According to Charles Hugh Smith, at his blog Of Two Minds, there are two economies in play. Interesting article.

Our “Let’s Pretend” Economy 
(April 21, 2011) 

There are two economies–the real one, which is in decline, and the “let’s pretend” one touted by the State and corporate propaganda machines.

Children love to play “let’s pretend.” Let’s pretend the economy is “recovering.”Why does this “recovery” remind me of an addict who’s conning his caseworker? (Yes, I’m really in recovery–those aren’t tracks, they’re insect bites….)

Let’s play pretend that jobs are really really coming back, so please ignore this chart, or turn it upside down:

Also ignore that Big U.S. Firms Are Shifting Hiring Abroad.

The rubbah slippah folks understand that something is not right. But here in Hawai‘i, there is a way out of this. Move to geothermal now! No fool around!