While the Obama Administration insists that the economy is strong — a claim increasingly laughable in the face of 9% unemployment — the International Monetary Fund predicts weak economic growth for the United States in 2012.

The American economy is growing by just 2.50% in 2011. It is expected that next year’s growth rate will be just 2.75%.

In fact, the organization isn’t optimistic about the American economy through 2016. The IMF says the economy isn’t expected to reach 3% growth through 2016.

So, 2.50% in 2011 and not more than 3% five years later. Less than a half-percent increase in a half-decade. Absolutely devastating. And it bodes poorly for jobs and housing.