I don't think there is uncertainty. People are certain just how bad things are, and how much worse they will get. Record corporate profits don't mean much to the average person. Unless that money finds its way into the pockets of workers (instead of the rich who hoard it or investments in China), sales and profits will stall and the USA will go back into a recession.

Companies are hoarding cash for this very reason. What's next, they wonder. You don't have CEO's lambasting Obama for nothing. Now the thick-headed lefties in the administration are wising up to this pall and are first, defending their policies, and later will actually address their real concerns. After all, Obama can only spend money he doesn't have; he can't force businesses to hire more people.

"Uncertainty is everywhere: taxes, health care, jobs, stimulus, cut-backs,… How do you invest if you don’t know where you are going?"

Sorry, I don't believe it. You can make pretty good educated guesses at each of them if you follow the news carefully -- and if you miss low on one you will likely miss high on another.

The biggest unknown was four or so years ago when we were riding a huge bubble -- but that didn't stop investing.

"Warren Buffett says: "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."

Silverblatt is wrong. Americans in fact, do know, all too well, what's happening--they have no money to buy anything but the bare essentials! Companies don't invest because they're already able to produce more than consumers can afford to buy. Consumer spending makes-up 70% of American GDP and until consumer confidence returns, companies will have no incentive to invest in new capacity.

The underlying economy is causing uncertainty. We've never really been in quite this precise place and businesses are nervous about the nature, timing and if, there will be a recovery. I'm tired of articles and people saying that uncertainty about governmental policy is the key. If you don't know how many widgets you will sell next month, that is the kind of radical uncertainty that suppresses hiring and growth. Governmental policies don't directly affect that, unless you are a government contractor.

Geez, we were hearing the same mantra when the Dow was at 7k last year. One thing is certain...you pour 1.5 trillion of fresh funny money into anything and people keep their jobs and the economy rebounds temporarily. Our friend Doug said it best quoting Buffett. If China is on track, we'll be pulling up the caboose. In the meantime, America, create, create, create.

Howard, by posting this article, you show you belong to the fools in DC. Or the clueless rackets in Wall Street.

There is a high degree of certainty.

First, foremost, USA is finally entering the decade of reckoning for past mismanagement and wholesale excess. This is a well-deserved punishment. I suggest you enjoy it.

Current situation is such that 'recovery' in every sense of the word, is impossible. Since you don't realize this simple reality, it makes you a fool.

The average person knows extremely well, with high certainty, everything that matters to them. It spells 'we have been screwed and more screwing are coming'.

The rich also knows their situation with certainty. It spells 'We had great time the past decade. Our accounts are down but still loaded with untold millions. Take the money and run!'

As to you, the so-called investor, you have invested nothing. All you did was to play the stock market. Now the stock market is screwed, by your colleagues and the billionaires. And you still want to play the stock market, clueless? How big a fool you want to be?

well govt cannot creat any jobs if this is true cuba will be the richest country in the world,only private sector and small business will creat millinons of jobs in america.

people keep their jobs and the economy rebounds temporarily.

I think the comments in this stream work to prove that there is a very deep, fundamental uncertainty of how the economy in general will fare, whether that means economic gain or not. Let's put it this way, if there wasn't any uncertainty at all, we would know how to fix it.

Has anyone noticed how China managed to re-ignite their economy ? Massive spending on infrastructure.

By having stimulus and delaying the pain is certain disaster, not uncertainty.

In fact, recession is natural. It is a process of nature. Just like after we eat alot, now we must visit the toilet.

So,by let the whole thing unwind itself is the best certainty. At least, we know where we are heading, and when bottom come naturally we are in a good footing for the the next up cycle.

But now, by having a hugh stimulus is like planting a time bomb into the future generation. That is a certainty for disaster for future generation.

The U.S. lacks good leadership at a time of great concern. It is hard for the masses to get behind a weak Congress and a President that does not promote the small businesses on main street. The unemployment numbers are not reported to reflect the current reality of the non working people and the load they are bearing through this period.