The big unknown remains fuel costs and the risk that high prices for petrol, let alone physical supply shortages, will hit consumer spending hard.

ECONOMIST: When government fails

Magazine and newspaper executives also stew that Amazon won't let them set subscription prices for their own publications.

WSJ: Publishers Nurture Rivals to Kindle

Efforts to cut drug prices, let alone tighten up the rules for asset-shedding by middle-class pensioners, will face howls of protest from powerful political groups.

ECONOMIST: Medicaid reform

The main threat to the housing market is that house prices remain over-valued, whether for first-time buyers, buy-to-let investors or owner-occupiers.

ECONOMIST: Housing market

Rather than let home prices fall, the U.S. government subsidizes home buyers so they can continue overpaying for houses they cannot actually afford.

FORBES: Japan Throws A Dime To American Debt Junkies