Inflation: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses what causes inflation, what we’ve done about the current round of it, and, of course, makes the smartest investment of all time.
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[@xXtheStrayXx]

As a grocery store employee , I love being yelled at and blamed personally for prices, one lady went on a massive rant on how I was evil and how we should all be ashamed for robbing everyone, me and my broke minimum wage self just nodded and smiled knowing I can no longer even afford to do groceries as regularly or even get half of what I needed.

[@Taylors_Tunes]

I loathe those type of people and hope you at least get an employee discpunt at said store.

[@sprtsfanatic1]

People like this are so entitled and up their own ass. It takes 5 seconds of brain power to take a step back and realize that no ordinary employee of any company has any control or say over price inflation. Hell, the grocery stores are beholden to their own corporate entities and to whatever each individual company, that shelves each product, charges for said product. I worked in retail for years and would just bluntly tell people that I don’t make the prices, if you have a problem, call the corporate office of whatever the company of the item it is that you’re mad at. Retail and management have no control over price fluctuation or pricing in general. It’s like that classic line of Ego from Ratatouille, “Perspective, fresh out I take it?”

[@thomasr7129]

I would have told her "Pardon me, I just work here, I don't own the place".

[@khunt5336]

@Miraj never had a job like this before so I ought not speak on things I don't know, but I suspect that whether or not this is successful depends on how good your manager is. Some managers, I have heard, will really just leave employees to deal with it

[@Butterflier00]

@@thomasr7129 they don't care...

[@mostmelon8243]

6 minutes in and he’s definitely gonna buy that frog.

[@theBIGgee]

He bought all 3

[@jmr]

Second I heard about the frog I was like "he's gonna buy it .. no.. wait ... He's buying all three!"

[@floku8950]

45 seconds in and I know there will be furry content

[@NocturnalCoder]

that's all too obvious for anyone who watches the show

[@Opinionsrnotfacts574]

He'd be mad not to. It's a collectable!

[@KevinDrongowskiSmart]

Fun fact, I used to build retail websites, most of those "3 left in stock" messages are fake. They use them to create a false sense of urgency.

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

Every Furniture store...forever: Going out of business sale! Since 1984.... ***insert tacky jingle***

[@Diphenhydra]

And, depending on the item, it could be a number of errors that aren’t to create a false sense of urgency. If a truck never got delivered to the store, if the item is floating around not being purchased, if an item is stolen, if an item is returned it will take some time for the system to update, the system just getting the wrong number from whoever sends the product. I can tell you refrigerated or frozen food was especially bad where I worked because the coolers were so filled with product we couldn’t get to the back, having to cancel that part of someone’s order. So we did have those mozzarella sticks, but because we canceled them being unable to reach the area, the system assumed we were out and that 6 turns to 0 inaccurately. All of these problems I’ve listed, I have personally dealt with. I’m sure you’re right, but it can be more than just trying to induce FOMO.

[@glass.hammer]

Every day I learn something new. And often more dystopian.

[@isuperninja8926]

That specific site actually now displays the giant and large statues as out of stock and back in stock in exactly one year. So not sure that was actually fake.

[@tinabean713]

@@isuperninja8926 It is really hard to tell these days. Prior to the 2020-2021 supply chain disruptions,, I saw these all the time and just assumed more would be available in a week or two because of just-in-time supply chains. However, small businesses and Etsy-type retailers really do tend to have limited supplies and are much more vulnerable to disruptions. Maybe it's the cynic in me, but I think the more prominently they advertise that, the less likely it is to be an impending shortage.

[@Aarrenrhonda3]

Inflation is far more harmful to individuals than a collapsing stock or property market because it directly affects people's cost of living, which they immediately feel. It is not surprising that the current market sentiment is extremely pessimistic. In today's economy, assistance is critical if we are to survive.

[@Peterl4290]

I believe I could benefit from additional assistance because I am having such difficulty navigating the market. Because the majority of my assets have already been sold, I may require some guidance on where to invest my money.

[@jerrycampbell-ut9yf]

If you lack market knowledge, your best bet is to seek advice or support from a consultant or investing coach. Contacting a consultant may sound simple, but it's how I've managed to stay afloat in the market and increase my portfolio to roughly 65% since January. It is, in my opinion, the best way to get started in the industry right now.

[@sabastinenoah]

Yeah! Because of this, I work with one. Since the beginning of last year, my $520,000 portfolio has increased by 85%, and it is well-matched for each market season. More numbers for this year are being worked on by my adviser and me. After doctors, I believe that financial counsellors are the most in-demand professionals.

[@jerrycampbell-ut9yf]

I encountered Annette Christine Conte through a CNBC interview, and I emailed her. She is guiding me. Since then, she has given me chances to buy and sell the stocks in which I'm interested. You can hunt her up online if you require care supervision.

[@Jamaal67i]

Can you share details of your advisor? I want to invest my increased cash flow in stocks and alternative assets to achieve financial goals.

[@jacobwindham3817]

As a gas station employee I can confirm most of the job is indeed trying to convince people that I personally didn't somehow steal their gas while they were pumping. I even had someone call the police

[@Zwidawurzn]

wait, what? These people probably can't calculate. I mean i have an 80l tank (21 gallons) and when i drive to a gas station where fuel costs 2€ per litre i know i'll be getting half a tank for 80€, and a full tank is 160€ worth of fuel. How can anyone be suprised about the price per amount AFTER filling up?

[@theBear89451]

Every year, a few gas stations are busted by state Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures Program. Those "cops" have busted airline baggage check in scales too.

[@ctdieselnut]

@@Zwidawurzn I'm not surprised. There's some dumb mf's running around this country. Good luck getting anywhere then back to the station on $20, such as the tiktoc guy's vid lol.

[@blixten2928]

That is truly truly amazing. Stay strong!

[@Wraithlen]

Genius has its limits. Stupidity on the other hand, has none.

[@heatherrockwell9012]

John excitedly yelling “I am good at business!” is one of my new favorite moments on this show.

[@NankitaBR]

This should be a meme

[@sciencehistoryandentertain734]

“I am good at business!” Is what i would expect Trump would say after a bankruptcy or Oliver buying 3 frog statues...

[@BB_Sebring]

@@NankitaBR It should, especially against all the crypto bros

[@richhutnik2477]

Line goes up means genius at business... regardless of whether or not you made the line go up.

[@helloxonsfan]

*John suggesting that Powell **_"lead an army of economists into Luhansk... [although], historically, that hasn't been the Fed's role..."_** ... is what I can't stop thinking about... & personally speaking, I'm here for it...!!!"* 18:57 *(LOL)* 🤣😂🤣

[@Turbo_Waitress]

The HBO Accounting Department must live for this show and their itemized budget requests. “You want to buy a WHAT!? Three of them!? For one segment!?”

[@aaronseet2738]

Think about the giga profits they'll earn when they resell.

[@MamaCassOFee]

I've thought about this too! 😂 "It's a WHAT COSTUME?" 😂 😂 😂

[@MrBaskins2010]

You should see what they spent of Perry Mason lol

[@peterkn2]

At some point, they'll probably refer to the giant, non-sense purchases for a joke as an "Oliver" or a "John Oliver"

[@great-garden-watch]

Just created a demand for those frogs and previously owned by John, they can sell them high

[@ChristopherAbelman]

The American Dream is supposed to be about getting ahead, but inflation feels like it's pushing me backwards. Just trying to make ends meet is a struggle

[@bartlyAD]

Inflation can be discouraging, but it's not insurmountable. By taking control of your finances and exploring ways to save and earn more, you can still build a secure future despite inflation's challenges.

[@PennyBergeron-os4ch]

Financial consultants can be your dream architects! They can help you create a personalized financial plan that considers inflation and guides you towards your long-term goals. Many clients I've worked with have seen their net worth increase by 18% on average within a few years, putting them back on track to achieve their American Dream.

[@HildaBennet]

I need advice on how to rebuild my portfolio and develop more successful tactics. Where can I find this coach?

[@PennyBergeron-os4ch]

Rebecca Noblett Roberts is the licensed fiduciary I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment.

[@HildaBennet]

I looked up her full name online and found her page. I emailed and made an appointment to talk with her; hopefully, she gets back to me.

[@TempestuousInquiry]

After spending my childhood watching my parents put things back and never asking for things bc we had no money, getting to this point in my adult life with my own kid is emotionally exhausting on a new level.

[@duckqueak]

Like you did I am sure they will appreciate how hard you try to provide for them when they grow older.

[@treyrmason]

I can only imagine how it feels from the parent side. My family situation was similar when I was a child. Unfortunately the cost of starting a family is too prohibitive right now :-( Wishing the best for you and yours

[@rickroma]

bro forgot to join the middle class before reproducing 💀

[@BakedBrain7100]

@@rickroma that’s a funny joke but I don’t think you realize what qualifies as middle class, majority of “middle class” Americans are actually considered lower class lol we think it’s normal for middle class to equate to simply surviving.

[@mr.pavone9719]

I know, right?

[@stormy7318]

I work for an online retailer in a supply warehouse and part of the inflation problem might be that corporations are making more money than ever while pretending they have low stock of items when they actually have more. Yet our wages haven't gone up either but our CEOs are getting raises and bonuses for ripping everyone off.

[@1IGG]

Yes. Most "Inflation" increases is just businesses ripping off consumers.

[@ForgetThisShist]

Yeah, John dismissing corporate greed was a little disheartening. Like yeah John cooperations *have* always been greedy, but after Covid they have had opportunities to lie and manipulate their way into make more money than EVER before.

[@groobs]

Yeah its disheartening and I'm too depressed to think a way out, I'm too overwhelmed and worked to think the way out, and unfortunately that's the plan for people in my situation, I am the blood in the machine

[@priscillarobb647]

Amen on that. I’ll not be surprise that they will have billion profits out of billion of people around the world.

[@joyl7842]

No kidding. This is exactly what has been happening in the PC graphics card business for years now. Prices are so high you used to be able to build an entire gaming system for the price of a single current-generation graphics card. And don't forget about the scalpers, who buy cards only to resell them for even more insane prices - because people want the latest stuff.

[@davidlamb1107]

"It must be so frustrating to retire, think you're done, and then have to go back to work. That is the absolute worst case scenario of retirement." The failure to show Jon Stewart's headshot is a TERRIBLE missed opportunity. 😂

[@Weird_but_neat]

Oh man 😂😂😂

[@agentchuck2]

@@banhammer3904 Whereabouts are you? Next of kin are usually not on the hook for debts of the deceased, at least in Canada. Unless collection agencies can lie and pressure them into taking them on.

[@freedomlife3623]

If anyone retirement plan can handle $150/month increase of expenditure, the plan never went through stress test. It’s called poor planning. She needs to hire a better financial advisor.

[@kaplanbahadir2301]

​@@freedomlife3623dude, some people are just poor. And sone choose to retire early due to health issues. Alot of the honeless people in the us fall into that category, because the us just haven't figured out something called empathy yet.

[@ellie.b.e.]

This has gotten funnier and more prescient lately. 😂 👍🏾

[@spheroidialmaster1910]

One of the saddest aspects of shrinking product size is the unfortunate result that the packaging-to-product ratio goes up. Making efforts to reduce the waste stream more difficult. Also, if the supply chain for the packaging itself is disrupted, the cost of packaging can force prices higher more rapidly than the actual commodity cost would do otherwise.

