The 10 SCARIEST Charts Of The Recession

Over the past year, a number of economists have proclaimed the recession's end. The media, too, have urged economic optimism, particularly in the last few weeks. At the New York Times, Floyd Norris argued that the economy is experiencing "a cyclical recovery that is gaining strength." This week's Newsweek cover story trumpets the valiant recovery of a "comeback country" now roaring ahead in post-recessionary times.

But a closer look reveals a far more muddled picture. In the first quarter of 2010, economic activity fell in half of the U.S. states, the number of national housing foreclosures jumped back near their 2009 peak, and household debt as a percentage of GDP, long-term unemployment, and income inequality are still at or near their historic highs.

Before you get too excited about the recovery, check out these charts from the recession's still lingering impact:

Wall Street Bonuses vs. Normal Pay

1 of 11

The WORST Iceland Volcano Air Travel Nightmares (PHOTOS)

America's 11 Worst Airlines: AQR

The Ten Countries With The Riskiest Sovereign Debt (PHOTOS)

10 Cities Where The Economy Is Growing FASTER Than Before The Recession (PHOTOS)

The SEC's Biggest Whistleblower Blunders (PHOTOS)

March Unemployment Report: Everything You Need To Know About The Latest Jobs Figures

Beginning in the 1990s, Wall Street bonuses began to take off, and were downright astronomical by 2006. And even when Wall-Street bonuses dipped during the financial crisis, they still did not, according to this chart, come anywhere near worker's annual salary.