"Well, the economy shrinking 6.3% instead of expected 6.5% set off a mini-celebration! ....so the Dr. tells you that your lungs have collapsed 6.3%, but you were expecting him to say 6.5%, so you are somehow better?"

I have another analogy:

A homeowner puts his house on the market for $500,000. The house is on a hillside with a beautiful view of the valley below.

As luck would have it, abnormally heavy rains come and the house begins to slowly start sliding down the hill. He finds out from experts that in about 30 days his house will be at the bottom of the hill, 1000 feet below.

But the rains stop, and the house has slowed it slide rate. It won't be at the bottom until 90 days.

The owner is thrilled and raises his asking price on the house to $600,000. A potential buyer asked how come he raised his price. The owner says the slide down the hill was slower than expected.

Terry