I don't think many believe "the Markets are headed swiftly back to pre-recession heights."
Yes, the recession might be over, but I keep hearing that unemployment rates will remain high for quite awhile.
Unemployment = no income = no automatic monthly investing in 401K plans = less tax revenue (and whether you like it or not, state governments employ many people, from school teachers to bridge inspectors and road repair crews) = continued lack of upside on housing prices = lack of borrowing power = less spending = bad news for a consumer driven economy