>$1 in 2008 is worth $1.56 today

That's an odd way of phrasing it, since the $1 is still worth $1, and a naive reading would make you think it's "worth more" when the buying power has actually reduced.

Wouldn't it be clearer to say $1 today only buys you 64% of what you could have bought in 2008.

Tbh both ways of phrasing are fine to me. $1.56 today will get you as much as $1 in 2008, looking at it simplistically.