Re your :
“I’m sure if a good portion of the gov were cut away and it’s budget cut severely then that would help immensely with the cost of living problems!”
Comment: That would lower taxes and gov’t services. Your statement means everybody has to come down to a lower level. I think the opposite. We have to be more profitable, so we can pay more taxes (businesses and employees) and get more services. Like better roads etc.
But with funny money involved, wages have to go up like taxes, gasoline and food etc. Lets face it. Businesses have to pay what the rent costs, the utilities, interest rates etc etc. But to this date, they still DON’T have to pay a livable wage, so they don’t, unless its a strong union.
From 1800 to 1913, even a little later, there was no inflation under a gold standard. No raises needed.