The U.S. economy has averaged about 2.5% growth for four and a half years in what is supposedly a recovery, median household income is below where it was when the recession ended in June 2009, and job growth is mediocre. But the political class seems intent on fighting over the blame rather than trying to escape the malaise.
The latest evidence is John Boehner's punt on immigration reform. Only days ago the House Speaker floated a set of reform principles that opened the door to a potential compromise with Democrats and the Senate. But the response from the anti-reform right was so intense that he emerged at the Capitol on Thursday to more or less declare that nothing will happen on immigration this year.
"This is an important issue in our country. It's been kicked around forever, and it needs to be dealt with," Mr. Boehner said. But he added that "there's widespread doubt about whether this Administration can be trusted to enforce our laws. It's going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes."