INFLATION: Deceit behind 'zero' figure

For two years the federal government has insisted that there is "0" inflation in the U.S. economy, all the while cognizant that the insidious effect of "weight-out" (the deceitful practice of food packagers removing content from their products) has in fact resulted in a 7 to 8 percent annual increase in Americans' grocery bills. A 16-ounce box of cereal now weighs 9 to 11 ounces; a 64-ounce carton of orange juice (2 months ago) now contains 59 ounces of juice; a jar of mayonnaise is now 28-30 ounces - down from 32 ounces; and, of course, the traditional half-gallon of ice cream (64 fluid ounces) has been reduced to 44 to 46 ounces.

This government-condoned corporate greed can be seen across the full spectrum of consumer goods. Congress, with its 80 percent disapproval rating, cannot be counted upon to tell the American people of this despicable practice.

ROBERT BOYNTON

Rathdrum