Hi Bruce,

Glad, especially with your inside knowledge, that you commented.

I have been suspecting exactly this. But I have always wondered just why it is that the factors involved in the calculations are not widely disseminated and discussed especially by the media. Sure looks like one of those "taboo" subjects, despite protestations that there is no such thing in our free speech world.

I really don't know what *real* good it does for the people. Keeps us quiet, I guess.

Cheers,

Jim N

>>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 :)