Anyone wondering why the Republicans are facing historic losses in this week’s midterm elections should consider these two numbers: 3.7 percent and 0.6 percent. The first is the latest one-year increase in prices from the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The second is how much wages and salaries for private industry workers are reported to have …Anyone wondering why the Republicans are facing historic losses in this week’s midterm elections should consider these two numbers: 3.7 percent and 0.6 percent. The first is the latest one-year increase in prices from the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The second is how much wages and salaries for private industry workers are reported to have …