Data indicates that DOL rigged claims of recent job growth.. 72

Okay, maybe a better illustration of the point I was trying to illustrate is this: In 2000, item X cost $100, and item Y cost $50. One fourth of the population bought one of each, while one fourth had an X only, one fourth had a Y only, and one fourth bought neither.

By 2005, the market had shifted so that most sales (50% of the population) were of item XY, which combined the functions of both, for a price of $225. Item X and Y were still available as stand-alones, but at prices of $200 and $150, and attracted only 15% of the population each (including 5% who chose to buy both individual items). Do you think that inflation of these items had the same effect on families who had X, Y, or both in 2000, whether they had the combined unit, single unit or two individual units in 2005?

If you are a believer in a single number, maybe you can tell us what is the single "right" inflation number for this incredibly oversimplified example?

LOL! You think salaries are going down? I'm afraid you are going to have to find some a.c.c-caliber economists or data analysts to get a -- Alex -- Replace "nospam" with "mail" to reply by email. Checked infrequently.