Dear Kathleen (the woman who helps me) is having a busy day. After she draws my bath, trims my nails, and finishes my wash and set, I’ve asked her to complete some fact checking for me. It seems I cannot recall one single human government on earth who have managed to control their own currency. Not one. According to writer James Kunstler, not even “the most powerful, authoritarian dictatorships in history” have been able to pull that one off.
I’m hoping dear Kathleen (the woman who helps me) finds evidence to the contrary. After all, I would hate to think of the US Government trying to accomplish what has never worked for anyone else.
If any government was ever motivated to control their currency, I would think it would be the Weimar Republic. They sure gave it the old college try, in the face of truly impossible odds. Their efforts fell to naught, however, and in 1922 and 1923 Germany experienced truly astonishing inflation rates. I understand that prices were known to double in a day, causing people to carry cash in suitcases. Imagine, if that currency had been controlled, people might have been more content, Adolph Hitler might not have attained his baffling popularity, and World War II might have been averted.
But “might have beens” are easy, especially when you are a dog. Please allow me to leave you with this illustration: the photo above is of a coin worth 200 German marks. It was made during 1923, so people would not have to carry the burdensome paper equivalent of 200 marks. Prices rose so quickly, however, that the coin was soon worthless, and the government stopped making them.
Be wise, humans. Be wise.
I’m hoping dear Kathleen (the woman who helps me) finds evidence to the contrary. After all, I would hate to think of the US Government trying to accomplish what has never worked for anyone else.
If any government was ever motivated to control their currency, I would think it would be the Weimar Republic. They sure gave it the old college try, in the face of truly impossible odds. Their efforts fell to naught, however, and in 1922 and 1923 Germany experienced truly astonishing inflation rates. I understand that prices were known to double in a day, causing people to carry cash in suitcases. Imagine, if that currency had been controlled, people might have been more content, Adolph Hitler might not have attained his baffling popularity, and World War II might have been averted.
But “might have beens” are easy, especially when you are a dog. Please allow me to leave you with this illustration: the photo above is of a coin worth 200 German marks. It was made during 1923, so people would not have to carry the burdensome paper equivalent of 200 marks. Prices rose so quickly, however, that the coin was soon worthless, and the government stopped making them.
Be wise, humans. Be wise.
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