However, at least there is a change now, and that brings the chance of a period of economic expansion fueled by new optimism.

FORBES: When Bad News Is Good News

Similarly, risk concentrations that might be acceptable at a single institution in a period of economic expansion could be dangerous if they existed at a large number of institutions simultaneously.

FORBES: Transcript

To understand just how big these numbers are, consider that the last period of economic expansion in America produced profits averaging 8 percent of the economy, significantly below their current percentage of GDP.

FORBES: 3rd Quarter Corporate Profits Reach Record High-Worker Pay Hits Record Low:So How Exactly Is Obama The 'Anti-Business' President?

What might be called the objective facts of the election still favour Al Gore: the long period of economic expansion and the voters' belief that the most important matters in the election are education, Social Security and health care, Democratic issues all.

ECONOMIST: The selling of a candidate

Mr Latham was attempting to oust Mr Howard at a time when Australia had entered its 13th consecutive year of economic growth, the longest sustained period of expansion in its history.

ECONOMIST: Australia

Lastly, period 3 is again one of economic expansion, occurring from June, 2009 to March, 2011.

FORBES: Connect

The only -- at the marginal rate level, at the income tax level, the only rates that the President has sought to return to the levels of the Clinton administration, which, by the way, was a period of the longest sustained expansion -- economic expansion in postwar American history, where 23 million jobs were created, and where rich people did very well, indeed, which is a good thing, those rates prevailed.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing