A Matter of Perspective

Supporters of the president are circulating a chart around the Internet that makes it appear his plans are turning around the economy. 

The president's plans are not doing that, but the chart below that's being used makes it look like the so-called economic recovery began at the same time as President Obama's inauguration in January 2009.

Here’s another way of presenting the exact same data.

Whether the reader looks at the number and sees an inflection point or four years of economic stagnation depends on presentation. Overall, there is no denying that the recession was severe and prolonged, and the country has yet to fully recover.

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