Actually, I have been looking at the figures
The economy seems to be steaming along, housing market notwithstanding; however, there are doom sayers out there that are scaring people. The fear is holding people from buying so the holiday shopping season hasn't been as good as it has been which affects the stock markets which affects everything else. The MSNBC financial guy, Jim (I can never remember his last name) credits the Fed's actions and lack of, for much of the continuing economic problems.