Reply #38: Yeah, I make up numbers. That's my deal. Another chart...

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

The statement that inflation went up from 1930 and down from 1982 is not particularly controversial. Despite the oscillations of wars, oil shocks and the business cycle the broad trends are clear. (It is even supported by your own chart unless you demand that the SGS CPI, and only the SGS CPI, can be said to measure inflation.)

I apologize for using the word "inflation" rather than "real and expected inflation as expressed in the market price of short term treasuries."

Short term treasury interest rates are closely aligned with inflation and offer none of the ambiguity of consumer and producer inflation measures. They are hard numbers and easily tracked over time.