So why do most of us believe that inflation – the waning buying power of the money we're forced to use by the government - is what it says it is?

Here's what I know and so can attest to:

When I was a high school kid back in the '80s, I worked part-time at McDonald's. The minimum wage back them was $3.35, which meant that an eight hours shift put just shy of $27 in my pocket. Actually, less – because that's gross. Even high school kids earning minimum wage get FICA (Social Security) and other federal taxes "withheld" as the government likes to style seizing some of the money you've earned before you even get to hold it in your hand for a moment.