Pardon the OT post, but I do need to point out that the following information, recently posted to the list, is nonsense:
And the CPI understates real inflation massively, since everytime an item in the CPI basket inflates dramatically, that item is removed from the basket in order to pacify politicians trying to get reelected on good economic numbers. So: if the CPI actually reflected actual inflation we might fing that the DeRo was actually UNDERpriced based on real inflation. What a world!
I've privately asked the gentleman who posted this to substantiate his claims, but he has repeatedly side-stepped my requests. So, for the record, the CPI market basket is not revised at anyone's political whim. You can all rest assured that your C.O.L.A.'s won't be supersized, (unfortunately).
Please provide any responses off list. Also, please note that this is not really a matter for debate. There is no "every time" there is no "pacification of politicians." If you want to discuss how Congress indirectly controls federal agencies by controlling their funding, that may be relevant, but I'm certainly not qualified to have that discussion.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA
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