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