Author Topic: Inflation control (Read 847 times)

Shorty · « **on:** April 16, 2005, 01:44:08 PM »

I just love reading the financial pages describing how the Fed is so concerned about indications of inflation. Of course, the cost of food and fuel are not considered because they are oh so fluctuating and variable. BUT just let wages start creeping up and, WHAM! Raise the interest rates to slow down this terrible trend!
The point? I went to the audiologist today to get new hearing aids. She told me that, "like everything else, prices have gone up". DUH! Well, I told her that my wages haven't gone up in five years, and even before that, I didn't keep pace with inflation! So, what's it gonna cost me? top-of-the-line aids; $6000! :shock: :eek:
I told her that I could do no better than $4000. Concerned look, like "What the heck do you do for a non-living"? Well, I only make parts for the space shuttle, M1 tanks, and nuclear submarines, so I guess that makes me some kind of stoop labor. :roll:

Nightrain52 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2005, 06:03:09 PM »

Good grief Shorty-get a set of Walkers Game Ears and save yourself $5,800. Just kidding. For that price they should be gold plated. :-D :-D :-D :-D

Qtip · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2005, 01:51:54 AM »

Well Shorty I don't want to sound like a conspiracy wacko but I think most of us took it in the arse during the 70's inflation rampage and it was all toward the "global" economy crap. I can remember getting raises then and still losing about 4-7% a year on inflation. You're right though, it didn't hurt the "pros" (doctors,lawyers, etc.), they just raise their rates while the rest settle for what is given them. Sucks.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!
To God Alone Be The Glory!

magooch · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2005, 05:06:22 AM »

In the state of Washington, we now have the Democrats in complete control. They control both houses of the legislature and the Governor's office.

Their gracious answer to inflationary pressures is to raise taxes on everything they can think of. They have even decided that the cost of gasoline isn't raising the price of transportation enough, so in addition to raising the tax on gasoline, they're proposing to raise motor vehicle license fees.

This and more comes after our new Governor's promise that under her administration there would be fiscal restraint and no new taxes.

Shorty · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2005, 12:48:20 PM »

I read, some time ago, that if the federal minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since its beginning, it would be $20/hr now! :shock:
But, yet, any suggestion of raising it a few cents per hour per year brings cries of INFLATION and UNEMPLOYMENT! They say that Americans won't work menial jobs for minimum wages, so we need Wetbacks. They're right! Americans have to pay income taxes, SS, Medicare, Medical ins. ad infinitum. Wetbacks don't! It's a self-fulfilling prophesy. 'Guess who wins and who loses. :roll:

Brett · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2005, 02:13:25 PM »

On the one hand your crying that the minimum wage is too low, that it's beneath an American to have to work for such measly wages. In the next breath your crying about paying what used to be a house payment for a new automobile, $8 or $9 for a movie ticket and $6.50 for a 'value' meal.

I'll say this to the kids of today... If you are unhappy with minimum wage don't fry your brain with drugs and alcohol, keep your lazy butt in school and get a good education or at least learn a good trade. And keep your pant's on so that you aren't forced to drop out of school to support a kid (or kids) before your ready.

As a business owner I have hired some of these kids. They want at least $8/hr but they are not willing to do a real days work for it. Some of them don't even want to show up.

magooch · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2005, 04:04:12 AM »

The minimum wage law is just another socialist idea that is counter to free enterprise.

magooch · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2005, 04:03:57 AM »

Government needs to stay out of setting wage rates and concentrate on what is their business--protecting our borders.

TOMMYY01 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2005, 11:49:33 PM »

Brett'
That's about the best advise I've heard in a long time. My son did carpentry work working for his uncle. He learned early on how to work hard for his money. Now he's in the Air Force at Shaw AFB, S.C.. He is now working on his masters in electronics and letting uncle sam pay for it. He likes it, and knows that he has a great career as far as avionics and electronics.
tommy

Shorty · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2005, 11:07:37 AM »

Capitalists, businessmen, free-enterprisers, employers (no slam, just calling a spade a spade) like to cry about government intrusion and arbitarily set minimum wages, but they sure do like having that base-line to use against low-level workers. Supply and demand in wages? Yeah, like oil prices that always, mysteriously, go up EVERY summer! Can't the oil companies project the demand? Do they always forget about summer? Supply and demand in labor would predict that, if one can't find good help at $8/hr, MAYBE one needs to offer $10/hr. It doesn't work that way in reality. What do you think those "businessmens' prayer breakfasts" are about? Prayer? Bull! They're discussing how, if none of them competes with another on wages, they ALL win. That's "free enterprise"? :roll:

Shorty · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2005, 02:10:17 PM »

TM7,
Yes, I was agreeing with you. 'Just thought that I'd expand on it. :grin: