Economy

As late as November, inflation was widely expected to reach 100% by year's end - but the price truce (and, frankly, sheer market forces) kept it to "just" 95%.

And wages, you might ask? They're rising at 82/83% - which if unchanged by December, will mean a 6 or 7% real wage slide.

This, after collapsing by 22% under Trump's pal Macri (2015-19), and only marking time under Fernández's first two years.

As you probably know, Argentines aren't new to any of this: prices have risen by an average 65% a year since democracy returned in 1983 - and 55% annually in the previous 39 years.

Real wages have fallen by about 25% since '83 - and yet, auto sales have more than doubled. This shows the widening gap between the haves and have-nots - as does the proliferation of gated communities since then.

Indeed - for those of us who remember Buenos Aires in the early '80s, I can tell you it was a lot more egalitarian.

But then, that's become something of a worldwide problem.

Thank you for your time and input, progree. Much appreciated.