Manufacturing has rebounded in the United States, President Barack Obama assured us earlier this year.

Not really.

Manufacturing barely expanded last month, in a sign that sector of the economy is far from as healthy as the president claims. During January, orders for new goods fell 13.2 points in comparison to the previous month.

And as Obama was well aware, the economy as a whole is slowing down.

The nation’s gross domestic product grew just 1.9 percent last year, compared to 2.8 percent – still nothing about which to brag – for 2012.

Obama has been in office more than five years. No longer can he blame the weak economy on his predecessor.

If he wants real improvement, he and some members of Congress need to get out of the private sector’s way.