What the bailout will do depends on what exactly the bailout ends up being. The best scenario for a bailout is not neccessarily a true bailout but allowing enough money to be available for lending institutions to let money and goods to continue to change hands. It would not save most people's homes if they are in jeapardy right now. It would allow money to be available to lend, or to back up lending, so you can go out and borrow money to buy a car, so you could get a small business loan, so a manufacturer could get some credit to bring in parts needed to build the goods he/she manufactures. It allows retail companies to find some credit so they can order next seasons goods, and to continue to pay business and payroll costs during a slow time or slow part of the season. It allows people to stay employed with companies who do not have available cash to meet needs when profits are not being brought in. Keeping financial investment institutions open for business keeps all the rest of us able to get what we need and want to live with. No money available to lend????.....No distribution of goods. But, too much of a bailout cheapens the dollar too much, which slows down investment too. It's a huge circle that goes round and round. The little person needs the big guys to have funds available so the economy keeps moving. This is beyond protecting profits for firms who made bad loans. This is about keeping money out there for use for everyday things we take for granted, let alone for finding money to invest. It would not surprise me if soon they shut down the market to prevent even further fallout. If even for only a few hours.