So one of the things that we're trying to figure out is, are there are ways that we can unbundle and unpackage some of these goods and services that the government purchases.

WHITEHOUSE: Online Town Hall

The discrepancy is partly because China's retail-sales figures include some things they should not (such as government purchases and sales of chemicals and other wholesale goods), and miss out other things (like health care and other services), that are a big part of consumer spending.

ECONOMIST: At least one of China��s economic imbalances is narrowing

So we are investing in a variety of things to try to improve oversight of what the federal government buys, including cracking down on no-bid contracts, trying to bulk up on bulk purchases of goods and services, and also expanding the acquisition workforce so that we have better oversight of those contracts.

WHITEHOUSE: Detailing the FY2011 Budget