re: So the Dow set a record-high today...

What is more interesting is the data comparison between the previous high in 2007: LINK The only positive in the whole bunch is the reduction in household debt probably due to a ton of foreclosures.

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Dow Jones Industrial Average:
Then 14164.5; Now 14164.5
Regular Gas Price:
Then $2.75; Now $3.73
GDP Growth:
Then +2.5%; Now +1.6%
Americans Unemployed (in Labor Force):
Then 6.7 million; Now 13.2 million
Americans On Food Stamps:
Then 26.9 million; Now 47.69 million
Size of Fed's Balance Sheet:
Then $0.89 trillion; Now $3.01 trillion
US Debt as a Percentage of GDP:
Then ~38%; Now 74.2%
US Deficit (LTM):
Then $97 billion; Now $975.6 billion
Total US Debt Oustanding:
Then $9.008 trillion; Now $16.43 trillion
US Household Debt:
Then $13.5 trillion; Now 12.87 trillion
Labor Force Particpation Rate:
Then 65.8%; Now 63.6%
Consumer Confidence:
Then 99.5; Now 69.6
S&P Rating of the US:
Then AAA; Now AA+
VIX:
Then 17.5%; Now 14%
10 Year Treasury Yield:
Then 4.64%; Now 1.89%
EURUSD:
Then 1.4145; Now 1.3050
Gold:
Then $748; Now $1583
NYSE Average LTM Volume (per day):
Then 1.3 billion shares; Now 545 million shares