Obama Lacks Tools to Fix U.S. Economy: Opinion

Stocks are tumbling as investors realize President Obama is simply not offering policies that will fix the U.S. and global economies.

Each week, more than 450,000 Americans apply for new unemployment benefits, and 17% of adults can't find a full-time job or have quit looking for work altogether.

Since Massachusetts voters sent Democrats a vote of no confidence, Obama has been doubling down on bigger government and class warfare as the road to prosperity.

Meanwhile, the two biggest problems that block economic recovery go unaddressed -- most businesses lack enough customers and access to bank credit to create jobs.

Just about everyone recognizes consumer spending won't come roaring back. Those few businesses that can increase sales often can't borrow from banks to expand.

Not surprisingly, the 5.7% growth in gross domestic product recorded in the fourth quarter was mostly an accounting adjustment, reflecting a slower pace of inventory depletion.

Domestic consumption and investment contributed a tepid 1.8% to growth, and that pace is simply not enough to sustain a recovery.

The government is all tapped out. Deficits, if pushed any higher, could cause an international run on the dollar and a financial calamity even Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's printing press couldn't fix. Not surprisingly, the government added zero to fourth-quarter growth.

Salvation must come from bringing down the $440 billion trade deficit, and, in particular, the huge trade imbalance with China. Cutting that deficit in half would boost GDP by 3%, resurrect manufacturing and high wage jobs, and it's then off to the races -- healthy growth rivaling the Clinton years.