To me it appears the USA is in significant economic decline...I see many empty store fronts and closed businesses. In light of all this, the government is using COVID to take away civil liberties.

My question: is the government propping up the stock market to placate the population and keep them from revolting? The average citizen sees that his 401K is exploding, thus while he observes complete economic collapse around him he believes he will be OK in the end because of all the money he has generated through investments. Thus the average citizen believes he will have an economic future ahead of him due to the stock market climb.

I'm no economic expert and this is merely a theory that came across my mind.