[AndyJackson]

for some reason, they are constantly trying to fight inflation. What the hell are they doing that for?

They say they are? Are they doing this successfully. I suppose it depends upon whether you believe the BLS numbers or those posted by others who claim that the hedonic corrections are fallacious.

I guess we are all just going to have to continue to disagree.

As far as 2003 deflation, we all know about that. That is how we got Sir Alan's 1.75% exploding ARMs.

[groanup]

That is how we got Sir Alan's 1.75% exploding ARMs.

So it's Greenspan's fault that the private sector keyed floating interest rates off of some internationally recognized benchmark and over lent to poor credits?

[groanup]

I suppose it depends upon whether you believe the BLS numbers or those posted by others who claim that the hedonic corrections are fallacious.

You would define inflation as cost/push? What a wonderful world for anybody who would sell anything. If your costs go up just up the price of your goods. Hell, some damn fool will buy it.

No such thing as cost/push inflation. Inflation exists in a high demand high money stock environment. I will grant you that in an inflationary environment people will buy things like houses BECAUSE of inflation. (If they wait it will cost more, etc.).