So you do not have to Google it, this is 69 in Roman Numerals. I thought it was less painful in this form as my 11-07-1950 birthday is not a variable. I progressed through my early years and coincidentally graduated from High School in 1969. Looking back gives us pause, but I recall our class claimed “its going to be great, it is going to be fine, we are going to graduate in 69”. Pretty lame but we were busy drinking Coors and deep thoughts were not on the agenda. In that same year Mary Hopkins released a classic song produced by Paul McCartney that reminded us of the changes time would bring. “Once upon a time there was a tavern–where we used to raise a glass or two– remember how we laughed away the hours–and think of all the great things we would do. Those were the days my friend–we thought they’d never end–we’d sing and dance forever and a day–we live the life we choose–we fight and never lose….” I feel very fortunate to be able to look back and forward with a ‘smile’ on my face. So what were those days like and what was happening in our country?
In 1950 the average cost of a new house was $8450. The cost of a new car was $1510 and my parents paid for those things on an average salary of $3210. The battle of Osan saw American troops fight against North Korea for the first time. Kids watched Howdy Doody on 12 inch black and white TV sets. Finally shaking off the War and the Great Depression the man in the household became the primary bread winner. Milk was still delivered to the doorstep in Pocatello from Rowlands Dairy in very heavy glass jugs. The Comic strip Peanuts made its debut and Diners club issued the first credit card. It is fun to go back and look at the clothes that were popular in that day.
In 1969 with inflation on the rise, the average new home cost $15,550 and the average new car was $3270 but you could buy a Toyota Corolla for $1950. Our parents paid for those essentials on average income of $8550. Gas had gone up from 18 to 35 cents a gallon. We landed a man on the moon in July and again in November. We will never forget the national pride as Neil Armstrong declared “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The Beatles made their last live public performance on the roof of Apple records and Woodstock attracted more than 350,000 of our rock and roll fans. Vietnam created the need for a draft and it seems like my number might have been 69. Sesame Street and the muppets began entertaining and educating our kids. 1969 saw the first microprocessor, ATM, release of Abbey Road and bell bottoms and tye dye were cool.
Today the average cost of an American home is $231,000 and average income is $60,336. In Idaho the average income is $52,225 while the average home price in Boise is $359,000. Without the Albertsons gas discounts gas is over $3.00 per gallon. I will not update you on today’s news and trends. I believe our country has never been so divided. A recent Brookings institute study indicates 44% of Americans from 18 to 64 are earning low wages. Imagine 53 million of our fellow Americans making a median wage of $10.22 per hour or $17,950. Our country is at a crossroads today and visionary leaders are desperately needed.
Those were the days my friends and we must work together to make sure they never end. Enjoy the week end. Mike