[@theBear89451]

Packaging is about 15% of grocery cost.

[@MrAronymous]

Then again, North American bulk buying results in a massive amounts of waste as stuff goes bad before the average family is able to fully use it. Its one of the reasons why the US and Canada top the global ranking of food waste.

[@glass.hammer]

@@MrAronymous part of that I’ve read is significantly contributed to by the unique restaurant culture of the US (and Canada, probably). Portions, destroying trashed food, criminalizing dumpster diving, refusing to donate excess, it’s all apart of our abundance culture. We have so much to go around and we actively prevent sharing fairly.

[@HolgerNestmann]

Thanks you!

[@mokumboi19]

Excellent point, I never thought of that.

[@TheNormExperience]

Somebody, somewhere, who a year ago was doing their insane job creating giant size frog statues just got the payoff of the century tonight.

[@vituperation]

"Honey, why can't you go back to being an accountant? I know covid made you rethink your life, but making frog statues? Who on Earth is going to buy that? Food prices are soaring and we need money!" Yeah. Who's laughing now, spouse of unspecified gender? Not you, that's for sure.

[@aljoschalong625]

Well, yes he was able to sell the statues for a good price. But if the frog-statue-demand increases, John is the real winner - he could charge outrageous prices. "You want a statue? I have a thousend people on the list. Highest offer so far S 1 Mio…"

[@JustSomeKittenwithaGun]

@@vituperation Spouse of unspecified gender 😭

[@Marijuanifornia]

Hooray for John Oliver! Americans now know more about giant frog statues than they do about America legalizing "Marihuana" to stop the Holocaust. Another brilliant episode from this award-winning shitshow. Watch the 1942 USDA video *Hemp for Victory* because it was hidden from your parents and grandparents so that all of you could be brainwashed with drug war lies and propaganda.

[@aljoschalong625]

@UCWPhreFgsrndTOaWJYA3O7w Oh, my condolences!

[@GhostHelwig]

After so long on the air, I have to wonder if whoever at HBO oversees the budget of this show still gets surprised. “Not one but three giant frog statues for an episode on inflation? Makes total sense, approved.”

[@Kas_Styles]

I would love to see an interview with who ever it is.

[@Styphon]

HBO's Accounting & Finance departments: "When the show finally shuts down, the resale value for this 💩💩💩 will go through the roof!"

[@vxicepickxv]

They signed off on an inevitable lawsuit episode. I don't think they're going to care about 3 frog statues.

[@googiegress]

@@Marijuanifornia Not everyone cares about your absolute favorite thing. We're also honestly fatigued from hearing potheads drone interminably about how weed can and will do literally everything. It's basically a religion with you guys at this point and it stinks. If anyone on this planet could acquire a modicum of chill I would expect it to be you. And yes I understand the difference between pot you smoke and hemp for fibers. See also: stopped caring because you people can't shut up.

[@DerSolinski]

Yo what's that black box? We don't talk about the black box... Aww... come on. It's Last Week Tonight's production expenses... Oh... Well... Sorry I asked. Don't be, it's your turn up next to negotiate with them.

[@alyssinwilliams4570]

Groceryflation up here in Canada is still horrific, and as people have been digging up, corporate greed is a big, big, big part of it

[@alexesjohnson4229]

May not be the cause but it’s definitely the biggest player in my opinion.

[@jessejb]

@@alexesjohnson4229The biggest player IS the cause. John got this wrong. Guess he has to suck corporate dick like everyone else.

[@johnmccrossan9376]

It's not helping but corperations have always been greedy, that didn't suddenly change in the last few years. The government decided it would be a good idea to force the economy to stop producing and consume more, printed money out of thin air and threw it at people who weren't allowed to earn it and then raised taxes on those same people to pay for their daft spending. Anger at corporations is just a shield governments around the world are using to avoid being forced out in favour of people who recognise "you might theoretically run into someone who might be sick" is not an acceptable excuse for taking your human rights away for 3 years.

[@gubrinth856]

Boycott loblaws

[@stratecaster547]

The fact that corporations can all collectively price gouge everyone and convince them that the government is the cause, which leads to electing republicans that will allow corporations to price gouge even further is genuinely horrifying.

[@sebione3576]

We have twice the amount of currency in circulation now than we did two years ago. Let that sink in.

[@leevc2037]

Guillotines would solve a lot of these problems...

[@stratecaster547]

@@sebione3576 do you have a citation for that?

[@DanielBrown-sn9op]

Exactly. Political, not just economic.

[@sneezygibz6403]

Whelp at least this doesn't affect me.

[@jaym3566]

I'm so over this shit. When I graduated college in 2008 the economy was fucked by all this bullshit and it was so hard to find a job. Eventually managed to establish a bit of career over the years as things got better and now when it's the time I'd like to own a home and stuff like that, this shit is happening. My generation has been so fucked by all these old fucks fucking everything up who were able to buy houses for like the price of a car.

[@Thoromian]

to hurt you more houses used to cost less than a car...

[@MrDbate]

This is the true build-up. This is the build that leads to a climax that leads to a denouement, and then resolution. Classic story structure. Thank you Jay M for sharing.

[@MrQuantumInc]

@@MrDbate Except we are not living in a story. Things could get better or worse but either way it will not make sense for our narrative driven brains.

[@paisano-mf2yx]

I think other generations has gone through something similar. Grow up.

[@MrDbate]

@@paisano-mf2yx "Other generations?" .... Name them.

[@jimbass1664]

Respect to the theatre techs who, when asked "Can we have a giant frog statue lower from the ceiling with water spouting out of it's mouth by next Thursday?", simply sniffed and said "Yup."

[@jasonebeling6347]

I can see that.

[@michaelagirouard8042]

That just sounds like another day on a tv show, living the dream lol

[@robertsteele7181]

Right totally wish I had that gig

[@audreyh6628]

as an art department tech I can assure the reaction was much more stressed than that. I felt stressed just watching that knowing how complex it likely was to figure out

[@randomnameseventythree2255]

"you want regular water or sparkling" - that tech

[@NicholasBall130]

Our economy struggling with uncertainties, housing issues, foreclosures, global fluctuations, and pandemic aftermath, causing instability. Rising inflation, sluggish growth, and trade disruptions need urgent attention from all sectors to restore stability and stimulate growth.

[@StocksWolf752]

True, initially I wasn't quite impressed with my gains, opposed to my previous performances, I was doing so badly, figured I needed to diversify into better assets, I touched base with a portfolio-advisor and that same year, I pulled a net gain of 550k...that's like 7times more than I average on my own.

[@cowell621]

This aligns perfectly with my desire to organize my finances prior to retirement. Could you provide me with access to your advisor?

[@StocksWolf752]

The advisor that guides me is Sonya lee Mitchell, most likely the internet is where to find her basic info, just search her name. She's established.

[@BateserJoanne]

I searched her up, and I have sent her an email. I hope she gets back to me soon. Thank you

[@kcbowman4042]

2.45% inflation, 4.2% unemployment, national debt down 1 trillion with biden.

[@tammyd.970]

That penguin segment was really relatable. Here in Germany, the price of my cat food went from 59 cents to 85 cents a can. That hurt enough, but after buying another 12 cans, my cats started turning up their noses. Turns out the manufacturer jacked up the prices and then had the nerve to change the ingredients. I feel like that trainer, futilely holding up a mackerel to a clearly discerning penguin. I wonder how many others are feeling this absolute sense of failure and helplessness. Joking aside, things are bad everywhere, but Europe is really experiencing a double inflation. Prices had already gone up from the pandemic, and then prices started going up due to Ukraine. A bag of flour has doubled in price. Vegetable oil was unavailable, then finally back at more than double the price. Pasta has doubled. Restaurants are increasing their prices yet again. It might not be a big deal for some, but this inflation of food prices is quite significant for people lower on the income scale, where rent and food are the major expenses. Also, there is no way wages are going up here. I'm not sure what is going to happen, but things feel quite bleak.

[@that__girl_from]

Cat food is high here in the USA too and hard to get for wet cat food but my cat doesn't seem to like it anymore like you said they must have changed the ingredients or something.

[@dr.davidenglish778]

That is terrible that they changed the ingredients (probably to inferior ones). Cats are kind of picky about their food. If you go and change it on them, they look at you like "you really want to die don't you?"

[@togandogan7739]

I am living in Turkey and our inflation is at least 100% a year. Trust me, Europeans have it good, just like they always have. Life has become hell for most of the world in the last years and Europe and the US were mostly protected from the massive fallout of everything: the US printing money, the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic and broken supply chains.

[@manifatzigula]

DM is überraschend günstig im Moment

[@leonardoplaza7677]

If you start applying Venezuelan and Argentinian policies to your country. Don't be surprised that you get Venezuelan and Argentinian news on your country and on the TV. What would you think it was going to happen with that amount of money printing? You became worst than Maduro or Fernandez

[@mothiestman4995]

This posted the same day my parents had to sit my little brother down to a talk about keeping groceries to a basic minimum for the next few months. John's timing is always eerily impeccable.

[@LeolaGlamour]

You can go to food pantry’s no questions asked

[@arzigogolato8944]

If you have a garden you can plant some vegetables there: it's a great investment in both money and health. And you can live without softdrinks and alcoholic beverages... water is healthy and cheap.... And you can dry clothes using the sun, just hang them outside: no electricity cost, 100% cheap..

[@LeolaGlamour]

@@arzigogolato8944 Yeah I’m sure they never thought about cutting out alcohol and soda 😒🙄 and that would save them what 50 bucks?

[@Asherons]

They may want to tell him it might be for a few years, and get worse.

[@prkp7248]

50 bucks is huge money for people in needs. Also it only have good consequences, as soft drinks are horrible for health.

[@MicJaguar]

Fun fact. A major oil company i used to work for back when oil prices dropped significantly at a meeting our boss said they could profit from $38/barrel. About 8 years ago or so. There is no oil shortage, we are not running out. The gas inflation is just because oil companies by default raise prices whenever there is any conflict or other crises. Then when people cut back and its reached its peak they cut it back a little, wait till we get used to it then leave it at just below our tolerance level. Rinse and repeat every year. They they go eat lunch at high end restaurants and give themselves bonuses big enough to buy a new truck. Something to think about.

[@WalterTheWalrus]

(Begins sharpening guillotine)

[@theBear89451]

Oil companies do not directly set prices. They sell at whatever the futures exchange settles at.

[@amethystpeony]

@@theBear89451 There are only a few major oil companies. They collude to keep prices high. Also,it is mostly the same companies controlling the crude market, owning the refineries, and the gas stations. Exxonmobil, BP, Chevron, Shell. They profit all the way up and down the market ladder.

[@Greenitthe]

@@theBear89451 And the futures markets are necessarily impacted by the decision to artificially stifle supply...

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

There is no shortage of *any* products. There's a shortage of need to actually charge the real value of their goods and services, instead of whatever highway robbery they can get away with.

[@ChrisCypher]

After studies have shown 55-60% of inflation has been due to corporate price gouging, I can't believe it barely got a mention here

[@waldothewalrus294]

When were the studies published?

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@waldothewalrus294 Corporations and businesses punishing us for the pandemic.

[@NateMims]

The entire frog analogy was about price gouging

[@Missiletainn]

@@NateMims No, it was discussing Prices soley on Supply and Demand, not on Price Gouging, which is Companies raising prices regardless of supply or demand.

[@NateMims]

But it also illustrated how companies are allowed to gouge...if not for a false demand, they wouldn't be able to inflate the price

[@thedebatehitman]

I love how John Oliver doesn’t just complain about the issues that were facing; he offers one or more solutions that we could implement if we were ever able to agree upon anything.

[@words007]

Yes, & forget how he blamed everything on trump when he was POTUS and when its time to blame Biden hes like 🥱🙄😒🤐 Sleepy Joe adminstration is worst POTUS ever. Letting Russia even think of starting a war on ukraine, letting Europe get Completely surrendered to Russian Fuel and energy, and not seeing it before biden screaming i will wipe Fossil fuels usage from the planet. Well here we are. Stupid biden office and the voters who let him in. Middle class in American cant even buy petrol to go to work and here thry are playing lets do this lets do that, no fuckin result.

[@antenna_prolly]

It's not so much "agree" as it is voters ever having power again....

[@Opinionsrnotfacts574]

Do you actually remember a time when the majority opinion actually counted? It sure doesn't count now.

[@jaya1000]

@@Opinionsrnotfacts574 democrats have won the majority of votes my entire life minus 2004 Bush re-election. 6-3 Republican picked scotus.

[@Opinionsrnotfacts574]

@@jaya1000 72% prefer abortion access on demand yet 6 old men in SCROTUS get to tell the country what to do

[@bobfromjob]

I really appreciate John and all of the team behind him to make this show possible. Kudos to all of you folks.

[@couragekarnga8735]

Yes, they're quite brilliant.

[@lukaslambs5780]

It’s nice he actually breaks things down for people. The more informed people, the better!

[@fightocondria]

@@couragekarnga8735 brillant

[@gerbs96]

@@lukaslambs5780 lmfao. You need to learn some economics. This is just bad.

[@gabrielsatter]

@@gerbs96 Come on... it's only missing like 90% of the story. A for effort.

[@mr.dr.daxter4049]

John showing off his frog statues and yelling "I am good at business!" made my morning and nothing can take me down now.

[@MiotaLee]

Honestly I needed to see that. I really hope the inflation doesn't get worse because spending money on frivolous things is starting to become morally painful.

[@aforty1]

Go buy some groceries.

[@SERIDIAhmedYahia]

Give it time, something will bring you down

[@Call_Upon_YAH]

Hey! Did you know God is three in one!? The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit! Bless him! Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and gives salvation to everyone who has faith in him! True faith in Jesus will have you bear good fruit and *drastically* change for the better! Have a blessed day, everyone!! ❤

[@Call_Upon_YAH]

Your worries (yes, anxiety), depression, suicidal thoughts, EVERYTHING will melt away and be NO MORE when you lean on God and put your trust in him! When I have physical pain, I literally pray and the Lord quells it, that I am healed!! Know that there is power in the name Jesus Christ! His name casts out demons and heals! People are bothered by his name. The world hates the truth and wants to continue living sinfully! God's children are set apart (holy) and righteous.

[@schitzie]

i have to say, the phrase "a lot of smart people, and Jim Cramer" got me good

[@NK-vb3fn]

I love how he discusses the issue along with both positive and negative sides, and yet end up keeping the hopes alive

[@pluckybellhop66]

Because they explain and teach so much, Truth is a breath of fresh air.

[@mithridatesii6925]

I love how he discusses all of that but he doesnt explain how we needed to balance the budget and saved a little bit of money for rainy days like the pandemic when things were normal but the big government went on spending spree and some and then had to print money to keep the party going

[@messedupdweeb]

And it’s sad that this type of content has to come from a late night show instead of mainstream media. Fearmongering and politics benefit them more, I guess.

[@juhonieminen4219]

This was a pretty smart episode. They had to balance that with the frog. But I was more impressed by the facts than the frog!

[@jocelynsagemitchell]

The Emmy was once again well deserved- you do a public service by explaining these crucial topics, and you make us laugh at the same time! Almost as amazing as that frog fountain 😂

[@lindarichards2437]

🏛💺💀😷

[@l-b284]

My favorite was the statue in the garden, it looked like it belonged!

[@JacksonSadinsky]

John Oliver is always a light of hope through tough times. Great week

[@creature7310]

I haven't paid rent utilities property taxes or had to deal with landlord bank or neighbors for the past five years because I've been living in my van and have never felt more free and happy about it.

[@christophercassidy9962]

How do you get around the problem of having a address for your license?

[@JonnyRunning]

"Historically hasn't been the Feds role" - This is hilarious, so glad they included this line

[@BL_fanboy]

When he said - it's still family pack, family must have gone smaller. I couldn't help but laugh 😃

[@inconvenienttruths7953]

Now it makes sense why $70 billion worth of US Tax Payer wealth is sent to prolong/exacerbate the war in Ukrainie enriching the coffers of the US/UK military industrial complex not to mention the $300 billion of US Tax Payer wealth being donated to US chip manufacturers while Pelosis profit from insider trading on NVIDIA Chip stock. Thanks to political hacks like John Oliver and other late night clowns, truths always get buried while distracting and brainwashing their young and dumb audience, as usual.....

[@Kimm134Saya]

I work in an investment company and I attend a lot of briefings and market updates from economists and the biggest investment companies, but this segment explained the current inflation scenario much better than any of them. Kudos to John and the team for making an otherwise boring topic into an exhilarating segment.

[@tashumbriamiller]

If possible you should have this link played in a 30 minute meeting. Bet everyone would prefer this version.

[@autohmae]

Can I recommend some other channels: Perun for getting a better understanding of the Russian/Ukraine conflict Beau of the Fifth Column for sensible views on US politics Just Have a Think for some of the best coverage on the topic of climate change asianometry for great insights into especially Asian companies, most of it in computing.

[@fuzzywzhe]

We had repo failures in September of 2019, good think that "pandemic" relief package was passed. You are probably adequate with math.. Each US citizen could get up to $1,200, and there are 330 million Americans. What's the MAXIMUM amount that US citizens got out of the $5 TRILLION relief package?

[@Kimm134Saya]

@@tashumbriamiller Definitely. Most of the speakers are dead inside. 😂

[@koltoncrane3099]

Fuzzy Ya while they gave up dollars to businesses they tossed a nickel to poor people so they wouldn’t revolt. It’s all about bread and circuses. Haha things ever get bad enough the government might provide a free Netflix or something along with free phones. And Obama may have gave away phones but it was so the nsa could learn more about everyone.

[@donovantobs]

I foresee a recession lasting 2-3 years, and if inflation continues to surge, the Federal Reserve will likely raise interest rates soon. Inflation is causing various issues worldwide, such as food shortages, scarcities of diesel and heating fuel, and significant spikes in housing prices, leading to a potential financial market crash. This global downturn could have long-lasting repercussions. Given the current inflation rate of approximately 9%, my main worry is how to optimize my savings and retirement fund, which has remained stagnant at around $300,000, yielding almost no gains for quite some time.

[@frankedwardark]

I'm sure the idea of an invstment-Adviser might sound controversial to a few, but a new study by Motley-fool found out that demand for Financial-Advisers sky-rocketed by over 42% since the pandemic and based on firsthand encounter I can say for certain their skillsets are topnotch. I've accrued north of 580k within 16-months from an initially stagnant Portf0lio worth 85k.

[@Benedictrud]

Inflation is over 10% here in the UK, but as we know it's definitely way more than the Government would like to admit. My plan is to earn more passive income and ride this out, can your Investment-adviser assist?

[@frankedwardark]

Well, there are a few out there who know what they are doing. I tried a few in the past years, but I’ve been with 'MICHELE KATHERINE SINGH' for the last five years or so, and her returns have been pretty much amazing.

[@Benedictrud]

She appears to be well-educated and well-read. I ran a Google search for her name and came across her website; thank you for sharing.

[@XmasIsHere]

Gonna say, recession is unlikely. Since this was filmed, World Bank reported inflation is FALLING, which is in large part due to the US. It's not a lot, but it's progress. We're pretty much in the clear for a recession right now (according to my father who works for the federal government). He worked with the woman who had recession factor guidelines (basically: if these happen a recession will happen) and her guidelines worked for all recessions post-50's. She doesn't think a recession will happen so I believe her strongly lol. I can't recall her name atm but if you're interested I'll get it to you. I mean, we will get a recession at some point, but at that point it's likely inflation won't be the main financial issue.

[@jonathanpage496]

It shocks me everytime I'm reminded that America doesn't have tax included in display price

[@GregorioStyreco]

wait what. are you serious?

[@penguinking4830]

It is just a psychological trick to spur purchasing. American sheeple will put up with just about any dishonesty. We have been well trained to accept that we don't have the information necessary to make rational decisions.

[@Dennzer1]

Canada as well. And, you may not believe this, but at 41 years old, and a politics junkie, this is the first time I've heard that a country DOES do this.

[@TotalBlank]

We don't have that either in Canada, most people learn to calculate their local sales tax when learning the basics as a child. Of course there are people who are unwilling or incapable of calculating the tax and just wait until they get to the cashier.

[@crisis8v88]

With just the slightest amount of empathy for companies in this instance, making unique product labels for each state, county, and even some cities, with differing tax rates would be a logistical nightmare.

[@jordanshreds747]

This man is a national treasure and the UK cannot have him back

[@arcturionblade1077]

Shared custody aka dual citizenship.

[@Andy-gg4xw]

Oy!

[@HowToChangeName]

They had to invade US again and pretend it was "gifted"

[@Grubleafeater]

That's right, for once the Brits lost a national treasure to another nation.

[@andrewe360]

when biden says i can taste it i think about my plasma donation 0.0

[@Abstract_zx]

ive been working at a walmart since almost the beginning of the pandemic and ive watched prices slowly rise over time, alot of our products cost 20 to 50% more than they used to and it bothers me that the cheap stuff i used to buy i now have to think twice about because theyre not cheap anymore, i can only imagine how hard it could be for someone whos struggling to support themselves

[@evanpatterson7098]

It sucks!!

[@funveeable]

Don't worry, Biden says inflation is good for you. You are a spreader of misinformation if you say otherwise.

[@evanpatterson7098]

@@funveeable that was margarita taco grissle.

[@D-Fens_1632]

I buy my weekly work lunches st Walmart, they all just went up in price in nearly direct correlation to the raise I just got. After gas prices, my grocery budget managed to shrink after getting a raise.

[@rajeshupadhyay5683]

Well said! I am also here to learn how to invest after listening to a lady on tv talk about the importance of investing and how she made 7 figure in 3 month, somehow the video taught me nothing and left me even more confused, I'm a newbie and I'm open to ideas on how to invest for retirement

[@WestonScally7614]

I’m 55 from southeastern Ohio but worked overseas all my life. I have savings of $1,000,000 and I'm ready for retirement, only concerned about the soaring inflation. Is this enough to retire comfortably, or do I need some sort of money management?

[@FelineAirstrip]

I would get money management just in case. You’re only 55. I think the average life execting in the US is 77.5 years, but many people live well into their 80s so that $1 million has to last you all of that and the unforeseen. $1m is a great start though. Good for you!

[@Redwood4040]

I’m quite lucky exposed to personal finance at early age, started job 19, purchased first home 28. Going forward, got laid-off at 36 just after covid-outbreak, and at once hired an advisor with grit to help stay afloat. As of today, my portfolio has yielded over 300%, summing up $836k. Stay motivated friends

[@SaintYvess]

this is huge! your advsor must be grade A, mind sharing more info pleas? in dire need of proper asset allocation

[@Redwood4040]

Can't divulge much, I delegate my excesses to someone of great expertise ''Jennifer Leigh Hickman'' preferably you can look her up on the web, her qualifications speak for itself.

[@Redwood4040]

*Jennifer Leigh Hickman* She's been able to gain some reputation with over a decade of experience, so it shouldn't be a hassle to find basic information on the web.

[@georgeh6856]

From the Wikipedia piece on the Jon Stewart-Jim Cramer conflict after the economic collapse of 2008-2009: Jim Cramer was shown simply affirming "Your money is safe in Bear Stearns", followed by a Daily Show statement that the global investment bank went under six days later. "If I'd only followed CNBC's advice, I'd have a million dollars today", [Jon] Stewart said during the piece, "provided I'd started with a hundred million dollars."

[@Greasybear24]

Jon Stewart is such a G.

[@pirojfmifhghek566]

Jim Cramer's only job is to sell whatever the financial markets are pushing. And the financial markets are only ever pushing people to be bag holders. Anybody with a goddamn brain could see that Netflix was in trouble due to all of the competing streaming services, but Cokerat Cramer was out there in January telling people to "buy buy buy Netflix!" That's why there's a recurring meme amongst investors called "Inverse Cramer." If he tells you to buy, run like hell.

[@yrazu05]

There are a few flaws with the debate John is making, as A LOT of the rise in inflation is coming from corporate greed. The single biggest example is gas prices, particularly how gasoline affects the overall price of products, particularly when almost all grocery products are shipped by trucks nationwide. Gas demand has always been the same and during the pandemic it actually decreased. But the oil cartel OPEC and US companies saw an opportunity to raise prices to "gain back their loses." There was no justifiable reason to raise oil prices except for corporate greed and this affected and still affects the supply chain up. Other companies like Walmart had no reason to increase prices as well, which is one of the companies that also feeds a majority of Americans and supplies them for household products. We see with companies who didn't raise their prices it did not affect them at all, and they're still making a profit, yet those that did have done so for greed to nickle and dime the every day American. You also have to realize that MANY MANY companies during the pandemic were heavily subsidized by the federal government and given millions of dollars to stay afloat, meaning that supply chain issues should not have been a thing as they were being backed financially. Instead of using that money to increase employee pay or maintain their facilities many of these CEOs instead invested their subsidized money into stock buy-backs and did not invest to improve themselves. Hence why we see the flight delays and airline issues today. So in some ways what John is telling is true, but in many other ways he is avoiding to discuss a bigger and troubling issue. He's making you think that its the common American's fault ... but it's not. None of us went to buy jet skis with the stimulus package but invested in things we were already buying or doing, and even better when deciding to upgrade on certain commodities we were wanting to do for the past 10 years. My parents were wanting to do a driveway upgrade but never had the money. Now did supply chain issues hurt the driveway business, which I'm pretty sure was hurting for business, because they were asked to work and do their regular business? No, but I'm sure they would come up with some BS to justify a price increase. Which again, greed.

[@theBear89451]

@@yrazu05 That was a long, thought out, comment, but completely wrong. John is correct. As John points out, your comment does not understand how time works. Corporations have always tried to maximize profit. It you were correct, we would have had high inflation for the past 100 years.

[@cmecre8629]

@@yrazu05 dead on about greed. look at the rental market. but supply chain problems exacerbated by locked-down consumers with extra cash, not from any stimulus, who may've put off buying cars/computers/or whatever, were/are faced with higher demand and lower production due to frequent lockdowns in manufacturing hubs everywhere, as well as raw material shortages. throw in a few climate disasters in poor countries who supply most of the labor/materials and extreme shipper greed, you've got a helluva massive perfect storm. that most of us don't understand what's going on, and that this is happening everywhere is so very unfortunate for our democracy

[@TheNedeta]

I work at a small business that sells good from many different companies. I talked to several suppliers that manufacture in china. In a normal year it costs $4-6k to get a shipping containers worth of stuff in the US. Last year it was $30-40k. Combination of issues caused it. There was a back up of ships trying to unload. Labor shortages were a problem. Then when the goods made it in, there were not enough truck drivers to get them to their destination. Last year we couldn't keep things in stock. This year we have access to everything again... but prices went up ~30% from EVERY COMPANY we order from. No one person/group is at fault. It's a perfect storm of things going wrong on all sides.

[@alyssastickels1324]

The problem with saying it was multiple factors ‘going wrong’ and that ‘No one person/group is at fault’, is that it minimizes the substantial evidence that part of the issue is choices made by people and companies to take advantage of all of the other issues to increase their profits. We are not in the situation due to a single factor, but at least one of the factors is morally reprehensible and preventing it could have lessened the devastation.

[@driftwisp2797]

@@alyssastickels1324 "At least one of the factors is morally reprehensible". If you're talking about the invasion of Ukraine, then I agree completely. But there wasn't much we could do to prevent that one. If you're talking about companies trying to make money, then I disagree completely. The idea that companies should try their best to make as much money as possible, and that in doing so they will boost the economy and make things better for everyone, has been a cornerstone of our culture for a very long time. Whether you agree with it or not is one thing, but calling following that idea morally reprehensible is a bit of a reach.

[@alyssastickels1324]

@@driftwisp2797 and how has that worked out for us? Allowing companies to make as much money as possible?

[@joeanthony7759]

@@driftwisp2797 Not anymore it isn’t. The cornerstone has become a slowly-tightening noose.

[@flourishingoctaverye]

@@driftwisp2797 Only it's not boosting the economy or making things better for everyone... Corporations are making record profits. It just hasn't been trickling down to the workers. But somehow, executive compensation is *outpacing* inflation. What did that Republican guy call it? A regressive tax on the middle class?

[@bytmee69]

The way that 3rd frog was lowered from high up in the studio like that, absolutely cracked me up, and then came the water, from where, who knows, and where the fk did it end up. Kinda crazy and a little bit elaborate, I laughed pretty hard, many thanks to you and your team John, bloody brilliant xox

[@alexsteven.m6414]

Market declines, soaring inflation, a significant increase in interest rates by the Fed, and rising Treasury yields all point to additional losses for portfolios this quarter. How can I profit from the present market turbulence? I'm still debating whether to sell my $125,000 ETF/Growth Stock portfolio.

[@belobelonce35]

Concentrate on two main objectives. First, keep yourself safe by knowing when to sell stocks in order to limit losses and maximize gains. Second, get ready to benefit from market changes. I advise consulting a CFP or other professional for advice.

[@bernisejedeon5888]

@@belobelonce35 Yes, I have been in touch with a CFP ever since the outbreak. Today, investing in hot stocks is quite easy; the difficult part is deciding when to buy and sell. With an initial starting reserve of $80k, my adviser chooses the entry and exit commands for my portfolio, which has grown to approximately $550k.

[@yolanderiche7476]

@@bernisejedeon5888 my 401k growth has been stagnant since the 2019. I wouldn't mind consulting the advisor who guides you, I really want to grow my retirement fund since I could retire in 3 years.

[@bernisejedeon5888]

@@yolanderiche7476 The stock market is without a doubt the awkward teenager with the most extreme mood swings! I started out with a commentator named "JEFFREY HAROLD STARR” His honest approach gives me complete ownership and control over my position, and he rates are incredibly affordable given my ROI.

[@valeriepierre9778]

@@bernisejedeon5888 This recommendation comes just in time because I'm literally grasping for straws right now! I looked him up on the internet and made plans to call him

[@TimeBucks]

Thank you for your videos

[@chathumikaveesha9720]

Amazing

[@vasilemariangiarap7005]

Foarte tare

[@senalperera9354]

Amazing 👏

[@gsp4prez]

@Nathan Pipper sorry, I don’t follow manipulative people or deities

[@dande3139]

The government should stop throwing money at rich people. That's the real problem. There was no reason someone in my bracket (> 3x the average wage for my county) should have gotten stimulus. And there is no reason certain companies who have actually seen profits rise due to the pandemic should have a negative tax rate.

[@Zt3v3]

I agree with the 1st 1/2 of your statement but not the 2nd. Companies that pay no tax for a certain year make headlines but the reality is they're carrying forward a loss from a previous year, something completely reasonable and available to all of us.

[@kylewilliams8114]

Even retaining their profit margin would have seen prices go up. Profit margin = total cost to consumer - input (for argument sake) if input goes up, profit margin goes down. If prices remained the same, profit margins would have fallen. One must increase cost to consumer to maintain profit margin. You have to increase cost to consumer a LOT to get a higher profit margin while inputs are going up in price.

[@pirojfmifhghek566]

Agreed, but the bigger problem is the lack of unions and collective bargaining. Many jobs on the supply side are just fucking awful and they pay too little. Watch John's video on the trucking industry and you'll see what's going on. If people don't want to work these painfully necessary jobs due to pitiful compensation, the GDP suffers and things grind to a halt. Then you have a stagnating GDP at the same time as inflation. Stagflation.

[@elbinalejandrofelizgonzale1742]

@@Zt3v3 pretty sure many of this companies that had "loss" can tough it off better than the struggling american, we are talking about people who couldn't buy a new yacht (another) or summer house in another foreing beach, no mom-and pops, they will be ok, they won't lose their style of life, they won't lose their livelihood, let them take the hit, why the working class has to pay for it?, they can just be a bit less *rich* for a while...

[@Jiusonium]

Ain't that the truth. My neighbour has a taxi business, and before covid he had three specially equipped taxis (the big vans with wheelchair lifts). After covid hit, he had to sell two of the vans just to be able to eat. Our government dished out money to struggling businesses, but he got absolutely nothing, because he hadn't made a big enough loss. Meanwhile the absolutely thriving construction business a few streets down got $100k.

[@shehreyar247]

When we start seeing more of John Oliver's episodes per week, that'll be Johnflation.

[@Giga-lemesh]

😂

[@AlucardJr6969]

We must keep that from ever happening, simply put most quantity means less quality...

[@Resi1ience]

Be VERY careful with that word. You might give Rule34 ideas.

[@gehtdichnixan4704]

Sounds like a jammed toilet

[@AisuruMirai]

That's the opposite of correct. Inflation happens when there's LESS of something. Did you not even watch this video, the video that you're commenting on?

[@bill29-g3b]

I used to play this game called SimCity. You could build the roads and power lines. Zone different areas and collect revenue. After getting good and having a huge population I could boost the tax rates until most left and then I'd lower the taxes and they'd come back. But I'd reap awesome profits. That taught me a lesson in modern economics. Especially the squeeze them dry part.

[@youtubeuniversity3638]

And I bet there wasn't a mechanic for people catching on and the trick getting less effective each time you did it...

[@lewiscopland4568]

Did you just explain SimCity to the Internet

[@bill29-g3b]

@@lewiscopland4568 An extremely small section of a tiny part of an infintessimal slice of the internet. I'm not very popular.

[@lamba135]

Me being from Argentina I can say: you merely adopted the inflation i was born in it molded by it.

[@paulino8995]

Underrated comment 🤣😂

[@pmorales21]

Argentinian watching this with 7% inflation last month

[@8varium5]

I’m from Venezuela. I don’t need to say more.

[@camrenmugabe3062]

So you never saw deflation until you were already a man?

[@jfern2101]

Did you become a super villian? Argentinian bane?

[@soggybogwitch]

Can't begin to describe how frustrating it is to have seen wages stagnate over the past 40 years, cost of living continue to rise, and then when a big inflationary events happens, to watch any amount of it being blamed on rising wages. Like I get that, technically, rising wages could contribute to inflation, but it's hardly the fault of folks demanding more for what they're contributing. I just worry that we're gonna miss the forest for the trees, and fail (again) to place the blame at the fault of an economic system that relies on coercion to meet the demands of it's labor requirements.

[@starsINSPACE]

+

[@Fitnessat40years]

Trillions of dollars just made out of thin air.

[@djhergert1995]

I haven't really heard anyone blame rising wages for inflation. We have Inflation because our government has a massive spending problem. Nearly 2/3 of all bills in circulation right now have been printed since the start of the pandemic. You can't do that and not expect insane levels of inflation.

[@doctordoubledakka3939]

Almost like the host doesn't have the best interest of lil' guy at heart. Sorta like he's a rich dude, paided by richer dudes, to tell poor people what to think....

[@inconvenienttruths7953]

Now it makes sense why $70 billion worth of US Tax Payer wealth is sent to prolong/exacerbate the war in Ukrainie enriching the coffers of the US/UK military industrial complex not to mention the $300 billion of US Tax Payer wealth being donated to US chip manufacturers while Pelosis profit from insider trading on NVIDIA Chip stock. Thanks to political hacks like John Oliver and other late night clowns, truths always get buried while distracting and brainwashing their young and dumb audience, as usual.

[@chadmiettunen]

As soon as he brought up the frog statues I thought, "He bought one and he's got it in the studio." I didn't expect to see all three. Well played, John. Well Played. 👏

[@scoobydoobers23]

Its funny and they know that meeting the expectations of fans gives us a quick shot of endorphin for being able to predict something. Which keeps us coming back for more.

[@bearcubbelladonna]

I wish every news story was covered from John Oliver--it so much more entertaining and I gain so much more information the way it gets delivered. . .I genuinely enjoy listening to it while I'm working on my computer.

[@shadyguy23]

Sure, workers demanding higher wages might cause businesses to raise prices and increase costs of living, but that'd be a hell of a lot better than businesses raising prices and increasing costs of living *without* any higher wages.

[@LokiDWolf]

How though can a business pay higher wages and NOT raise prices to some degree though? All businesses need to make a profit.

[@nussnougat5462]

@@LokiDWolf They need to make "a" profit not an "gigantic f*ckload of money" type of profit. US Americans have the tendencies to act that businesses would shout down if they wouldn't make billions every year in profits (this of course only includes the biggest ones). We should attack the margins because they get higher and this is also because all political decisions tend to be in their interest because the US is more of an oligarchy than an democracy

[@whetlarper]

@@LokiDWolf Businesses are making record profits. They could simply pay people a fair, living wage and make slightly less profit, but still billions of profit a year.

[@aaronsacks470]

@@whetlarper I didn't realize all of the businesses are already making infinite profit and have plenty of room to just pay employees more and make no other changes. As the video said, they did not suddenly get greedy. They were like that the whole time. So even if they were making record profits (some are but plenty are struggling), they could still use higher wages as a reason to raise prices in order to maintain that profit level. And with more money in people's pockets from those higher wages, demand would be able to keep up.

[@IridescentW]

@@aaronsacks470 Letting poor people starve so the middle and upper class can save a few bucks is psychotic.

[@bobkleinman5726]

I was an Economics major and work as a financial planner. This was the best analysis of inflation I've seen this year. A little comedy and a few zingers made it more interesting.

[@alyssastickels1324]

SomeMoreNews did one too, I’d be interested in your thoughts if you don’t mind watching it. It’s about an hour long I believe

[@Bernd69420]

Here's a better one: Go read the wikipedia article on the subprime mortgage crisis. Find who's responsible, and check the "Early Life" section. You'll start to notice a pattern, and you'll know who was responsible for the 2008 recession.

[@lauriephillips8054]

So you know the ratchet effect. Easy to raise prices, but the other way much more difficult. This will be our life going forward. They need to lower the poverty level accordingly. Its the least they could do.

[@Bernd69420]

@@lauriephillips8054 The poverty level will be the same as in 1920s germany if we don't do what they did to fix it.

[@LuckyPlays]

Econ major here also. This is one of the most honest talks about inflation I've seen anywhere. He very accurately spreads the blame at a large number of factors, a perfect storm. A lot of the Left is in denial that stimulus (even Trump's stimulus) and rising wages are factors in inflation; and a lot of the Right are in denial that there is a severe supply chain problem.

[@TheWhytWulf]

At about 10.5 minutes in, John said "the larger macroeconomic point." But I was still hung up on the penguin story, so I heard "the larger mackerel economic point" and had to pause it to fully understand what had been said.

[@Tobarja]

I'm going to need you to tell me the difference between these two pictures...

[@Alex-jy5lv]

Wait, he didn't say that?

[@charlieseen]

"But the bigger fish in the pond here is..."

[@silvasilvasilva]

I heard the same!

[@JoeCarlinCA]

Thank you for my heartiest chuckle of the morning!

[@Oliviathe17th]

My wife is already panicking, so many questions! will the rate cut lead to inflation? I'm very worried about my $1million stock portfolio losing value. What strategies should I be employing in my portfolio right now?

[@CadeCowell-ft4fe]

Consult a financial advisor for Rebalancing, Risk Assessment, and ensure that your portfolio is well-diversified across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate.

[@MalikTillman-dy2qp]

True, my porfolio took a massive hit in 2022, and I almost sold everything to switch to cash savings. However, I was advised to consult a pro. Following the guidance of this CFA, my portolio started increasing by 10% monthly. She had anticipated the crash and rebalanced my portflio accordingly.

[@MalikTillman-dy2qp]

Jennifer Leigh Hickman is the licensed advisor I use. Just search the name. You’d find necessary details to work with to set up an appointment.

[@Izzobird]

Wow, her track record looks really good from what I found online.i just filled the form and scheduled for a call. Thanks to you

[@R4Y7]

BOTS 🤖🤖🤖

[@petuniapop7819]

John slowly, but aggressively leaning into his furry fandom over the years is my favorite quiet subplot in TV history lmao.

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

You laugh, but the Therians and Otherkin are next in line for getting their rights mainstreamed

[@deeznutz5825]

7:15, I was hoping for reggie :/

[@ablunt-headedtreesnake6094]

Well what would you expect from America's second favorite Zazu?

[@inconvenienttruths7953]

Now it makes sense why $70 billion worth of US Tax Payer wealth is sent to prolong/exacerbate the war in Ukrainie enriching the coffers of the US/UK military industrial complex not to mention the $300 billion of US Tax Payer wealth being donated to US chip manufacturers while Pelosis profit from insider trading on NVIDIA Chip stock. Thanks to political hacks like John Oliver and other late night clowns, truths always get buried while distracting and brainwashing their young and dumb audience, as usual....

[@kathryngeeslin9509]

Been hating shrinkflation for more than fifty years. Finally came to expect it, like corporate greed and international war.

[@mtn1793]

Just another hit against quality of life.

[@valeriejean6507]

Shrinkflation is nothing new.... I've known about it for years.

[@luisandrade2254]

@@mtn1793 still better then raising prices

[@mtn1793]

@@luisandrade2254 Wait. Less product for same money? That IS raising prices man.

[@randallcauley9484]

quite the mosh up here. I think you're on to something. There are great timeline analyses (and some very clear and direct causal models) for the three horsemen you've named here. Yup. They're pretty kinked.

[@TheIdeanator]

Working in manufacturing, I gotta say a huge part of this inflation is a supply chain issue. Suppliers are straight up cutting us off or effectively so with insane lead times of >1yr.

[@mc76]

Exactly-the entire auto industry is on hold-from the factories to the dealers to the customers-because the manufacturers can't get computer chips. That has nothing to do with corporate greed, Putin's war, or Biden's stimuli.

[@pjbiggleswerth8903]

Gas

[@JT0007]

Why are they cutting you off? Are the suppliers doing this US, foreign, or both do it?

[@vintagearisen]

I'm in international imports. The supply chain is by far the biggest factor of inflation in my opinion. We've been hitting delays at every step of the supply chain process, from raw materials shortages to factory shutdowns to shipping container shortages to port congestion to railyard congestion to trucker shortages. If your job gives you any visibility whatsoever on the supply chain as a whole, you know. Drives me crazy when people blame Biden for it, like what's he supposed to do about the entire global supply chain being completely fucked?

[@IGDetail]

50 years of JIT inventory (including heavy off-shoring) caught off-guard by a global pandemic.

[@FrancesRyan-b2p]

The economy is favorable to those who where able to get themselves into one investment or another, most people see investment as something big they can’t participate in because they’re too scared to venture into one. Today we have a lot of opportunities to invest in different commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies and so much more but some people just sees this as a challenge and shy away from it

[@MarcosAlonso-wx8uw]

So true, thanks for bringing this up to my notice, the truth is this economy wouldn’t be so bad if people indulge themselves more with various investments rather than just depending on their stipends and savings, because the economy wouldn’t always remain as it was

[@HarrisonThomas-fx1qx]

It is good we acquire as much wealth as we can, most people fail to understand what it takes to become wealthy, they want to become wealthy overnight by thinking their savings will help them attain that, they fail to understand that investment is what truly builds wealth. I advise you all key into investing and earn side money than depending on your savings if you truly want to be wealthy

[@AlmedaKandemir]

Because of the economic crisis and the rate of unemployment, now is the best time to invest in crypto and make money 💯. But you have to invest with the right broker. Anyone here that Know more about crypto currency let talk more about it

[@SandraPatterson-di6xh]

There are series of distinct market phases that occur between the market peak and low

[@ShaniquaMcquiller]

Naturally, there's a lot of math involved in crypto/forex trading. but this is often presented in forms of daunting technical charts, indicators, patterns.

[@Thedonutchan]

The mom talking about how the kids being just as self conscious about spending reminds me of having to hop into dumpsters for recyclables so we wouldn't lose the house because I was too young to get a real job.

[@thelandofyellow7714]

I can't tell if you're being serious or not and that's really freaky. lol

[@seffishestopal5950]

I also can’t tell if this is real or not

[@sevans606]

Gotta do what ya gotta do

[@goomyman23]

i cant imagine being just 20 dollars short on a house payment ( how much can you possibly make from recycling ). I feel like housing is one of those things where you hit a point where its just unafforable and you cant save yourself with a single paycheck, penny scrimping, or begging on the street or in your case searching for cash. At best its delaying the inevitable which in the case of housing luckily already has some built in delays in terms of laws preventing immediate eviction. If i found myself strugging to make rent i think the best bet would be to stop paying as soon as possible and start saving for your future potentially homelessness because any money going to rent / mortgage is a lossed cause.

