[torquinus]

It might be helpful to define some current “economic” terms for clarity.

Toxic Asset == worthless debt note

credit crunch == I won't lend to you when your collateral is a “toxic asset” unless I am the Treasury, maybe, or maybe not

bank balance sheet == assets - liabilities, but uncounted toxic assets could be assets, or liabilities (see credit crunch)

economic stimulus package == partly a way to cure bank balance sheets, but mostly stimulating for congress, the executive branch, legions of state and local govs and their pals and cohorts.

Levity is OK, but God help us this is gonna get really bad. “A republic, madam. If you can keep it.”

[Centurion2000]

It's a recession when people lose their jobs.
It's a Depression when economists lose their jobs.