The worsening credit crisis is creating even more worry about the labor market outlook and there was little consolation in the jobs report Friday.  All signs are pointing to further deterioration in the months ahead. The big question is how bad it will get and how quickly.

The worsening credit crisis is creating even more worry about the labor market outlook and there was little consolation in the jobs report Friday.  All signs are pointing to further deterioration in the months ahead. The big question is how bad it will get and how quickly.

As Congress tries again to pass a financial rescue plan, the question remains whether a bailout is actually needed—and if so, what are the options.

Having trouble understanding the Wall Street rescue plan? Think of it in terms of some popular TV shows: "Who’s the Boss?" "Deal or No Deal" and "Jeopardy."

In the debate over homeowner aid in the Wall Street bailout, both sides appear to have forgotten that Congress approved a $300 billion mortgage rescue in July.

“The Wall Street mess will now have collateral damage to the real economy,” says Steve Hanke, a former White House economist. “We're coming into this thing in a terrible situation.”

The  $700 billion financial rescue plan bears little resemblance to the  savings and loan bailout almost two decades ago—and may not be as successful, experts say. First and foremost, there’s no accompanying re-regulation of the financial services industry.

In the financial services industry of the future, too big to fail may be both a bigger understatement and bigger possibility than today – and at no small cost.

Don't expect the central bank to cut interest rates on Tuesday at its regularly scheduled FMOC meeting following the Lehman Brothers-Merrill Lynch-AIG developments, even though that's the action it took in March when Bear Stearns was on the ropes.