I have a family to feed, so I avoid dollars as much as I can. I think it would be fun though. Sort of like standing under suspended elephant without a hardhat. Holding crappy currency like dollar is stupid. Inflation is a tax on stupidity
My 2 cents... When I took my first trip to Europe a little over 10 years ago my dollars went a long way in terms of hotels, food, transportation, sightseeing, and shopping. In the last two years I have been to Europe a half a dozen times and it takes a lot more of my dollars for those same things. I'm not happy about that. Europe seemed "cheap" before, but now it is "expensive". If I didn't like to travel as much as I do I probably wouldn't notice that and it would not really concern me but that fact is I love to travel, so I do notice that my dollars are worth much less than they were before.
That's what Federal Reserve claims, I am yet to see an economist who would agree with it. Before Federal Reserve, we had no inflation and were #1 economic superpower. I don't think you can say that economy is 'stagnant' when average Joe can buy a house without mortgage and a family where wife has to work is considered poor
it is pretty amazing how things have changed my grandfather had only a HS diploma yet he was able to get jobs where he was able to own a house, car and his wife stayed home to take care of the kids good luck doing that now, unless you want to live in a tent or something
...my wife doesn't have to work in order for our family to be considered poor...I would tend to say that you can make as much money as you are willing to make...the majority of the problems with our "poor" system of the economy is just pure laziness...now there are some cases where people really need help, but I have seen plenty of people at the grocery store buy top $$ steaks with food stamps and 20$ worth of alcohol with cash...
And I've seen more then one upper-middle class white guy take a drive to the wrong neighborhood in order to purchase crack-cocaine. What could your point possibly be?
If you think that race plays no role in the social and economic equality of the citizens of the United States and Canada, you are blind (or simply afraid to say it out loud). Grow up, face facts, and stop being such a debate-pussy
The problem is that the government has created an entitlements system that provides too much for citizens who do not fend for themselves. This also encourages illegal immigration, both the entitlements, and the openings at the lower end of the workforce. 40 years ago, we didn't have the social problems we have today. A large part of that is due to policy, free spending liberals, and neo-conservatives who talk big on small government, but then continue to build the corporate democracy. It's going to take a lot of courage to address these things, perhaps even some individual sacrifice to guarantee that the next generation have a prosperous future to look forward to. I'm not sure we haven't become so soft, and so self interested that it is possible, but there is always hope. Hope that enough people will wake up, and demand more than a 4 year agenda from their elected leaders and decision makers.
You just crammed a mouthful of words down my throat. *barf* OK, taking a step back, I never said any such thing. People without the level of ignorance that you constantly display can explore that for themselves. I did, however, find it amusing that because you didn't like the direction the discussion went, you had to turn to the all too handy race card. Some consider it a nice play, but most of us, especially the quieter types that avoid these forums because people like to call them "pussies" and other such words aimed at making the attacker look bold, when in reality he's just another person hiding behind a monitor and a keyboard, feel it's a cop out. But I digress... There is nothing to debate here. You're an individual that is shallow in some areas, hence the use of the race card. No need to be ashamed of that. Oh, and sticks and stones, and all that stuff. Save your huffing and puffing for someone who gives a shit.
It's not what the Fed claims; it's common sense economics. The fact that you think inflation didn't exisist before the Fed shows how ignorant you are on the subject. We've even experienced hyperinflation to a point where the dollar became almost useless.
A year from now, this doom and gloom crowd will be saying the same thing. Happened last year, it's happening now, and it will happen in the future.
I have to say: I enjoyed the response. You caught me at a bad moment with the "pussy" remark. You're absolutely right and I apologize. As far as your analyzing me, you're pretty far off, and I still know for a fact that race is a major player in North American (and world) economics whether people feel comfortable saying it out loud or not. Nice touch with the "huffing and puffing" line; I felt properly chastised and laughed at the same time No hard feelings on my end.