According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, “inflation” is
- An act of inflating: a state of being inflated: such as
- DISTENSION [stretched out as from internal pressure]
- a hypothetical extremely brief period of very rapid expansion of the universe immediately following the big bang
- Empty pretentiousness: POMPOSITY
- A continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services
Sadly, repeating this definition makes me think about times when I believed things that were inflated, or pumped up.
The price level is a function of real productivity, value of everything, monetary policy, faith in the system, and other factors.
Inflation was out of control in the 70s and early 80s. By the time I first learned what an interest rate was, in the early 90s, and since then, inflation hasn’t been so bad. It is not something to take for granted. I wish I had an earlier post to prove this, but I totally called it during Covid that lowering interest rates to prop up the economy would lead to inflation. There was going to be a price for shutting down the stores during Covid and printing money to prop up the economy. We are paying the price now with inflation and higher interest rates. When the government spends or prints money, it is not just the rich who pay- we all pay