Is Inflation the Legacy of the Federal Reserve?
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In testimony to Congress on February 27, Bernanke bragged that inflation under his and Greenspan's watch was a mere 2% a year.
Of course Bernanke ignored a housing boom and bust. He also ignored a a dotcom boon and bust, a global financial crisis, numerous bank bailouts, and a policy of "too big to fail" that is now "even bigger".
Fed Inflation
A Bloomberg video exposes Bernanke as nothing but a charlatan. Please consider Hockey Stick Inflation.
Inflation Targeting at 2% Per Year
Bernanke brags about a 2% inflation rate as if it is something to brag about. It's not. This is what it looks like over time.
Inflation Targeting at 2% a Year
click on any chart for sharper image
Hockey Stick Inflation
Real Disposable Personal Income Per Capita
See the Problem?
Hopefully so, because it's obvious. The moment (for any reason) wages stop rising at the rate of inflation, the system is in stress. Why might wages stop rising? Global wage arbitrage is certainly one reason.
Even if that did not happen, income skew comes into play. Wages of the top 10% rise far faster than the wages of everyone else. As proof, I present Top 1% Received 121% of Income Gains During the Recovery, Bottom 99% Lose .4%; How, Why, Solutions
Also consider "Too Big To Fail" and other inept government policies as noted in Obama's Infrastructure Mania; Why It's Not Justifiable (And What To Do About It)
The Source of Inflation
If you are looking for "THE" source of inflation, look no further than the Fed, fractional reserve lending, and government policies that benefit those with first access to money (namely the banks and the already wealthy).
Bernanke has the gall to brag about his 2% inflation fighting "achievement", ignoring numerous boom-bust cycles, bank bailouts, and income skew.
The ultimate irony is the Fed and its inflationary policies is the primary reason inflation exists at all.
Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
"Wine Country" Economic Conference Hosted By Mish
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