Even if Mr Obama managed to break through the classic Washington gridlock and impose an IMF-style fiscal regime on the US economy, it would take many years to get back on to an even footing.

• 即便奥巴马成功打破典型的华盛顿僵局，并把一种IMF风格的财政机制强加给美国经济，也需要多年时间才能重新回到同等的地位。