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Show and SMALL jiiUd business iJiig Honesty in Government I There is, of course, no denying deny-ing raging inflation is a most severe and serious problem. And while many in government govern-ment seek to somehow blame business, the consumers, or the phases of the moon for this condition, it is government Itself It-self which created inflation, Independent business people, voting through the National Federation of Independent Business, long before inflation became a problem, voted for major slashes in government spending with the realization that eventually inflation would catch up with the nation. But in addition to government govern-ment spending, other governmental govern-mental actions have fanned the flames, but government tries to conceal these facts. For example, the Department of Labor announces that the price of new cars has gone up 6.4 per cent, or an average of $386 per car. This is an example of the government seeking to fool the people, because as the prestigious prestig-ious Wall Street Journal pointed point-ed out recently, in setting up this figure, the Labor Department Depart-ment eliminated another $129.90 in the new car price hike as this covered (he cost of certain safety and other features forced on to the industry by law. But in one of those curious reasonings only found in bu reaucracy, this did not add to the cost of the car, because it represents "improved quality." However, as far as the potential poten-tial car buyer is concerned, the average cost of a new car has not advanced 6.1 per cent, but 8.6 per cent. And as a matter of fact, a lot of this money charged consumers con-sumers for "improved quality" qual-ity" has gone down the drain as the Congress has now stopped stop-ped the Department of Transportation Trans-portation from requiring seat belts to be locked into the ignition. ig-nition. Anybody that paid a premium for this device has to all intents and purposes been made a sucker by Uncle Sam. Actually, it makes little difference dif-ference to the consumer when digging up cash to buy any item whether or not the Department De-partment of Labor says he is paying for "quality improvements" improve-ments" and thus should not be considered a hike in price. All the consumer knows is they, he or she must come up with more of the long green. So, who is kidding who? Basically, people want to believe be-lieve in the government, and I if they believe in the government, govern-ment, they will cooperate with programs to meet any crisis. But use of snide tactics and rationale to justify falsehoods to the public is no way to go about building confidence. I National Federation of Independent Business |