(Image source: The Christian Science Monitor)

BY: JIM FLINK

ANCHOR: BLAKE HANSON

You're watching business video news analysis from Newsy. 

Economic recovery?   What economic recovery?  That’s the broad media chorus -- after the latest numbers show -- negligible growth in the second quarter of 2011. The Economist blames Congress for the problems -- specifically -- the ongoing debt-crisis.

“... most observers were too optimistic in their assessment of the economy's strength. Even more distressing, a series of revisions ... left America in a bigger hole than imagined. Congress' behaviour looks incredibly reckless in light of new figures. ... while America needs to address its medium- and long-run fiscal challenges, immediate austerity would be a mistake." 

But on Fox Business, an analyst says, just the opposite. The economy is in crisis -- because of over-feeding it with artificial stimulants.  And austerity -- while painful in the short-term -- is just what the doctor ordered.

“I wanna see this problem ensue.  Because this is the only way to stop the beast from eating. We’ve reached the point where there’s one way to stop the U.S. government from spending.  And that is sadly by force." 

A handful of economists weigh in on the Wall Street Journal.  Economist Dan Greenhaus of Miller Tabak sees potential double trouble in today’s downward numbers.

“The U.S. is facing some major headwinds and challenges as it emerges from the worst recession in our lifetimes. Growth of this order is not only not enough to bring down the unemployment rate but would be coincident with an increase in unemployment." 

MSNBC talks with the business editor of the National Journal who says, if anything, Washington is creating a potential double dip of doubt, starting first -- with consumers -- constricting.

“There’s a measureable downtick in consumer spending and confidence.  Which is bad.  The second is going to be in hiring.  We have this mounting pile of debt which is the result of policy choices over a long period of time.  But this more immediate crisis is entirely lawmaker-created." 

The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein is less subtle about where he places the blame.  Saying -- it’s on everyone holding public office in Washington -- who sees the fire, has an extinguisher, and argues about how to use it.

“... we’re in an economic crisis in which the main problem is too little spending. So the choice we’re being presented with is that we can either worsen an existing crisis or trigger a fresh one. With our leaders acting so irresponsibly, perhaps it’s no mystery why we’re having a recovery-less recovery, either." 

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Transcript by Newsy.