Inflation rose only a little last year

By Carleton Bryant The Washington Times - January 16, 2009, 10:21AM

A new government report says that consumers prices last year rose at the slowest rate since 1954, The Wall Street Journal is reporting.

The Consumer Price Index rose by 0.1% for the year, missing the Federal Reserve’s preference of 1.5%. A 75% drop in oil prices and slower spending caused the downturn in the inflation rate, after the CPI had hit 17-year highs earlier in the year.

SEE RELATED:

So let me get this straight: Inflation last year was the lowest it has been since the ‘50s? I feel like I’m in reality warp. I remember paying $4-plus for a gallon of gas and $5 for a gallon of milk last year. And it felt like it was a good portion of the year.

Now the government tells me that inflation only increased a little last year. Well, I guess the government knows what it’s doing, right?

About the Author

Carleton Bryant

Carleton Bryant is the assistant managing editor for strategic planning and development/special projects for The Washington Times. He previously served as The Times’ Metropolitan desk editor, Features desk editor and an assistant National desk editor, as well as a National and Metropolitan reporter. He currently writes a humor blog and weekly humor column — both titled “Out of Context” — ...