1.   Although contained, the economic drag from the recessions in much of the rest of the world would still force the Fed to lower interest rates further.

2.   But, she wonders, is it realistic to think in terms of ever achieving a society without the economic drag and souring promise of Social Security?

3.   Much of the economic drag, meanwhile, has resulted from consumers being badly used in an export-driven economy.

4.   Stocks have been hurt as the economic drag from Asia reduces the corporate earnings that investors watch so closely.

5.   The sharp drop in interest rates has helped offset the economic drag from the financial turmoil in Asia, Russia and Latin America.

6.   There is no Cold War or accompanying economic drag of four decades of military competition with the Soviet Union.