But there's also the way GDP, inflation, and stock market indices are used. I mean, as long as we have 3% GDP growth and the stock market is up, there's nothing to worry. And somehow the national statistics manage to keep inflation roughly on target despite double-digit growth rates in energy and real state prices.  

tens of millions of people stand to see their lives ruined because the bureaucrats at the ECB don't understand introductory economics -- Dean Baker