Re: You Can't Beat "News" for Compelling "Information"

[myturn@xxxxxxxx (John Gelles)]

	Simon Camroux mentions, (in relation to possible fear by
	modern government that it cannot deal with inflation as
	easily, politically, as it can with deflation), the following:

"in Australia we are at the moment experiencing a negative inflation rate.
With the treasurer arguing that a dollar at the end of the year would buy
more than it had at the beginning. The current government believes that
they
have the inflation rate under control....now all they have to do is watch
and wait as the economy flowers."


	If employment, and other signs of prosperity (where
	society needs it most), show favorable conditions,
	lower prices and a higher value for savings, etc., would
	be nice to see.  I believe this is possible -- if government
	takes a hand in attaining such prosperity.

	If government does not, the deflation forecast by
	the government of Australia may mean loss of profit
	and loss of wages and employment.  Did any
	government spokesman add detail to this forecast?
	
	We have several PKT forecasts of a return of
	deflation.  As I remember, none of these thought
	such deflation would represent prosperity -- rather
	it would be cause for concern that jobs and income
	for the needy might suffer.

	I would favor deflation, if government could be
	counted on to turn it to public advantage -- by spending
	fully to end poverty and pollution.  Government might
	have to subsidize some producers with grants or loans
	if their success in production brought about lower
	prices and higher output of necessities for people
	and public institutions.

		John Gelles