macro economic thoughts in the rain

James Brown in the background
belting, "Shake your moneymaker!"

movements in prices
are signals
a heartbeat
a baby's cry
a system's song

the key
is to know
if the tune
is one of heartaches
or of gladness

price movements in economic terms
is called inflation and deflation
price increases and decreases, respectively

here's the thing
most modern day economists
both the armchair type and the central bank type
"kill" to manage this one variable

for one, prices is the one variable
almost everyone understand
from the citizens in guarded villages
to the posh condominium
to the middle class citizens in Bukid and in Tondo
to the person leaving under the bridges

if food price goes up
one need more money
in order to eat

and for a country whose most of its citizens
is along, if not below the poverty line
this logic is not only moot and academic
it's strong and very real
period

the reason for this "killing"
i think
is that the economic dance is not
moot and academic

there are many unknown variables
that can affect the whole system
and make it behave violently for everyone
and this many unknown variable lies within
the heart and minds of people called - expectations

expectations that are
intertwined
in freedom to choose
... to respond to
........................ fear
........................ hope

expectations that will be triggered in expected
but it could also be unknown and creative ways
if the Dance of Price moves
from a smooth waltz to techno beats
in an instant...

for prices is the one macroeconomic variable
that's is very close to the masses'
hearts and stomach = )

and no one wants to spook the masses
the hungry masses
for it may behave in creative ways...

that's why monetary policymakers
kill to manage this number
this indicator
this signal

i just hope they understand
that managing inflation
is just a means to an end
and not the end itself = )

but you know what -
the Philippines is an exhibit
that showcases the many variables that affect
a country's economy

I wonder when will the inspired and impassioned
economic researchers write about us?

can they understand what's happening
that they can write about it
more so - teach it,
thus making the Philippine economy evolve
to something else...
something better...

better in a sense that
we can all agree
and do something about our lot in life

"Everything he does is magic..."
Sting