US inflation numbers for the last 10 years:

2002 1.6
2003 2.3
2004 2.7
2005 3.4
2006 3.2
2007 2.8
2008 3.8
2009 -0.4
2010 1.6
2011 3.2

Just one of many factors to consider when/if we see proposed "raises" in a MEC passed TA.