What Consumer Price Index?

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To the editor:

The Consumer Price Index is calculated by having employees of the federal government price a basket of items consumers purchase throughout the country.  

My father owned a children’s store, and once a month one of these employees would stick their head in the door and yell out “How much are a dozen diapers?” 

They did not ask if they are heavier or lighter, larger or small or inquire into the fabric content.

So today a pint of ice cream is 14 ounces, a six-ounce can of tuna is five ounces, a 32-ounce jar of mayonnaise is 30 ounces and so on.

It is no wonder that there is a significant disconnect between the Consumer Price Index and the total on your cash register receipt at the supermarket.

Furthermore, with most retailers consistently offering discounts on consumer products other than food, it is impossible to even come close to calculating the index, which of course is our gauge of inflation.

Howard Ring

Consumer Price Index, Howard Ring

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