The Power of the Media

You've heard the ol' sayin' that "perception is reality," right?

Me? I'm more a "reality is reality" kinda guy.

Take inflation...

The government would have you believe that inflation is low.

The media echos the government line.

Of course the reality is... both our government and our media are lying to us.

I was never a big "math" guy. Words are my thing. Still... with my interests I of course must be familiar with basic mathematical concepts.

Let me give you an example:

When on Sunday the toll on the George Washington Bridge went to $12 (cash) from the previous $8 (which was in itself outrageous) this boost represented a price increase of 50%.

Got that, folks...? 50%.

That's not simply inflation, folks; that's hyperinflation.

I do the food shopping for my household. Always have; always will. I love food shopping! Folks... believe me... we're seeing massive inflation at the food store.

But are you hearing about it from the media...???

The answer is "no."

Folks... when an item that used to cost $1.99 now costs $2.99 that's a 50% price increase.

Folks... when an item that used to cost $1.99 now costs $3.99 that's a 100% price increase.

Folks... when we're talking 50% and 100% price increases on common everyday goods and services... that's hyperinflation.

Folks... understand... when that item formerly priced at $1 now rings up at $1.19... that's 19% inflation; if the price goes from $1 to $1.29 that's 29% inflation.

At the same time, folks, look closely at the packaging of many of the items you purchase. What used to come in a 1 lb. container may now come in a 14 oz. container... or a 13 oz. or even 11.5 oz. container.

Remember when yogurts came in 8 oz. cups? It's 6 oz. now and often 5.5 oz. or even less...

(*SHRUG*)

Yep. The inflation isn't just in straight pricing; nowadays it often comes along in the form of outright deception, with the package size deliberately tailored to "look" the same size as it always was, but if you take the time to actually read the small print on that misleading packaging you'll find that your money isn't buying you the amount of product it once did.

Gas has gone down a few cents! Hurray! Hip-hip hurray!

(*SARCASTIC CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*)

Yes... it's good that gas prices are going down instead of up, however...

Gas is still well over three dollars a gallon; I paid $3.49/gal. the other day in New Jersey - one of the less expensive gas states. (While in Oregon last week I was paying $3.79)

Oh... and since winter is fast approaching that means doctored gas... that means getting maybe 15% or even 20% less miles per gallon on a tank. Folks... that's inflation too!

And yet... you're not hearing much of this coming out of the mainstream media... are you?

Heck... you're not even getting the spotlight turned upon this reality by Fox News or the Wall Street Journal!

As is usually the case, the politicians are desperate to keep you in the dark for as long as possible, and either through deliberate collusion, simple ignorance, or just plain old incompetence our media "watchdogs" by and large simple regurgitate the government line.

Folks... the perception that inflation is under control is dead wrong.

The reality is that with Obama, Bernanke, Geithner, and the Dempublicans and Republicrats running the economy (into the ground) inflation is already high and mark my words... it's about to get a heck of a lot worse.

Right now inflation exists though few are talking about it. Next year...

(*SIGH*)

...we're in for trouble, folks... real 70's style trouble.