Happy Thanksgiving, Hive! Here in the States, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, with historical and mythical allusions to early colonial history playing a role in decoration and celebration.
I've decided that, while I am thankful for HIVE and the work of our witnesses, it is time for me to seriously consider the HBD interest rate choices they have made in my voting. Check out this post from 
To move toward getting inflation under control, I have pulled votes from several witnesses I do generally value and respect because their interest rate votes are set to over 15%. If those rates are dropped to 10% or less, my votes will be reallocated again, but for now, I am willing to gamble on relative unknowns solely because their rates are more responsible. High inflation buys votes here just like it does in national politics, but the catastrophic consequences are bad for both in the long run as well.
Some inflation is hard-coded into Hive to manage post rewards, but the Hive Backed Dollar (HBD) inflation and rampant outflow of funds through the Decentralized Hive Fund (DHF) where they are helping flood the crypto exchange market. Sales of HBD earnings and DHF funds are doubtless playing a role in poor performance of our token.
Stewardship is complicated. We need to send a signal somehow. If we want to keep HIVE as something to be thankful about in the long term, it's time to make some hard choices. A slow drop in HBD rates from 15% toward 10% should avoid a shock in the economy, and show whether there's a wider effect. Ideally, I'd like to see it halved to the 6-8% range to stay in balance with (or slightly ahead of) real inflation in the United States Dollar.
I'm open to being proven wrong, but the status quo is untenable, and I think this is our best course of action. As one of Hive's newest Orcas, I can perhaps help make a difference. If you don't want to bother with witness votes, and agree with these specific concerns, you're welcome to select me as your proxy.
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If you're not on Hive yet, I invite you to join through InLeo or PeakD. If you use either of my referral links, I'll even try to delegate some Hive Power to help you get started.