How can the US be in a recovery?

How can high unemployment, higher interest rates, higher commodities and tightening credit be healthy for an already beaten down consumer? I think the average person has lost more wealth in this recession than in the past. That is what is different. I don't think you can expect as fast a recovery as in the past. The move up in the markets is driven by government money being pumped into the system and global demand (ex US) for commodities to kill the $$$. The average person doesn't have the money to put in the market. People are just trying to survive the higher costs associated with day to day living and uncertainty for the future.

This problem is a lot deeper than I care to write about. Please share your thoughts.

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