The Inflation Game

Summary

The article discusses how media agendas, driven by the financial services industry and political motives, shape public perception of issues like Social Security, inflation, and other global events, often to the benefit of certain groups rather than the public at large.

Abstract

The text critiques the media's portrayal of various issues, suggesting that the constant focus on topics such as the depletion of the Social Security fund is part of a broader agenda to direct public funds into private financial services. It highlights the cyclical nature of market booms and busts, questioning the reliability of an 8% return rate that is often cited. Ahead of mid-term elections, the article points out that the media tends to amplify a singular issue—this year being inflation—to influence public opinion and voting behavior. It notes that while inflation is a global phenomenon, it is selectively used as a political tool, often blamed on the ruling party. The text also touches on other significant issues such as reproductive rights, severe weather events, international conflicts, and healthcare shortages, which are overshadowed by the inflation narrative during the election cycle. The article concludes by accusing domestic and international corporations of exploiting the cover of inflation to justify price hikes and increase shareholder profits through dividends and share buybacks.

Opinions

The media's focus on the Social Security fund's depletion is seen as a tactic to steer funds into private accounts managed by the financial services industry.
The 8% return rate often cited for investment planning is considered largely fictional due to the cyclical nature of the market.
Inflation is used as a political tool during election cycles, particularly mid-term elections, to sway public opinion and manipulate voting behavior.
The ruling party, specifically the Democrats in the context of the 2022 mid-terms, is often unfairly blamed for global inflationary trends.
Other critical issues such as abortion rights, climate change, international conflicts, and healthcare worker shortages are sidelined in the media narrative during elections.
OPEC+ and Russia are implicated in contributing to rising prices in the US and globally, potentially to influence US elections.
Domestic and international corporations are accused of using inflation as a pretext to raise prices and reap excess profits, which are then distributed to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

Agenda Driven “Reporting”

Just about everything you see and hear in the media has an agenda behind it. The more you see and hear about a topic the more likely the agenda is being funded and directed by those who will profit from it.

Inflation Graphic

For years the media, which include book authors and columnists, kept up a constant stream of “reporting” saying the Social Security fund would be depleted by this-date or that-date now being 2035. The pundits were playing the game to the benefit of the financial services industry who covet the billions of dollars which fund the SS Trust Fund. Never has the recommended remedy been raise the wage tax rate or raise the cap on how much earnings are taxed. The idea has been to allow people the “freedom” of choice to invest their money in private accounts managed by fund managers. Never mind the market cyclically booms and busts such that the alleged 8% return rate (for planning purposes) is largely a fiction.

Ramping up to mid-term elections is the time to get all media on the same message to tell Americans what they are concerned about. There is a naturally occurring (or is it) bias against the political party of the White House when it comes to mid-term elections. When all 536 House Representatives are up for reelection there stands a great opportunity to make leadership changes. Whatever is identified as the issue all Americans are concerned about becomes the mantra. This year the singular issue is INFLATION. Nothing else matters. Everyone sees the evidence of how bad the economy is when they see the LED price displays of the gas stations. Those signs are as much a political message board as are the Vote For Me and Don’t Vote For Them yard signs.

When people go to the grocery store they see the price of a gallon of milk and the loaf of bread. Everyone buys those things. Apparently it is always the President’s and His Party’s fault and must be voted OUT. Never mind the entire world is experiencing the exact same inflationary period but at differing rates.

Abortion and Reproductive Rights have been the go to issue for many decades. When there was no other more tangible issue, Pro-life rhetoric dominated the airwaves and print media.

Here in 2022 we are faced with increasing severe weather events, the Russian war on Ukraine, China’s threats to Taiwan, the shortage of Doctors and healthcare workers, the food and hospitality industry plight due to a lack of workers and of course the COVID virus. But none of those items have and agenda behind them so they seem to not exist in this mid-term election cycle.

The list of foreign countries who would rather not have a Democrat led Senate and House include the OPEC+ group with Russia in particular. Russia is threatening gas shortages in Europe. OPEC+ holds the global economy in its oil price/production grip. Both actors and their actions contribute to rising prices in the US and around the world. Domestic and international corporations have increased their prices resulting in huge excess profits over their ordinary levels. This is not inflation. It is price manipulation for shareholder benefit. They have used their excess funds to pay out dividends and buyback shares. They use the cover of inflation to mask their policy decisions.

The game is played by crying inflation! inflation! inflation! Then increase prices citing Inflation!