Some folks are talking as if they think the economy is in great shape. I wonder what economy they're looking at. From my perspective, we're heading into the worst economic nightmare in memory.

He tries...I'll give him credit for that much...Its sorta cute, makes me want to pat him on the head.:D

Mul, take your hand off his pecker.

dhoward - this isn't the first time this has bothered you. My job is in banking/economics. Other than arguing with you guys, I don't do much else. It may surprise you to learn that people in other countries have similar motivations, wants and needs to people in the US, which all equates to money and economics. Economics is economics, whether it is in NZ or in the US.

More importantly, monetary policy to control inflation is the same. Read what your Fed has to say (our own govt does pretty much the same and I think we did it first (wiki link - kinda true)):

http://www.frbsf.org/publications/federalreserve/monetary/goals.html

Rather than a snide xenophobic comment about me not being from the US, why don't you prove me wrong.

Because I prefer a snide xenophobic comment.

The impartial, stoic, economics expert personna exemplified in your last entry, doesn't hold up to the typical US bashing in many of your posts.
Didn't I say you were entertaining?

"I fart in your general direction."
SmileWavy

So call me on the general US bashing! It (only) in the economics stuff I know remotely what I'm talking about (still pretty questionable).

"Go away or I shall taunt you a second time" :D

"Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!"

:)

Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of silly persons

No, inflation is caused by the government printing money. It is a "tax" that very few recognize they are paying -- which is why governments love it!

The government applies this hidden tax through the implementation and monopolistic control of a fiat money supply. The government spending newly printed money in the economy has complex effects on the economy, but ultimately results in general price inflation.

The final result of the increase in the money supply can be understood by simple "supply and demand" economics: More dollars chasing goods and services yields higher prices.

I think our inflation is already a lot higher than what most people think it is. Our government is full of ***** about most things and the inflation figures they have been spewing out in the last few years have been just something else on their BS list. Here are some folks who also think there are holes in the current CPI index.
http://www.safehaven.com/article-1942.htm
http://mwhodges.home.att.net/inflation.htm