"First of all, because business is pretty slack at the moment, and there is not much point going in and bashing your head against a brick wall, " explained CEBR chief executive Douglas McWilliams.

BBC: Roads and airports set for Christmas travel surge

The economy reversed from a 3.1% pace of growth in the third quarter largely because federal government spending fell by 15% and private business, likely fearing slack in demand, let inventories dwindle.

WSJ: U.S. Economy Contracts in Fourth Quarter

In this commodity business, there is no slack with which to absorb fuel cost increases.

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And perhaps more importantly, are they going to be part of this new effort to try to see how small business can be either exempted or given -- basically cut more slack for the new -- under this new regulatory regime?

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

And now the U.S. wants to get into the business of persuading countries to export their newly rich consumers to the U.S. to pick up the slack in demand left by empty-pocketed American consumers.

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