It's the economy, stupid.

A new UNH Survey Center poll of New Hampshire residents finds that the economy is the number one issue, followed by concerns about the deficit. It also shows Romney the favorite for the GOP presidential nomination (at this early stage, though, most voters have not really started to pay attention and know little or nothing about the other candidates).

Tom Friedman has also hit on the thing that is holding the economy down...uncertainty. Until investors and business leaders have a clearer picture on what budgetary and regulatory decisions are coming down the pike from Washington they are not going to make any big decisions about investing their money.

Andrew C. McCarthy responds to those who argue against his call for an end to the Medicare program. McCarthy is right when he says that Medicare is unsustainable, but his critics are right to say that a politician who calls for the end of the program is one who will likely not get elected. Alas, too many Americans believe it is OK to use government coercion to take other people's money for their own uses.