Ron Paul is right, again.

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/11/ron-paul/cant-afford-a-vacation-blame-the-fed/

AI summary:

Nearly 30% of Americans cannot afford a vacation due to declining purchasing power and record household debt, driven by Federal Reserve policies since the 1971 decoupling from gold. Fiat currency enables unlimited money creation, which primarily benefits the wealthy through early access to new money, distorts markets via asset bubbles, and funds unsustainable welfare-warfare state spending. This cycle devalues the dollar, increases reliance on government programs, and risks economic crisis, political instability, and authoritarianism. The solution lies in returning to limited government, free markets, and sound money to restore prosperity and liberty.

Its Texas Aggies, dammit said:

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Fiat currency enables unlimited money creation, which primarily benefits the wealthy through early access to new money, distorts markets via asset bubbles, and funds unsustainable welfare-warfare state spending. This cycle devalues the dollar, increases reliance on government programs, and risks economic crisis, political instability, and authoritarianism.

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Ron Paul is right of course, but this is all intentional and how socialism takes over.

Another reason is more simple. Uncertainty. The more wise are keeping powder dry and not using up reserves on trips, etc, that can wait. So in some cases, yes, it could be afforded, but the extra may be needed more.

Inflation is just a tax to pay for our debt.