Because health care is such a very large part (around 20% — the above chart only goes to 2007) of our economy, it is impossible to talk about one without the other. How much better would the economy be doing if the average family wasn’t spending so much of their paycheck on healthcare? As Allan said, Obama came in with a huge amount of capital, which is why I think he’s admirably yet mistakenly focused on larger, generational, long term issues (healthcare, debt, deficit) rather than focusing on the short-term needs (stimulus, jobs, installing Sharia Law).

Do you blame him though? If you came in on such a wave of change, would you really want to focus on fixing potholes and reinforcing bridges? Boooooorrrriiiing.