http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/graphics/LNU04000000_230711_1232257940481.gif
Notice the similarity in averages of the terms.
If you keep watching the media charging forth with their "economic woes" stories monthly, then of course you'll miss out on the annual statistics. I did not deny this slum of an economy, I simply pointed out your ignorance. You also failed to look at W's terms in context of the world economy. This is not strictly a U.S. problem. We're also in a war, and history shows dramatic downfall of economy during wartime; surprisingly, though, ours has not fallen as flat as previous wartimes. Clinton's economy thrived during the internet boom as well as being post-war, yet Bush's economy differs slightly, despite being in a world economic crisis as well as two wars.
I hope you can see what I'm trying to show you, that it does not seem that you take things past what you have read, watched or heard.