6 ms·
At least in the US, the government publishes overall inflation, inflation less food and energy, and inflation for each major category. "This item looks differe
by UncleMeat 3y ago
At least in the US, the government publishes overall inflation, inflation less food and energy, and inflation for each major category.
"This item looks different to me", "this category looks different to me", and "this basket looks different to me" are real feelings, but the government isn't straight up lying about inflation measurements.
- ptero 3y ago> the government isn't straight up lying about inflation measurements Agreed. The government publishes the methodology and the source data the final numbers are based on are generally publicly available. However, the methodology slowly changes with time. And whatever the rationale is (there is always one that sounds good) its effect is always lowering computed inflation numbers. And lower inflation numbers give government ability to keep printing and spending money -- a dream for most officials. So while I do not think the government is straight up lying, it is slowly twisting the methodology due to seriously misaligned incentives. My 2c.