Prices indeed have been rising

In my mailbox today was some bad news. My Social Security benefit for 2011 is remaining the same as it has for the past two years — no increase again! For the third year in a row. The Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index has supposedly not risen since the last cost-of-living adjustment was determined in 2008.

Not risen? Hah! Since 2008, food costs are way up, gas prices are ridiculous, my Social Security supplemental insurance has gone up each year for the past two years, as has my Medicare Part D premiums, the price of stamps has risen, my condo monthly assessment has risen mainly because utility bills have increased, my condo insurance has gone up, I can't afford to visit relatives who live out of Illinois because airline, bus and train fares have risen, we avoid restaurants because they've become too expensive due to the rise in their food costs, services like hairdressers and barbers are more expensive than they were in 2008, tickets for entertainment such as movies and plays have skyrocketed, and even the food for my cat costs more than it did in 2008. Yet my government tells me that the cost of living has not increased.

What are the criteria used to determine the Consumer Price Index? It seems to me that necessities like food, shelter, and transportation are left out of the equation. Company CEOs, bank presidents, public servants, etc. — the ones who make a lot of money to start with — all get raises. Yet, those of us on Social Security don't. Why? I sure would like an explanation.

Judith A. Carlson

Des Plaines

Des Plaines