[@DudeSolid]

I've been there. My dad used to let me from school on may 6 when we lived in a mostly mexican neighborhood. We would spend most the school day collecting cans. We would go to Wendy's for frostys afterward.

[@paulbaker847]

There will always be issues like this in a society that values things over people.

[@pirojfmifhghek566]

True, but people need things. Money and goods have to circulate. The real problem is that citizens are going to be the ones who inevitably get the short end of the stick, because the one link in the chain of the inflationary cycle that takes the longest to adjust to the changing markets is... wages. Most of the time we only get one chance in a blue moon to ask for a decent raise, and if inflation jumps up drastically afterwards you're SOL. But if we'd maybe paid our employees well enough _to begin with_ we might not have been seeing the massive supply issues that we were seeing across the country. Major trucking and warehouse shortages were all over the place, but nobody was racing to pick up the slack because the jobs pay too little and they have godawful working conditions. So on that front, you're absolutely 100% right that we're not putting enough value on people here. The price of paying people more will cause prices to increase, yes, but at the end of the day we're more likely to see a gainful recovery from it that actually solves the core problem we have, which is supply issues and productivity. We're deep in the shit because the Fed tried to fill in the gaps using pure monetary policy, but they can't just pull all of that lost GDP out of their hat like it's a magic trick! Yet that's all they know to do. All they have is a hammer and everything looks like a nail to them.

[@rkontna]

Amen Comrade

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

Well, specifically an unequal society would value things over people

[@theBear89451]

Why use the derogatory term "things", when the term "standard of living" is more accurate?

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

@@theBear89451 Objects are objects. "Things" in reference to objects is not derogatory in any way, shape, or form.

[@alightmedia4921]

how is it possible that an hbo comedy show is delivering more differentiated and balanced journalism than any other american news outlet? as always, my hat to you last week tonight. impressed as always.

[@timothymiddleton6651]

Same guy who, a couple years ago told you inflation was not a certainty post money printing bonanza.

[@alexpatrick2522]

Oh, I love John, but he definitely has his own agenda. How many stories has he done over the years where he shows both sides of an issue? Usually, all democrats good, all republicans bad. Entertaining, but not balanced.

[@LinkRocks]

@@alexpatrick2522 Right wing talking points from you.

[@OneTwoFourFloor]

This show unfortunately isn’t balanced at all. I watch him all the time, but it’s mostly left leaning. I fully enjoy the topics where politics are not involved

[@adogonasidecar1262]

In this case he conveniently forgot to discuss the effect of sanctions... Not unbiased at all

[@Abcsam86]

I love how he always takes the piss out of Jim Cramer lol

[@Zedetnik]

John Oliver: "See... I need 18 grand to buy three pseudopornographic sculptures of frogs" Budget Dept. : "Wait, what?" John Oliver: "We are going to explain inflation to the American people" Budget Dept. : * *Pulling off a little jar from the desk* * John Oliver: "And my garden needs them" Budget Dept. : * *snorting cocaine heavily* * "Approved, here's the check"

[@armchairgravy8224]

It's HBO. The place is 85% cocaine.

[@LordPadriac]

@@armchairgravy8224 In the 80s HBO was 85% cocaine. Meth, molly, fentanyl and fentanyl laced heroin have shrunk cocaine's market share.

[@pixcelation]

@@youdontknowmebut tell that to Nintendo

[@lightningqueen1145]

Ok but are they keeping their cocaine in a jar? Come on that's not smart, what if they drop the jar and their dog goes and licks up all the cocaine like the addict it is?

[@jamesonrosen1773]

"Little" yeah ok

[@absentcoder4552]

All I know about inflation is: If you’re not getting a 7% raise a year, you’re getting a pay cut.

[@Squintis]

well shit, when you put it that way, you really feel how everyone is getting screwed.

[@cd6xc]

And good luck for those right-to-work states to get some bargaining with their employers.

[@tonysavarese]

Just depends, do you commute alot? If you drive alot, a 7 percent raise actually is not enough when you consider gas prices have raised by 40-50 percent. Just depends on where you spend your cash. But yes, generally speaking, we all got a "pay cut" while asking to do more during labor issues. It's bs man.

[@groobs]

Holyshit the employer literally always taking gross advantage of the employees I hateeeeee reality

[@KarthikShanmugamkoundy]

Yep

[@jessjaffe3427]

“Large flightless bird that’s a bitch” made me laugh out loud. After chemo. Bless you!

[@jasperpretzle]

The new featherless biped ... Diogenes is quaking

[@RonkeMuffin]

Hope you're doing okay!!

[@jessjaffe3427]

Much better thanks.

[@Riggsnic_co]

Understanding personal finances and investing will most likely lead to greater financial independence. By being knowledgeable about money and investing, individuals can make informed decisions about how to save, spend, and invest their money. A trader made over $350k in this recession influenced market

[@bob.weaver72]

Stocks are pretty unstable at the moment, but if you do the right math, you should be just fine. Bloomberg and other finance media have been recording cases of folks gaining over 250k just in a matter of weeks/couple months, so I think there are alot of wealth transfer in this downtime if you know where to look.

[@hermanramos7092]

The best course of action if you lack market knowledge is to ask a consultant or investing coach for guidance or assistance. Speaking with a consultant helped me stay afloat in the market and grow my portfolio to about 65% since January, even though I know it sounds obvious or generic. I believe that is the most effective way to enter the business at the moment.

[@kenanporubsky2122]

@@hermanramos7092 Please who is the consultant that assist you with your investment and if you don't mind, how do I get in touch with this person

[@kenanporubsky2122]

@@hermanramos7092 I am going to look her up, I have about $81k i want to start with, might be small but it's better than nothing though. Since the 08 crash is playing out again.

[@angeliclucas301]

When you live on $12,000 a year because your disabled informed decisions ha! Groceries cost a third of my monthly income and it should not be this way.

[@CayeDaws]

What's funny about the Gatorade one is that both bottles are still sold at the same time.

[@rwbeckman]

My local grocery store was not selling the 32oz a few days ago. I think it may be a slow transition wherein all varities are slowly transitioning. Powerade has already followed suit, so the smaller size 28oz is on sale for 99 cents again like the old size used to be.

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

It's the thirst mutilator. It's got electrolytes.

[@ctdieselnut]

I think they have been making both bottles for years, they may/may not be phasing out the older bigger 32 oz style, idk. Whether or not he was right about the Gatorade example, his point still stands. I swear the beef patties on a Wendy's burger are getting smaller, in addition to everything else that is 100% going down by weight/volume. We don't have to argue about it when the listed net weight is literally reduced.

[@jamesborck5908]

I don’t drink Gatorade I only drink brawndo it’s got what plants crave

[@Call_Upon_YAH]

Hey! Did you know God is three in one!? The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit! Bless him! Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and gives salvation to everyone who has faith in him! True faith in Jesus will have you bear good fruit and *drastically* change for the better! Have a blessed day, everyone!! ❤

[@carabinercara]

I wish I could be a fly on the wall during budget meetings for this show. Imagine having to justify purchasing not one, but THREE giant suggestive frog statues to your boss.

[@yipiyayo3035]

they will immediately approve if they see the fly

[@redx1708]

No wonder Oliver has ruled the Emmys for years. This is comedy, investigative and educational journalism on a level of its own. Respect !!!

[@johnschumer2174]

Really? He and the rest of Hollywood has done nothing but support Biden until now. What fantasy are you living in?

[@redx1708]

@@johnschumer2174 Right, in your MAGA world it's all Biden's fault. Of course.

[@Guizambaldi]

John and team, I'm a macroeconomist in the PhD, and I always find your pieces on economics incredibly good. It's much better than most media covers. Thank you very much for your seriousness and willingness to listen to experts.

[@nonbreapelido3549]

If you were a phd in macro you would know that the literature proved long ago that inflation is a monetary phenomena, not all this multicausal bullshit they talk about

[@theBear89451]

Exept for the end. He should have said the current recession is good for the long term economy.

[@MH-eu1dr]

Macroeconomist in the Phd? I hope you had a really good proof reader for your dissertation.

[@ibmtpx24]

@@MH-eu1dr I see you like to make fun of non narive English speakers. Great job being an ___.

[@ZhangtheGreat]

The more I watch this show, the more I'm convinced that it's nothing more than an excuse for John to purchase weird shit he'd otherwise never be able to 😅

[@Zedetnik]

Pretty much, yeah

[@UncleJimmi_ID]

And to force HBO to make giant donations for essentially no reason

[@phoenixnoire2435]

In order to be allowed to purchase all three, he should have at least got the definition of inflation right... I mean, if he doesn't even know what inflation is, why is he talking for 20 minutes about it?

[@jlev1028]

@@phoenixnoire2435 What did he get about inflation wrong? It is caused in part by scarcity of goods.

[@phoenixnoire2435]

@@jlev1028 no. That is absolutely not inflation. Inflation is when the overall money supply is increased (when they print more money). Now you have the same amount of dollars, but it takes more of them to pay for things. That's why they call it inflation. You can solve it overnight by destroying a portion of the money supply. But corporate shill pseudoliberal Jon Oliver is never going to tell you to eat the rich. What he was talking about was other financial phenomena such as supply and demand, which also have an impact on prices, but are very much different from inflation.

[@jkuhl2492]

Love that John Oliver always makes some weirdass purchase no one would ever think of, and then manages to work it into whatever topic his show is discussing lol.

[@firstlast8258]

You love that he spends money on dumb stuff while most of the country can’t afford basic necessities?

[@bongoblast9831]

@@firstlast8258 yes! I love that!

[@Zedetnik]

I will always wonder and suddenly feel aghast of the thought of where TF is he searching for getting those items listed?

[@firstlast8258]

@@bongoblast9831 🤡🖕

[@jenniferscott3176]

for the tax write off right

[@gingerkilkus]

Economists and business leaders are voicing concerns at the start of 2023 that the year could be a difficult one. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said that the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates to 6% to fight inflation, higher than the peak level between 5% and 5.5% in 2023 that most Fed officials penciled in after their December meeting. Although I read an article of people that grossed profits up to $500k during this crash, what are the best stocks to buy/short now or put on a watchlist.

[@lowcostfresh2266]

Very correct; the bear market has contributed significantly to the growth of my investment. I was able to quickly increase my portfolio from $180K to $472K. Essentially, I was just doing as my financial advisor instructed. You're good to go as long as you get competent assistance.

[@TomD226]

@@lowcostfresh2266 Would it be okay if I asked you to recommend this specific advisor or company that you used their services? Seems you've figured it all out.

[@lowcostfresh2266]

@@TomD226 I won't pretend to know everything, though. Her name is Laurel Dell Sroufe but I won't say anything more. Most likely, you can find her basic information online; you are welcome to do further study.

[@missmythical0.033]

Bots

[@seffishestopal5950]

John Oliver always finds a way to make the most serious topics funny, and I love him for that! The frog statues were gold!

