Jim, like it or not, if you have an economic discussion, you are going to have a political discussion. They are intertwined. Can't, IMO, go on very long on either without dragging the other in.

FWIW, I think your analysis of bean prices is pretty close. Goods will be priced in whatever currency is local, the exchange rate will make a difference.

Wasn't very long ago I remember reading articles lamenting what a bad thing the strong dollar was.

I think inertia is the main thing keeping us from crazy inflation numbers. That, and the numbers are fudged by the reporting system for political purposes.