Nobody wants to go back to the gold standard.

Inflation is useful (within limits). So is deficit spending in a growing economy.

> Inflation is really just a hidden tax

No it isn't. The idea that the government should fix the value of money -- and that if it does otherwise it is stealing out of your pockets -- is goldbug crank territory.

If inflation was a tax, then deflation would make people richer. It doesn't. Why? Because in a deflating economy, your creditors can't pay you back.

Deflation is very damaging, and avoiding it is more or less the number one goal of macroeconomic policy.