The stock market looks set to close with 2012 as a good year despite an economic recovery that remains subpar for many American households and businesses. The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) is up almost 13% the Nasdaq (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) is up almost 15% and the Russell 2000 (INDEXRUSSELL:RUT) is up over 13%. Even overseas markets are having a good year ignoring slowing growth in China and ongoing crisis in European sovereign debt. The major exchange-traded funds representing international developed and emerging markets are each up about 14%. Markets have rallied in 2012 against many challenges for several reasons. First central banks ...