Reply #2: Of course certainty is important.

[Tesha]

One of the biggest reasons Mr. Tesha and I aren't spending
like we might is that both of us have been unemployed and/or
underemployed off and on for quite a while now. We're certainly
not going to spend big on (say) a new car given the fact that
we could easily see our income destroyed at any moment.

And I'm fairly certain we're located firmly in the mainstream
of modern American thought when we think and act this way.
But because of this, a true economic recovery isn't possible,
at least until people are reasonably certain that tomorrow
won't find them on the dole or, worse yet, out on the street.

Tesha