But You Still Can’t Get Decent Help, Dahling

The cost of living high is rising, but not as fast as the cost of merely living.

The government’s marketbasket of essential items, used in forming the consumer price index, went up 3.1% in 1991.

But Moet Champagne’s marketbasket of goodies for the rich went up just 1.8%. And some items actually fell.

The price of Beluga caviar declined 15%, for example. And women’s fur coats were 7% lower than in 1990.

Limousine rentals, Broadway tickets, imported chocolate truffles, Rolex watches, a Rolls-Royce convertible and a visit to an upscale beauty salon cost about the same as they did the previous year.