"The only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in Congress to put country ahead of party. That's the problem right now. That's what's holding this country back," said a vacationing Obama, relaxing in a palatial house, hobnobbing with celebrity and socialite alike.

The bills in question:

In remarks recorded on Wednesday on his campaign-style bus tour in Illinois and aired during his holiday in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Obama said the stalled construction, trade and payroll tax bills could give a boost to the economy.

More shovel ready projects? He admits himself they didn't work the first time. As for the free trade agreements, those could very well create jobs - about 5 years from now. The extension of the 2% payroll tax cut is a good idea and will probably go through, but it's like using a squirt gun to put out a 3-alarm fire. Too little, too late, too stupid to understand what needs to be done.

What about a regulatory holiday where no federal regulations are finalized for 6 months? How about delaying EPA regs that will close dozens of coal-fired power plants thus making energy consumption by factories so expensive that hiring decisions are being put on hold? How about abandoning the futile attempts to prop up the housing market and let the market find its own bottom. No recovery is possible until it does.

How about getting government out of the way and allowing the economy to thrive?

There are plenty of things the president could be doing to get the economy off the schneid and back to creating jobs. But to do them would invalidate his entire philosophy of government so there is zero chance anything will happen.

Meanwhile, Obama will keep blaming others until the American people tire of his avoiding responsibility and turn him out in 2012.