[@manateema23]

Also, I think it was very necessary for the topic this time since it is affecting at least 90% of the population right now every day.

[@shaggysaurus]

Actually he specified the frogs are emerald patina, not gold.

[@seffishestopal5950]

@@shaggysaurus as in comedy gold

[@steve-ph9yg]

Ribbit Ribbit Ribbit 🐸

[@bodbn]

Oliver is a globalist shill.

[@stephaniec3022]

The story about the kids hit me hard. I was a kid during the 2008 recession and remember being terrified my parents would lose their jobs and not have enough for food or our house.

[@firstlast8258]

Your parents should have thought about that before having children

[@theAppleWizz]

Prepare for the next one. We are already in a recession most people don’t know it…

[@megaultrasonic]

@@firstlast8258 So pretty much everyone shouldn't have kids because they could theoretically get laid off in a recession? Get real.

[@hayuseen6683]

First last dumbest is right, the average person can predict recessions 17 years ahead of time, easily.

[@RyanStorey1231]

@@firstlast8258 I'm sorry, but most people's parents don't have psychic foresight to foresee a recession taking place in the year of our lord 2008. I'm really happy that your parents were blessed with such an ability, though. I'm sure it's very useful.

[@christianedavi5166]

As a Brazilian is so cute to see how other nations react to something that has ever been our reality. You have my sympathy.

[@gemelwalters2942]

I was thinking the same. For many families things have been going back on the shelf and calculating the bill before going to the cashier has been going on for decades.

[@episodesglow]

Corrupt governments tend to do that

[@christianedavi5166]

@Deerheart Yes... Poor are poor anywhere. But poverty is always worse with inflation.

[@MarcoScetta]

Christiane saludos desde Argentina! Nosotros si sabemos de inflación.

[@cd6xc]

Yeah, my parents would look like"12% year? That's cute".

[@vikramdmello]

One of the best mass-market (and entertaining to boot) explanations of an incredibly nuanced and complex topic I've come across 👏

[@namehere4954]

Oil dropped so low during first 2 years of covid that hundreds of wells were plugged. Those poor starving oil tycoons need to make up for those losses...what a racket!

[@gregbors8364]

It’s literally the world’s most-profitable industry. That’s why we’ll never really address global warming

[@eyescreamization]

I think You nailed it. It's just about getting the Money back that they burned durig Covid.

[@karabomafa5609]

They blocking the supply of a lot of goods so every greedy tycoon can raise prices

[@MichaelBristow137]

It really is quite sad, I'm sure they had no choice other than laying off the people that made them their money... Because companies no longer have any respect/obligations for their employees. Just look at Walmart, or Bezos. Their employees are on food stamps, or are peeing in soda bottles... Corporations really can't regulate themselves. Some business owners do right by their employees, but when profits over caring about your employees is mandated, it's not surprising that basically no one has a pension, or health insurance, or job security... All the while record profits for many companies...

[@Styphon]

@@MichaelBristow137 And you can safely bet on this - Amazon is trying to find a way to profit off of those piss-filled bottles. "Introducing Amazon's Own Drug-Free Urine Kits! Need to pass a test? We've got what you need"

[@yankee1112]

Dude that guy raging about his 20$ gas tank fill up has me rolling 😂😂😂 that’s humanity right there lol

[@StupidTVclips]

He bought a NEW car so F HIM! it's a Red Bull rant we can live without.

[@marcusschnellinger5067]

You guys literally made a 20 min KZbin video about all the things I learned in two Semesters of economics - and you really did a good job explaining it

[@naonna1]

The radio show called 'marketplace' on national public radio is a very user-friendly way to learn about the economy. - It's on every weekday and is a great listen even if you don't often care much about money. The show has some flaws, but is still a good starting point to making your own conclusions about various economic issues or to research more.

[@juliegraham1126]

Ed really missed the opportunity to tell Gatorade to "get a grip". Come on, Ed.

[@mho...]

Some day i hope, there will be a "lastWeekTonight" Museum, filled with all the Gems John spend Money on!

[@Happymali10]

There is, it's called the Prop Department.

[@mho...]

@@Happymali10 aah yeah?! then show me where the entrance & ticket counter are for the public to get in there then 🤦‍♂

[@jeffredfern3744]

The old joke always stays relevant: A priest, an engineer and an economist were stranded together on a desert island. Given their location, fish seemed to be a logical source of food. So, they discussed how to get some. The priest said that the three of them should pray. The engineer said he thought a better approach would be to fashion a net from materials on the island. The priest and the engineer then turned to the economist for his input. With his hand on his chin, the economist thought for a moment and then looked up and said, “Assume a fish.”

[@mtn1793]

The fact that I don’t get the punchline describes economists perfectly! Haha!

[@pirojfmifhghek566]

And as soon as the economist said that, suddenly three investment bankers jumped out of the bushes and said "I'll borrow against that fish!" and used that to buy more fish.

[@scottgrindrod]

OMG YES! As a scientist, the number of assumptions economists make is laughable. Then when you challenge them with data, they *immediately* resort to an appeal to authority like "But Milton Freidman said...."

[@1lifeonearth]

That makes no sense

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

@@mtn1793 "and That is The Point" anything to keep the masses from inquiring "where is the money ‽" easy: it's like in sovirussia - gone.

[@Dumbstuffwatcher]

Since workers are being overcharged and overworked, it's time for folks to learn about where our rights came from. Not from our creator- they are all written in blood. The podcast "Cool People who Did Cool Stuff" is a history of labor movements in the US and they spell out how those in power have always been more than willing to beat, kill and starve workers to keep them in line. May Day (Workers' Rights Day everywhere else but the US) needs to make a resurgence.

[@rlud304]

Union!

[@burnerburner408]

Didn't expect to find a recommendation for this here. Also check out the other coolzone media stuff like Behind the Bastards and The Womens War.

[@IndigoBellyDance]

Thank u, I will check out:)

[@adrianna5378]

Thank you! I will definitely check it out. The US has a huge history of exploiting people for labor. That’s how our country was built.

[@TomisaLami]

Here here !!!!!!!! 😍😚😸😻😃😄😁

[@ThePatrioticAmerican4L]

Given reduced inflation signals and as the Federal Reserve has halted rate hikes, what are the best additions for a $120K portfolio to enhance the overall performance of my portfolio this year

[@JosephMartin7226]

Look for stocks that have paid steady, increasing dividends for years (or decades), and have not cut their dividends even during recessions. Alternatively speaking to a certified market strategist can help with pointers on equities to acquire

[@michaellaw321]

True, some folks employ hedging strategies or devote a portion of their portfolio to defensive assets that perform well during market downturns and such pointers are provided by engaging the services of market experts just like i did in 2019, amid rona-outbreak, and as of today, i can boost of a 45% enhancement on my $1m portfolio after acquiring assets recommended by my advisor.

[@theTeslaking]

I need a guide so i can salvage my port-folio and come up with better strategies. How can one reach this advisor?

[@michaellaw321]

Her name is “Sharon Ann Meny ’’ can't divulge much. Most likely, the internet should have her basic info, you can research if you like

[@theTeslaking]

I just googled her and I'm really impressed with her credentials; I reached out to her since I need all the assistance I can get. I just scheduled a caII.

[@imfrcd]

I was in line at the grocery store and, just like the Mom in the video, a Mom with two kids had trouble with her credit card and started to put stuff back. I took my card and bought her groceries, said "felice navidad" and smiled. I had always wanted to do that and highly recommend it. I felt great all day. Just pay it forward.

[@jaymuke257]

Wtf is felice ?

[@DK-zu6tt]

@@jaymuke257 Happy. Felice Navidad is Happy Christmas, or Felice Complianos=Happy Birthday.

[@snowjae9380]

That’s so kind of you. We need more ppl like this in the world

[@imfrcd]

@@snowjae9380 Thanks.

[@kirbyeatsyou5248]

That's honestly inspiring, thanks for sharing that

[@SuraimuWasTaken]

Hi there, gas station worker here and I can confirm that 80 percent of my job is talking outraged people down from yelling about the gas prices. The other 20 percent is me telling people that "If I had a nickel for every person who got mad at me about the gas prices I could afford to fill up every car in this city."

[@kappadarwin9476]

This is the price of car culture sadly.

[@gregbors8364]

@@kappadarwin9476 My car culture gets me to my work culture

[@ilenastarbreeze4978]

@@gregbors8364 you could have transit that would do it more effectively to do so , thats what they do in europe

[@LindaC616]

@@ilenastarbreeze4978 it's not easily equated to Europe. We're bigger, our cities are less dense

[@sportyeight7769]

@@LindaC616 And yet, trains and public transports could have saved your wallet (and the environment)

[@berryberrykixx]

The fact that the fed didn't react fast enough is exactly why P-EBT (extra SNAP benefits for food) should not be ending this month!!! When people who are barely making it lose that extra mid-month extra for food (here in Ohio it is $98), our food banks will be overwhelmed. This will become a serious problem. It needs to be extended to the end of the year so those who are homeless, disabled, elderly, etc., can EAT!!!

[@Masterrunescapeer]

Tbh, it should be permanent for those who are that low income. How are you supposed to get decent work if you have to worry about whether there will be enough food on the table, and people (especially kids) will not be able to study/grow without. It's sad how bad the US social safety net is.

[@bwenluck9812]

Oh, puhleeze!!! Wasn't it Ron Reagan who said we can "evolve" to meet the environment??? All you have to do is work on your "intermittent fasting"!!!! Just a reminder: Republicans will invest in anything *but* the American people. Please remember that when you go to the polls in November! They even voted against feeding babies!!! 😡

[@KitC916]

I've been begging this show to do a special on SSI, not SSD, for years. SSI is a 40-year-old system that has highly punitive and misogynistic rules and people on SSI cannot get married without risking losing their entire SSI despite the fact that getting SSI in the first place is pretty definitive proof that you can't work, most households require more than one income to survive and what happens because the rent is too damn high is that disabled people end up living with their families forever, or HOMELESS, invisible and powerless in this society. OR we could actually pay disabled people enough to be independent, since being disabled isn't a crime, right? The average SSI benefit (not SSD since some people are born disabled or become disabled in their 20s and that's also not a crime), the average SSI benefit is $300 to $500 a month, good luck trying to live on that: pay rent and pay bills, transportation, clothing, and no luxuries of any kind, heaven forbid, but good luck trying to find roommates on that (it's also illegal to refuse it as a form of rent payment but that discrimination and housing is rampant, and I've also asked this show to report on it). Anyone can become disabled at any time, so people should start caring about SSI before the long Covid sets in and you realize that you can't live on it. Our current SSI system treats disabled people like children and acts as though they have no personal expenses whatsoever, and should just live an incredibly deprived life because of the non-crime of being disabled. Also, we need universal health care separated from employment, so that people can take any job and not be chained to a job for the healthcare: this is a concept every other country has already discovered. A lot of disabled people want to return to work, but cannot afford to work to pay only for their health care (premiums, copays, deductibles, medications) and then, because of the cost of healthcare literally not be able to pay rent or bills because of the cost of healthcare. It's pretty demoralizing to be disabled and work and have all of your hard work eaten up by healthcare costs and then still not be economically secure even though you're working. Work should bring economic security, not just for abled people. Social media is full of stories of non-disabled people who have employer-based healthcare who then become ill, not even disabled, and wind up going broke from a singular illness. How are disabled people supposed to return to work? Oh... if we're deliberately keeping them out of the workforce because we refuse to have universal healthcare, then we need to pay disabled people more than $500 a month to live on. You all were complaining about $2,000 stimulus checks, try being disabled. Enough is enough. If you have even one friend who's disabled, you need to be writing to your elected officials about SSI, not SSD. The two have deliberately similar names deliberately to confuse people, or people can also use the internet that's in their own hands to look up the differences and look up why SSI is so punishing to disabled people.

