Hold the truth for five years, eh? So the FED (government) holds their actual assessment and puts out spin (lies).
Can we say Pravda? The Ministry of Truth? Either/both fits.
And I agree w/ you, sir. The 1.74% is probably optimistic as well.
There may have been a time when governments didn’t lie to We the People, but since they are self-serving organisms, intent only on survival, government (at all levels, BTW) will lie, cheat and steal to survive.
We the People are very limited in what we can do change their behavior, as you well know.
I once asked former Congressman Ron Paul “What is it about good people who come to Washington, DC to do the work of the people, and two weeks after they are sworn in, are doing the work of the government?”
His response: “You have just convened a seminar!” And he proceeded to tell me.
The short answer is that it is assumed by the “leaders” of both parties that the primary interest of every Congressman and Senator is to get re-elected, so the “newbies” are promised all sorts of “help.”
But, there is a condition: “Do what we tell you to do, and vote the way we tell you to vote!”
IOW, “Play ball with us or we’ll stick the bat up where the sun don’t shine!”
So, there you have it.
Until we are smart enough to elect Representatives and Senators who cannot be bought, we will continue to suffer the slings and arrows of an arrogant, lying government!