This is the best overview I have read as to what the real picture is on our current economic environment:

What U.S. Economic Recovery? Five Destructive Myths http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2076568,00.html "There may be $2 trillion sitting on the balance sheets of American corporations globally, but firms show no signs of wanting to spend it in order to hire workers at home, however much Washington might hope they will. Meanwhile, the average American is feeling poorer by the week." Until this get's fixed, nothing will really improve since the chicken won't lay the egg and the egg won't hatch the chicken. My plea is that both Business Leaders and Washington come together and show some leadership - who is the adult in the room? Please carry this message and tell whoever will listen.