Probably because the economy is not really very strong and everyone knows it.

Look over here Jimbo is making 20% more than 3 years ago. His monthly expense are up 40% and he is financing his life on his credit card but ignore that part. The economy is great.

Everything happens for a reason and because someones ( a thin layer of peoples) have major interests. I think all of the "big movements" needs to be analyzed from this point of view also...to figure out who / when / where are interested to some things to happen.

To reply to your question...Americans are so down, because governemts have this interest. US government is a major "player" in the global economy, and from different reasons it is convenable to have (temporary) a weak/weaker economy.

I recommend this article...unfortunately it is in Hungarian language...is about Rockefellers http://mek.niif.hu/06800/06897/html/1002.htm