While the economy continues to show broad signs of improvement - including an increase in levels of credit available to consumers - the final data rolling in from 2011 shows a very obvious blip in the upward trend.



To professional observers the reason behind the blip is clear: the debt limit fight caused by Republicans shook the confidence that investors had in the ability of the U.S. government to handle its responsibilities.

For a longer term look at the trends, check out the charts from TPM.