If "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric makes statements about someone's downbeat economic reporting - you know it's blatantly gloomy.

CBS News Business Correspondent Anthony Mason, who rarely finds a positive thing to say about the U.S. economy, gave another negative report during the January 30 "CBS Evening News," [1] after the Federal Reserve decided to cut 50 basis points off its Fed funds rate. This time Couric compared Mason to "the grim reaper."

"Anthony, you're starting to sound like the grim the use of non-traditional economic indicators to gauge the economy [2] - this time, flower sales.

"Bing Goei runs seven florist shops with 100 employees," Mason said. "So far he hasn't had to lay off any workers, but he says the Feds rate cuts won't sell more flowers."