I agree with you, OhOh.
On other threads I've repeatedly stated that the Great Recession never ended and that the 'Recovery' was a mainstream narrative lie.
As we know, the textbook definition of a "recession" is 2 consecutive quarters of negatvie GDP growth.
It's only a part of an economy with various multiples.
And the official line is that the Great Recession ended in 2009. Horsepucky.
I should rephrase: the US will have a GDP contraction for two consecutive quarters soon. Payroll taxes (from companies that hire people) are way down.
How this figures with that U3 (fake) unemployment rate of 5ish% is anyone guess. You are counted as employed if you literally work 1 hour a week and make a minimum of $20.
The Great Recession never ended.
And yes, the stock market is artificially inflated. Interest rates at basically 0% for 8-9 years.
Now the Fed is considering a NIRP policy (negative interest rates).
This obviously means all of the QE 1, 2, 3, etc has NOT worked.