Long ago, even when we were talking about the Recovery Act just as legislation, we always said that it was never going to -- it was never the size and scope of the output removed from the economy because of the recession -- it was never going to totally fill that hole.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

That gives it plenty of scope to enjoy catch-up growth, unlike Japan's economy, which was still far smaller than America's when it reached the technological frontier.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus