And economists from across the political spectrum warned that if dramatic action was not taken to break the back of the recession, the United States could spiral into another depression.

WHITEHOUSE: The Recovery Act �C Year One

Spain, by comparison to Germany, has only a two-week winter break, as does Italy, while England sits at the opposite end of the spectrum: Between the Premier League and the FA Cup, the holiday season is extremely congested, making it a traditional make-or-break-point for many campaigns.

WSJ: The Secret of Germany's Success