May 17, 2021Liked by Chris J. Karr, David Thornton
As we continue to see prices rise, one becomes suspicious of any and all reasons associated with those hikes. We've long heard the adage of what something is worth is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Are there good reasons? Or are we simply paying for the 2020 pandemic?
Last week when the gas prices were held hostage to the hackers, my first thought was is this real? What better way to send prices soaring than to claim you were held hostage. Nope, i'm not a conspiracy theory nut, but everything becomes suspect when prices fly off the charts.
It isn't just lumber or gas, we are seeing all sorts of increases at a time when article after article talks about how much money folks squirreled away during the pandemic. Lots of businesses got hurt and many were shut down and gone for good (or bad). Now as we reopen, are we going to pay for the sins of being locked down? Is everyone going to try and recover it with higher prices? whether warranted or not?
The worst part of the increases is the fear of inflation could drive us back into the open and unwelcoming arms of trump and a GOP that has lost their minds. Sorry, but what they have become is disgusting on too many levels to even try and comprehend.
The study of economics is fascinating. As I see different economic trends taking place, the more I realize how much I don't know, despite having read quite a few books and articles from economists across the ideological spectrum. Since economics involves human factors, including the exercise of their agency, it is not an exact science, much like political science. So given what is happening right now with lumber prices, it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few months.
Since you mentioned tariffs David, maybe Congress can do something bipartisan as to reclaim most of the power it has in my opinion carelessly delegated to the executive branch, such as the power to unilaterally impose tariffs. Previous presidents have learned to use the power of tariff imposition sparingly, even if the tariffs themselves were misguided(Such as Bush 43 and Steel, among others). But former President Trump went on a tariff imposition spree, imposition such tax increases in such a ham-fisted, impulsive manner that clearly hurt our economy in many aspects. If anything, Trump showed that Congress delegating so much power to the executive branch, does have consequences. I have my doubts as to whether such a thing can happen in a very partisan, tribal political atmosphere of the present. But I do think that for the purposes of economic stability and sound economic judgment, that Congress reclaim some powers, regardless of who is President.
Speaking of wood, I'm going to be building a new deck in my backyard. I foolish kept neglecting to apply water seal and treatment to the lumber on deck I built years back, and so now much of the wood is rotted. Ugh. Oh well, you live and you learn.
You had way too much fun writing this, David. :)
As we continue to see prices rise, one becomes suspicious of any and all reasons associated with those hikes. We've long heard the adage of what something is worth is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Are there good reasons? Or are we simply paying for the 2020 pandemic?
Last week when the gas prices were held hostage to the hackers, my first thought was is this real? What better way to send prices soaring than to claim you were held hostage. Nope, i'm not a conspiracy theory nut, but everything becomes suspect when prices fly off the charts.
It isn't just lumber or gas, we are seeing all sorts of increases at a time when article after article talks about how much money folks squirreled away during the pandemic. Lots of businesses got hurt and many were shut down and gone for good (or bad). Now as we reopen, are we going to pay for the sins of being locked down? Is everyone going to try and recover it with higher prices? whether warranted or not?
The worst part of the increases is the fear of inflation could drive us back into the open and unwelcoming arms of trump and a GOP that has lost their minds. Sorry, but what they have become is disgusting on too many levels to even try and comprehend.
The study of economics is fascinating. As I see different economic trends taking place, the more I realize how much I don't know, despite having read quite a few books and articles from economists across the ideological spectrum. Since economics involves human factors, including the exercise of their agency, it is not an exact science, much like political science. So given what is happening right now with lumber prices, it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few months.
Since you mentioned tariffs David, maybe Congress can do something bipartisan as to reclaim most of the power it has in my opinion carelessly delegated to the executive branch, such as the power to unilaterally impose tariffs. Previous presidents have learned to use the power of tariff imposition sparingly, even if the tariffs themselves were misguided(Such as Bush 43 and Steel, among others). But former President Trump went on a tariff imposition spree, imposition such tax increases in such a ham-fisted, impulsive manner that clearly hurt our economy in many aspects. If anything, Trump showed that Congress delegating so much power to the executive branch, does have consequences. I have my doubts as to whether such a thing can happen in a very partisan, tribal political atmosphere of the present. But I do think that for the purposes of economic stability and sound economic judgment, that Congress reclaim some powers, regardless of who is President.
Speaking of wood, I'm going to be building a new deck in my backyard. I foolish kept neglecting to apply water seal and treatment to the lumber on deck I built years back, and so now much of the wood is rotted. Ugh. Oh well, you live and you learn.