Think you know what inflation is? Read this.

[the count]

I would like to know how many here realize what inflaton really is. Its not the official (bogus) CPI and PPI. And not even the 15% or whatever it is on shadowstats. Its much more sinister and devious than that. We, you, me, all of us, are doing the work that others used to do for us. Yes, that is inflation, when you get less for your money, not only when prices go up. You want examples? Tons of them. Travel agents? Thing of the past. You do that. Check in at the airport. You do that. Fill up your tank? You do that. Check out at the grocery store? You get my drift, right? No matter where you look, we are getting less for our money because we do the work others used to do. That is NOT progross dear friends, its INFLATION. Want more? Your car dealer now charges a 'diagnostic fee' which used to be called a free estimate. The hourly repair rate stayed the same so no effect on the stats! And it plays right into the hands of the politicians that exported thousands of our jobs to China, just to keep the actual price level of things down. The ponzi scheme must continue no matter the cost. Never mind we are just consumer robots now. Ron Paul is the greatest danger to the status quo thats why he will never be allowed to win.

EVEN THOUGH THEY (THE POWERS THAT BE) WILL DO ANYTHING TO KEEP RON FROM GETTING TRACTION WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ALL GO AND VOTE!

 

[acptulsa]

Ron Paul is the greatest danger to the status quo thats we he will never be allowed to win.

I was right with you. my old friend, until this point.

We, the People have the numbers, and We, the People can call the tune.

 

[kuckfeynes]

People like to save money inflation or not. I'd rather get the free opinion of hundreds of people online than pay a travel agent for one opinion any day. I'd rather zoom through the self-checkout or airport kiosk than wait in line for a cashier or attendant. I will give you the gas... I'd rather pay someone to do that for me. But the other examples are just technology progressing, like robotics allowing for the downsizing of a human assembly line.

 

[the count]

you are seeing things EXACTLY the way they want you to see things. your choice, no problem.

 

[kuckfeynes]

I do agree with your premise. Just not your examples. The diagnostic fee is a good one. Really any extra airline fees would be a good example too. But not technologies that make the consumer's life easier. That is a desirable thing and the result of healthy innovation and competition.

 

[ctiger2]

No matter where you look, we are getting less for our money because we do the work others used to do. That is NOT progross dear friends, its INFLATION

Inflation is the increase in a monetary unit. What you're referring to is the result of the inflation (debased currency).

 

[FreeTraveler]

Sorry, that is not inflation. It's automation. Inflation is an increase in the money supply. Full stop.

 

[Acala]

The OP is correct. When innovations that SHOULD bring savings instead leave prices the same, that is a symptom of inflation. This is one of the ways you can have inflation without price increases.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Actually those are reasons for higher unemployment- we are doing things ourselves we used to pay others to do.

 

[kah13176]

I have always thought of de/inflation as change in the money supply. I'm sick of hearing about prices.

 

[Mahkato]

You're forgetting about all the things that we are not doing today that we used to have to do (thanks to progress) which offset your examples. I understand the point you are trying to make though: the real level of inflation is hidden because it has been countered by advances in technology and methodology which allow us to do more with less. If we had honest money, our advances would have improved our standard of living ever so much more than they already do.

 

[RabbitMan]

Actually those are reasons for higher unemployment- we are doing things ourselves we used to pay others to do.

If I'm not mistaken, freeing up labor for more productive ventures is a good thing. As someone else said, when the price to the consumer doesn't go down with the increase in efficiency, you can run into problems, but that profit is still going somewhere. No need to be a Luddite.

 

[kah13176]

You're forgetting about all the things that we are not doing today that we used to have to do (thanks to progress) which offset your examples. I understand the point you are trying to make though: the real level of inflation is hidden because it has been countered by advances in technology and methodology which allow us to do more with less. If we had honest money, our advances would have improved our standard of living ever so much more than they already do.

Exactly. With a constant money supply, aggregate prices always decline, as long as there isn't a supply shock (e.g. an oil refinery exploding).

 

[Gaddafi Duck]

I would like to know how many here realize what inflaton really is. Its not the official (bogus) CPI and PPI. And not even the 15% or whatever it is on shadowstats. Its much more sinister and devious than that. We, you, me, all of us, are doing the work that others used to do for us. Yes, that is inflation, when you get less for your money, not only when prices go up. You want examples? Tons of them. Travel agents? Thing of the past. You do that. Check in at the airport. You do that. Fill up your tank? You do that. Check out at the grocery store? You get my drift, right? No matter where you look, we are getting less for our money because we do the work others used to do. That is NOT progross dear friends, its INFLATION. Want more? Your car dealer now charges a 'diagnostic fee' which used to be called a free estimate. The hourly repair rate stayed the same so no effect on the stats! And it plays right into the hands of the politicians that exported thousands of our jobs to China, just to keep the actual price level of things down. The ponzi scheme must continue no matter the cost. Never mind we are just consumer robots now. Ron Paul is the greatest danger to the status quo thats why he will never be allowed to win.

EVEN THOUGH THEY (THE POWERS THAT BE) WILL DO ANYTHING TO KEEP RON FROM GETTING TRACTION WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ALL GO AND VOTE!

Old news. Mises Institute ran an article as recently as a few months ago saying this.