>Hi John,
>
>Yea, and your government (and mine) claims that the inflation rate is near zero, even though most everything I buy costs more and more each time I buy it!
>I read not too long ago that cars had increased by over 40% since 1991, for instance.

As one on the inside of inflation calculation, I can tell you we have a lot of pressure by non-statistical agencies (Congress, largely) to keep the rate down, by incorporating other hard-to-define measurements such as quality improvements (computers are a good example) and substitution purchasing. Low inflation is very good for political incumbents, although your pocketbook (and mine) often tell us otherwise :)