"Foreclosure Alley," a disturbing video by SoCal Connected that shows what is left behind in the wake of foreclosure.

"The anxiety we feel about rising prices, plummeting home values and a weak dollar is real. But perhaps we should take comfort in the fact that, historically, recessions are relatively short and they're usually followed by long periods of prosperity."

From a Brief History of Recessions by Harvard Business Publishing.

The New York Times displays, with maps and charts, the source of the "no" votes in the U.S. House of Representatives over the $700 billion federal plan to kick-start the financial markets. The legislation has been referred to as a "rescue" or "bailout" plan, depending on who you talk to. The House voted down the bill in a 228-205 vote Monday (see Inman News article).

The Senate will revisit the issue in considering similar legislation -- a vote is expected later today on the Senate's version of the plan.

The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press reported that public support has declined for the government plan. A survey conducted Sept. 27-29 found that 45 percent of respondents said the government plan is the right thing to do, while 38 percent said it's the wrong thing to do and 17 percent didn't know or refused to answer.

That compares to a Sept. 19-22 survey, which found that 57 percent said it's the right thing to do, 30 percent said it's the wrong thing and 13 percent either didn't know or refused to answer.