[Exhibitman]

Now this is what cracks me up about the so-called free market capitalists. We get an earful of the free market protestations when there is a discussion of taxation, regulation, public benefits, unions, etc., but when labor refuses work at the wage offered, they act like the sky is falling if the market is allowed to function. Any non-hypocritical free market capitalist understands that if the workers won't work for the wage offered, you gotta pay more and either absorb that cost or pass it on to the customers.

There's no simplistic answer to these macro-questions; we are in an unprecedented time after a massive sharp drop in output and demand due to COVID so there is going to be pent-up demand unleashed. Not to mention that we have a supply chain mess rippling across the world. A 6%-7% inflation rate pales in comparison to the 20% increases we are seeing on real estate in the larger population centers, the stock market run, the increases in hard asset value, etc. Did anyone really expect that people who've been stuck in a house for over a year and who feel prosperous are not going to go out and spend?

It will pass.

As for cards, might as well just enjoy the ride, use it to reallocate some of your collection away from things maybe you don't like all that much. Or just hold cash for the inevitable correction and then buy when prices drop. Because they will.