[@berryberrykixx]

@@KitC916 Oh I do know. I have a friend on SSI. He desperately wishes to get married to my friend Julia but they both need their benefits more (she is on SSDI). I too am on SSDI; I get $854/month. I also get it. Especially the discrimination part. I have written to my elected officials about all forms of Social Security, including retirement with all of these people (including my mother) who have to come out of retirement to work. None of this is ok. I consider myself extremely lucky that my county opened up the housing list so I won't be homeless. And it's much easier to house a single person than a family in Toledo. My roommate just absconded, literally three days ago, and rent is due on the third. I have a leak in the second bedroom where I live that can't be patched up so I can't even find another roommate. My mom, luckily for me, is going to keep me here until I get a place; it will be before Winter. I know others aren't so lucky and I am extremely grateful for what I have. I know for a fact that if I didn't have any help, I'd be dead.

[@cloudyblaze7916]

With markets tumbling, inflation soaring, the Fed imposing large interest-rate hike, while treasury yields are rising rapidly-which means more red ink for portfolios this quarter. How can I profit from the current volatile market, I'm still at a crossroads deciding if to liquidate my $125k bond/stocck portfolio

[@kaylawood9053]

@@angelastewart3256 Right, I've been in constant touch with a fiinancial-analyst since covid . You know these days it's really easy to buy into trending stock`s, but the task is determining when to buy or sell . My advisorr decides entry and exit commands on my portfoliio, I've accrued over $550k from an initially stagnant reserve of $150K

[@albacus2400BC]

@@kaylawood9053 Please can you leave the info of your investment advisor here? I’m in dire need for one

[@SmokezHerb]

In order to save money you have to cash app me all your money please

[@Baalenciaga666]

lol this is the dumbest thing I have ever read. This is like community theater

[@seraphonica]

Can't wait for those frogs to be used again next Last Week as an excellent illustration of insider trading. John. We know what you did, John. Some of us have won the lottery in the Last Week, John. We Want Our Lottery Frogs, John.

[@andrewdl6824]

One thing to add, from an economist, is that in the era of data and information, companies today more easily know when consumers have disposable income and when they can increase profits through price increases. That change used to be slower or, due to competition between businesses, it wouldn't happen much at all. Even when there isn't an oligarchy in an industry, competition doesn't have the same effect it used to. There's also something called "elasticity of demand" that indicates when increased prices won't reduce demand. This occurs with necessary goods and services when there's little or no competition in the market. In the current information age, any increase in the minimum wage or average wage will be quickly siphoned away. Any economic stimulus given to the lower income brackets will be siphoned away. It's become necessary to get more federally involved in regulating prices.

[@kappadarwin9476]

I have a question. I heard America is really anti-competition. I got that feeling when I saw Facebook buy out Snapchat I think?

[@jgdooley2003]

This probably explains the current trend in issuing loyalty cards to customers. Supermarkets can track down to store level or even further the buying patterns of their customers and target stock mixes and price structures to different towns and regions.

[@eddenoy321]

Please explain why this happened in 1980 as well, before the information age.

[@Brian-tn4cd]

@@eddenoy321 quite easily actually, same reason, less computers, more people, it wasn't down to an exact science but it still gave companies data they could use

[@Frenziefrenz]

@@eddenoy321 I think you're missing at least one or two decades for the point you're trying to make. :-) Barcodes were new in the '70s and fairly commonplace by 1980 for example.

[@reiteration6273]

It's interesting to see how inflation is being viewed in other countries. I'm in the UK, and over here it mostly gets blamed on electricity costs.

[@meandthepotatoes4916]

We got to renationalise

[@jmurray1110]

Not just electricity we especially need to renationalise the rail system trains and amazing but we just let companies buy the routes and increase costs without any improvements

[@pattheplanter]

@@jmurray1110 Also BT and allow councils to build council houses.

[@jmurray1110]

@@pattheplanter also nam landlordship

[@Leo-sx1ds]

It's bizarre that the British media never mentions the huge increase in the money supply, and beyond belief that many people blame Brexit, when UK/EU inflation is about the same and Eurozone Estonia has 23% inflation!!!

[@alexyoung3126]

As recession fears mount on Wall Street and inflation remains well above the Fed's 2% target, some of the top commentators in markets, business, and economics have been sounding off on just how bad they think the next downturn might be - and how far stocks may have to fall. I need ideas and advice on what investments to make to set myself up for retirement, my goal is to have a portfolio of at least $850k at the age of 60.

[@joesphcu8975]

It’s precisely at times like these that investors need to be on guard against the next certainty. You don’t have to act on every forecast, hence i will suggest you get yourself a financial-advisor that can provide you with entry and exit points on the shares/ETF you focus on.

[@lawerencemiller9720]

I'll suggest you create a diversification strategy because building a good financial-portfolio has been more complex since covid. Recently my colleague advised me to hire an advisor, surprisingly I have accrued over $120K under the guidance of my coach during this crash. She figured out Defensive strategies to protect my portfolio and make profit from this roller coaster market.

[@lawerencemiller9720]

@@stephaniestella213 Having a coach is key in a volatile market, My advisor is " *Ingrid Cecilia Raad* " You can easily look her up, she has years of financial market experience.

[@apache1234657]

invest in resthomes haha

[@MinamiX3]

@@stephaniestella213 I'd look for a fiduciary financial advisors. I wouldn't trust a financial advisor without that.

[@qienna6677]

I understand why, but tax not being included in the advertised price of a product is something I'm so glad I don't have to deal with in New Zealand. Customers shouldn't be having to work out the tax in line at the checkout.

[@Doomsday604]

It's really not that hard

[@iSugarHeart]

@@Doomsday604 You assume that everyone has the same mental capacity you do. I have learnt that thats not the case and sometimes its not their own fault either, thats just how things are .

[@jonathanplatt5027]

@@iSugarHeart There's no need to do it in your head. I have a cousin with cognitive disabilities who solved this problem in the 1980s by using a 25 cent calculator. Price x 1.05 (tax rate for him at the time), then M+. Truth be told, it was actually a little more complicated for him as he lived in a state that didn't tax grocery items, so you had to understand where that line was. The Venn intersection of people who can keep the running total of their purchases in their head, but not figure a % tax increase on that number is going to be pretty small. To @Qienna, no one has to work out the tax in line at the checkout. The machine will do it for you, and provide you with a receipt.

[@lisaharris452]

If you ever stay in a US hotel, you really must know that the advertised room rate doesn't equal what you'll pay. The various taxes can add up to *50%* more so keep an eye out for that small print . . . though I bet there are closer and more appealing places to spend your vacation.

[@qienna6677]

@@lisaharris452 Thank you for the warning, I would never have realised that!

[@52156drj]

As usual... A comedian gives us the most succinct and understandable explanation of current events.

[@blanket4763]

Society

[@seraph4]

Interested to know how a decade+ of quantitative easing affected inflation

[@ericpeters0n]

Credit John with being as much a journalist as a comedian. A spoon full of sugar...

[@ericpeters0n]

@@seraph4 Complicated, but it also supported an unprecedented period of (admittedly unsustainable) economic growth by many metrics. Imo it's important to acknowledge that "economic policy" is in many ways broad-strokes voodoo with the goal of creating broad financial/quality-of-life improvements. It's far from scientific, and there's a fundamental house-of-cards nature to it. 2008 was a lesson in the impact of runaway greed that broke the system, and as Oliver notes, the world-historical event of the pandemic set the whole textbook on fire.

[@goncalosimoes113]

Maybe it's because our reality is comedy...

[@CarlDillynson]

Prices are up due to inflation but they’re not going to come back down once this is over. Whatever price the product is once this is all over is the new normal price, which will be significantly higher than before. Wages, however, will not rise as fast. The middle, working and “lower” class is being royally screwed right now.

[@KitC916]

"Price stickiness" is a real thing that people can look up from themselves and then decide to buy as little as possible to reduce demand ...but ultimately, the biggest source of inflation for most people is housing and we need to regulate renting and landlords now. no landlord should be allowed to buy multiple properties while the properties they have are in disrepair. That's a common sense thing that we could actually put into law right now, along with maybe not requiring people to fork over thousands of dollars at once in order to just even have shelter that these things called security deposits that no one ever gets back when they move out should either be banned or heavily regulated, or spread out over the course of the lease you're being changed into anyway, it's ridiculous that we can get more information about hotel rooms than rentals, we need more public information about what landlords refuse to do repair so that people can really shop wisely for housing... it's a real racket that everybody makes money off of except the renter.

[@anthonyv1971]

Not unless a crash happens

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

@@KitC916 That is very much a thing - markets are specific to income brackets. The housing market is absolutely flooded with over-zealous and prospecting rich people made much more rich by Trump's stimulus and increased market leverage. While some markets will not be fixed via taxing the rich, the housing market absolutely would be. We seriously need to reduce the demand from specifically speculative buyers.

[@Censortubes]

All by design.

[@walterwang2011]

If you are young and working you shouldn't worry about inflation burst over the long term. Your wage is going to adjust to inflation over time, and the impact to your long term standard of living is going to be minimal. Instead of a tax on middle income families, inflation is really a tax on the retired people who live on annuities. As their income won't change.

[@singproud22]

Almost two years later now, and it hasn't gotten much better. Food prices are somewhat stabilized but much higher than they were before, rent has spiked all over the country, and gas is spiking again. We're just gonna keep getting squeezed into oblivion while corporations report record profits and buy back stocks.

[@n1vca]

There are at least two things that make my Mondays, one of them is this segment - absolutely genius to merge current global problems with good research and analysis, boil it down into understandable chunks of information and add plenty of exactly my kind of humor (though I am German) - f'ing love it! John Oliver - you and your entire team are brilliant - Greetings from Munich, Germany

[@jmg8888]

John, just so you know, I find your shows not only hilariously entertaining but also highly educational in a way the average Joe can understand. The punchlines, timing, and delivery are flawless. Am a huge fan as are thousands of other fans across the globe. Cheers!

[@vonfleming2178]

I was just telling my friend this very exact thing.

[@heresjohnny130]

It is funny but only half true. He gives the Fed and the government way too much slack.

[@theBear89451]

@@heresjohnny130 John is a big government fanboy. Notice all his "solutions" will actually make things less affordable.

[@groobs]

You people who would rather the government look the other way are scary, the free market isn't gonna fix things we need government, look I hate hate it too but we need it . If we leave everything up to the states and free market people with less than will be the ones to hurt , what else is new. Idk but fuck goddamn