Overheard just now on NPR:
Worker productivity, considered the single most important factor determining living standards, grew at the fastest pace in nearly 6 years during the last quarter. At the same time, labor costs fell by the most in 9 years.
By itself, this is not surprising- Americans are working harder for less money. This has been a theme since the late 1970's, when the Republican Party launched its long war on the American middle class.
What was surprising was the next sentence, so brazen in its stupidity that it can scarcely be believed.
The government said increases in productivity can push up living standards as companies can boost wages with increased output.
Wait a minute. Back up.
Worker productivity, considered the single most important factor determining living standards, grew at the fastest pace in nearly 6 years during the last quarter.
The government said increases in productivity can push up living standards as companies can boost wages with increased output.
Labor costs (things like wages and benefits) and other fell by the most in 9 years.
Again, this time boiled down to the essentials-
Worker productivity... grew at the fastest pace... in 6 years... last quarter.
The government said increases in productivity can... boost wages.
Labor costs (things like wages and benefits)... fell.
So, can you see the problem with this? Re-arranged, these paragraphs can tell two very different stories.
In the NPR version, productivity is up, something called "labor costs" are down (whatever those are), and the Government says "Cheer up! Your wages will increase soon!"
In the real-world, looking-two-feet-past-your-own-ass-before-you-read-copy-on-the-air version, people are working harder for less money and the Government is lying about it to try and make everyone feel better.
Attention traditional media! This kind of thing is why people don't trust you anymore.