probably the stealth policy is keep the dollar low..benefits midddle america more, the agricultural and industrial regions, i.e. the republican red states, but put the heat to the blue democratic coastal states... imported foreign food and smelly cheese will cost more. We're treading a fine line between inflation and deflation. If we get stuck in a deflationary slide it won't be a crash but a years long creeping decline.
If the combined efforts of the Fed and the Treasury Dep't can nudge us into a mildly inflationary mode, corporations regain their pricing power and the economy moves. The whole idea of the weak dollar is to export deflation to the Europeans.

the problem is not consumer confidence, though that is starting to slide more.  Where the rebound needs to occur is in business spending and business confidence.  We won't see a upswing until businesses feel they can once again invest in R&D, new locations, new HW/SW, and hiring.  Most companies are taking a wait and see attitude which is self-defeating.

In my industry (Motion Pictures)the true sign of a depressed economy,is demonstrated by theatre attendance,and Video rentals.People want to forget,be entertained, and escape. Theatre attendance rises.Attendance is now at an all-time high.The economy, at anear record low.Motion picture pre and post production is also at an all time high.Well into  2004.When economy improves,we see Television and radio  commercial  production increase.Thus far, it has been flat,or regressive.Do the math.
Just my 1.5 cents (Used to be :" my 2 Cents")