I'm being intentionally dismissive of the notion that America is on the cusp of a popular revolt against "the rich", at least to the extent such a revolt takes

I'm being intentionally dismissive of the notion that America is on the cusp of a popular revolt against "the rich", at least to the extent such a revolt takes the form of the occupy wall street movement. I think various establishment Democrat-affiliated groups have taken an obvious interest, since they're hoping (against hope, I'd say) that this will become a counter-balance to the Tea Party. I will happily continue to underestimate them, despite the risk that it will somehow make them stronger. Also, I'm not saying that our recession is a normal growth/recession cycle. The 'standard' business cycle is (usually) inventory driven and the economy quickly recovers once inventories drain. This is a "balance-sheet" recession. It's driven by excessive consumer (and public) debt, and only goes away once that debt clears the system. "Wall Street" is to blame for excessive debt in the same way that McDonalds is to blame for obesity. They're one side of a two-sided transaction that was taken to excess, and now we have to patiently wait for the consequences to play out.