The Grand Manipulation is a new and dangerous trend. The manipulation of free economic markets worldwide is not a repeat of the past. The ability or, rather, the audacity of the US and other governments to manipulate the major financial markets is new. Governments and economists take their hats off to free markets. Yet, the markets are rigged, not free.
Normally, an economic recovery produces rising consumer spending, rising profits, and more investment. But what we are experiencing is flat and declining consumer spending as jobs are offshored and retail stores close. Profits result from labor cost savings due to employee layoffs.
This situation maintains the status quo by catering to the wealthy and powerful, but if only the rich are spending, then the economy never truly rebounds.