"Core" inflation as measured by the government does not include food or energy?

That's absurd!

I've just got to quit reading these damn financial blogs. I had no idea we were this far off the road.

I think I'll just concentrate on my own -- anecdotal -- observations for awhile.

Looked out the window while talking to a customer and commented, "There are 8 empty parking spots in front of my store! I haven't seen that in years." A minute later, there were 12 empty parking spots on my block.

It seems like I should be able to develop some measure of economic health that compares job applications, cold calls, people trying to sell me product, and empty parking spots.

Seems about as accurate as government statistics.