, Sears, Rite Aid, Amazon stores, Kmart just to mention a few.

People like to put the blame on our politicians. That’s a mistake. They are only doing what they were elected to do. The biggest threats to our democracy are the party line voters (voting for dummies) and the none voters including Republicans and Democrats. They can’t think for themselves so they rely on the party to think for them. Then you have the none voters who complain profusely and don’t vote.

The average annual household income in Jamestown is $48,656 . Do the math and you will find out that a family of four cannot survive on a $48,656 income if you take out 30% for taxes. Therefor both spouses must be employed.

How did this happen? Who let it happen? We, the people, let it happen, that’s who. And no one seems to care.

Some people are buying gold as hedge against inflation or a medium of exchange for goods and services for the future when things fall apart. Well, I have news for you. If I have gold and the people on my block have nothing how long do think I will survive.

If you think that things will heal themselves you are just whistling through the grave yard. And if you think this is just a bunch of bull you better wake up and smell the coffee. It already has started and it is happening now. If you are comfortable with the way things are now and the direction we are heading then do nothing.

Bruce Piatz is a Jamestown resident.