[lostdog]

I've heard the "it's a conspiracy to raise prices!!" point of view too. It's a very simplistic way to think about the inflation, and I wish there were a little more critical thinking around it.

However, some of the inflation is being caused by companies just being comfortable raising their prices. They are comfortable because so many companies are monopolies, and as soon as there's any slight pressure in the direction of inflation, they immediately pass it onto their customers without any punishment. The anger against companies for gouging consumers is placed correctly, but of course it's with the wrong explanations.