> So that's my gut feel as well, but I don't have a good handle on the economic & market information as to why that might be so.

Welcome to Reality. The mainstream media is just misleading / propagandizing you - if you want the truth, you'll have to turn to "alternative" sources.

> Can you expand?

Peter can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Rpf...

Here's another good source: http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/