You are so correct. The economy ebbs and flows directly in regards to who is in control of the House and Senate. The President becomes important only to the degree that he/she allows the economy to grow and does not insist on policies that will derail it.
The president signs the check but congress holds the checkbook.
Remind people that after 6 yrs of Bush having a GOP congress that unemployment was at 4.4% in Nov 06’ , and some people look at you like you just arrived on earth....
http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/03/news/economy/jobs_october/index.htm