Gas is cheaper than it was in the summer of 2008 right before the crash
And it's also significantly more expensive than it was a year ago. Energy doesn't just mean gasoline though, it also includes say, the price of heating your home, which never seems to go down.
But as long as you're consistent with the same standard across time periods
They aren't. They change the formulas almost every year. And, SHOCKING, the changes always cause the reported numbers to be less than they were previously.
If you're really curious, spend some time here.
http://www.shadowstats.com/
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