Um, John, I never said that the economy was in a parlous state.I merely said that over the past few months the administration and congress have handled the nation’s finances in a cackhanded way. They have. Since you raise the subject, however, I’d certainly agree that the economy has done well over the last few years (even if the unemployment figure you cite does not really reflect the number out of work) with the caveat that there are some longer-term structural problems piling up (notably those relating to consumer indebtedness) which mean that it would be prudent to keep the champagne on ice for now.

Jonah – the derivation of cack-handed is very nasty indeed, and entirely appropriate.