You are correct, except that they are here already. We are not as bad as the Great Depression, but our economy and immediate future are more stagnant than during the Carter years. Right now the stock market fluctuates based on the value of the dollar; other than that, it has been stuck in neutral for about 5 months. Over the last 3 weeks the dollar has gained in value (very modestly), but that is only because we suck less than much of the rest of the world.
Are you kidding? It's sliding backwards downhill, and they've got the accelerator floored just to hold it in place ... that magic 10,000 number.