The official inflation calculation does nothing for retired folks on fixed incomes and whose expenses for food and energy are not included in what constitutes inflation; while zero interest rates are a tax on the elderly. Meanwhile, most actively employed workers can expect some sort of raise in wages each year.
On the other hand, Social Security recipients are being funded by the payroll taxes of currently employed folks, and they’ll likely get higher payroll taxes placed on them if we are to keep paying the “baby boomers” benefits.
Everywhere you look the government is robbing Peter to pay Paul. Imagine if we just did none of it.
There was a time, I read, where 43% of everything the government spent was borried. I don't know what that number is today but it must still be high.