Oil prices are not always a sign of a good economy. See also 2008-2009, when oil crashed hard.

I’m not speaking about dollar debasement at all. I’m hoping for a strong dollar and a tepid economy. Best of both worlds for investment.

Also, let’s face it: if the average American was doing so well, there wouldn’t be the large-scale hatred of Obama and support for demagogues that there is today.

Someone did a survey, and something like 50% of Americans didn’t have the cash to cover even a $1000 unexpected expense. Those that did have the money just took a 13% bris without anasthesia on their savings if they were in the stock market.

Also, the last auto sales record was in y2k, which was also the year of the NASDAQ peak and just before the 2001-2 ‘cession.