Browning also could have mentioned the recession in Europe, with record-high unemployment, that could still drag down American economic performance more than it has so far.

FORBES: VW CEO Browning Stays Sober In Economic-Expectations Game

And then, after the housing bust and high-tech job losses, it became a major drag on growth.

FORBES: Bargain Prices For Costco's Goods But Not Its Shares

Another drag on earnings: traffic on the high-speed airport-to-downtown railway has been below expectations, due to the squeeze on travel during the Asian Crisis.

CNN: Hong Kong Packs the Train

Taxes are already too high - and Labour's plans for even more taxes will act as a drag anchor on recovery.

BBC: In full: Cameron's economy speech

Emek Refaim, the main drag of the German Colony neighbourhood in southern Jerusalem, is lined with new restaurants and high-end boutiques.

BBC: Hip Jerusalem and historic Tel Aviv

An aircraft-leasing unit that was valuable to AIG when it had a high credit rating but has been a drag ever since will be offloaded, too.

ECONOMIST: Prudential buys AIA: Grand Pru | The

In our mortgage business, while charge-offs and delinquencies have improved, credit costs still remain at abnormally high levels and continue to be a significant drag on our returns.

FORBES: J.P. Morgan Beats Earnings Expectations with Smaller Bet on Loan Defaults

And the reason -- (laughter) -- the reason that I think it is so important is that the high costs of health care are a huge drag on our economy.

WHITEHOUSE: Online Town Hall