Factor in inflation and that is a loss of real wages.
The Consumer Price Index shows the increase for the year of 2003 was 1.9% meaning wages and benefits increased at DOUBLE the rate of inflation.
I don't think your read my post very carefully. Why don't you go look up what the consumer price index includes and how it is figured and then compare it to what the middle class and lower people have to spend to maintain their lives. I gave a very precise example from my own life, and everyone I know concurs that their situations are similar. increasing credit card debt is reflective of a real wage loss, as are several other indicators that also aren't considered, such as number of bankruptcies.
You can believe whatever figures are fed to you by the overlords as you wish, but most people are going to look at their personal conditions to determine if their wages have actually gone up or not.