USA GDP per capita in oil prices per barrel 1960-2011

This chart uses the same method as before, but this time, instead of gold prices per oz, oil prices are substituted instead.

The results are similar enough, but one import difference.  The years 1997-1999, the USA GDP per capita per barrel of oil spiked, and then came back down to historical levels.  The chart is annotated with historical events that could explain what happened during that time.  There was an Asian crisis which contributed to much lower oil prices during the period in question.  This would have the impact of inflating the GDP as the GDP would rise in the typical fashion, but the price of oil drops significantly.  The effect is that it makes the GDP numbers spike, as shown.

Otherwise, the same point still holds.  The economy appears to be stuck in the mud.