Quote from Hydroblunt:
I don't think you have an understanding of what inflation is. Or deflation for that matter. Or exactly how central banks work and exactly why Ron Paul wants to abolish it.
Supply/demand & inflation/deflation are not the same thing.
OK. Tell me where I am wrong precisely and where I don't have an understanding according to your view.
My argument's premise is based on the concept that supply/demand fundamentals of crude are making their impact known on the broader result of price inflation (aka relative dollar devaluation), and that this increase in input costs resulted in a large component of asset runup.
If anyone here is suggesting that the fed merely pumping $$$ into the system and keeping rates at 1.0% is the entire cause of our current dilemma, they are mistaken. Political forces (Chinese embracing capitalistic tendencies) and technological innovation (spurring productivity growth) are just as responsible.
One needn't look too far to realize 2.5T of debt to fight the Iraq "cause" or tax cuts in the time when govt budgets were already in deficit were Bush's strategy of post-bubble financial recovery, rather than actually innovating our way out of the trouble we were in. I don't disagree with many of those points (that Ron Paul also advocates).
Just the point that having a gold standard somehow will obviate the economic difficulties we are in is silly because it introduces its own set of troubles. What happens to our economy when there is a gold shortage? Why should our economy's wealth and status be dictated by the holdings of an ARBITRARY JEWELRY metal?
Just because something was determined the most valuable thing 2000 years ago doesn't mean perhaps that it should remain the most valuable. I can't survive with gold; but I can survive with food, water, land, and energy.
I think the free markets with their own supply/demand forces do a good enough job of determining the value of the dollar.
You guys need to back up your arguments rather than a 'you are dumbfuck' note, because I definitely have. These threads to do with political candidates (esp Ron Paul) border on discussing religion. I wonder if there is a heavy overlap of Ron Paul lovers and Christian conservatives...
It feels like past discussions I've had discussing my non-god-fearing ways with Christians who believe I'm going to hell.By the way, inflation is decreased buying power of a currency. Deflation being the opposite. Did you know this?
