Barack Obama told CBS News, “I can put my record against any leader around the world in terms of digging ourselves out of a terrible, almost unprecedented financial crisis.” But the president then said Americans “don’t feel it … because incomes are wages are not going up,” which of course he blames on Republicans for acting as obstructionists by refusing to support a minimum wage hike and waging a war on women. True economic progress would be reflected in a healthy labor participation rate and in better take home pay for the middle class – neither of which are evident. The labor participation rate remains at an anemic 62.8%, and median household income since 2009 is down by nearly $2,000. Obama can certainly “put [his] record against any leader around the world” – if we’re talking about those leading their country further down the road to statism.