How high is US inflation? According to Statista.com, month-to-month inflation was 7 percent in December 2021. Ouch! That was up from 6.8% in November, 6.2% in October, and around 5% in the summer. About a year ago, month-to-month inflation was officially 1.4%. 

In many cases  inflation makes sense; COVID-related producti​on shortages and delivery delays have skewed the usual supply/demand ratio. But are some businesses taking advantage of us? Absolutely. Fortune reports that corporations are boasting about increased profits during the pandemic. Also see the NPR report at https://www.npr.org/2022/01/12/1072295047/inflation-is-still-surging-and-some-democrats-see-one-culprit-greedy-companies​. 

Local examples: Near Fukiu headquarters in California a 7-11 is selling Crystal Geyser water for $3.49/gallon... and an Extra Space Storage raised month-to-month rent by 33% just in time for Christmas 2021. It seems that both examples qualify as price gouging, no?  

In most US states, laws explicitly prohibit price gouging. When a company acts illegally, the Department of Fukiu recommends that you 1) notify your county's district attorney and 2) contact your state's attorney general.  Both offices may have online forms for speedy reporting.

Haiku inspired by someecards.com

Why would anyone use an automated leaf blower?  Could they not sweep or rake instead? Could they not just let leaves be? 

Automated leaf blowers create air pollution and noise pollution. In 2011 it was found that over 30 minutes, a leaf blower emits more pollution than a Ford pickup truck driving all the way from Texas to Alaska! And with noise ratings of 85 decibels and up, leaf blowers can cause permanent hearing loss. 

Ironically, leaf blowers were first accepted in the 1970s as environmentally-friendly alternatives to using WATER to move leaves. But we ask again: Could you not sweep or rake instead? Or let leaves stay where they fall?  

Leaf blowers wake babies. They frighten pets. They disturb phone calls made for business and pleasure. And they can be illegal!

Leaf blowers are becoming illegal in more and more places. Parts of California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts,  and other American states have already banned them. So if you're concerned about hearing damage or otherwise motivated to ban leaf blowers in your neighborhood, give it a try! Plenty of petitions have paved the way.

​Best,
​Department of Fukiu