The new 'misery index'

Hi, All.

When seen from the criteria of Reagan's "misery index," unemployment and inflation, Bush's performance might not seem so bad. Kerry's new them argues that the old criteria are misleading, as certain key areas (notably college tuition and health care) are rising at rates several times the nominal inflation rate, while wages, often pegged to inflation, are rising little if at all, leaving middle-class and working-class families increasingly squeezed.
For details, see 'misery index' shows working families hammered by rising costs.

-- Dave K, Speakeasy Moderator
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The opinions expressed above are my own,
and do not necessarily reflect those of CNET!

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Does the old standard need re-evaluation and possible change? maybe. Is this new one better? from what I've seen and heard discussed on tv news today that's unlikely.

Kerry picks on tuition, gas, and health care, which I believe are probably the highest increase of all consumer costs. While these are important, and perhaps need special consideration, picking three out of all out of pocket expenses instead of the Consumer Price Index makes you wonder if the criteria was importance or which create the best spin.

As in Del's link, other discussion I've heard incline me to believe they selectively chose which criteria to use to come up with a worse result than then so called classic criteria.

If the Republicans released a new index that make the current administration look better than the classic index that has been used for years, I'm sure there would be cries of foul. In fact, I'm sure there would be more cries of liar.

If the criteria needs to be changed, I doubt that you could get any realistic definition during an presidental election year, politics would overrule good sense.

RogerNC

click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

The new 'misery index'

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