Yes, Virginia, there certainly is inflation

I must be living in a parallel alternate universe. Social Security officials refused to grant a cost-of-living increase for the second straight year, saying there was no inflation to worry about.

For those of us living on fixed incomes, there is plenty to worry about. Food costs are up 10 to 15 percent in Cedar Rapids. Electric rates have climbed by 9 percent. City utilities will be going up 4 percent this year.

Property taxes for homeowners will increase 8 percent. Gas prices are up 40 percent and climbing. Prices for concerts and theater productions have become luxury items.

Then there is hidden inflation when corporations mask price increases by offering smaller products or smaller containers. What? We're not supposed to notice?

There is also the regressive extra penny sales tax that the mayor wants to extend until after my death. Although as a homeowner I don't mind helping pay for city flood recovery, shouldering the property tax burden for local businesses is a bit much to ask.

The irony is, that with all this “non-existent inflation,” I no longer have any discretionary spending money to purchase goods and services offered by local businesses. Recovery? Ha!

William Ray

Cedar Rapids