September's spike in US unemployment numbers was the latest indication of a faltering economy, but the country's problems certainly aren't limited to layoffs. Unfortunately, the $700 billion bailout plan won't make things much better, analysts tell the Los Angeles Times. From consumer activity to state governments, the economic signs are all pointing south.
Manufacturers saw a shocking 4% drop in August, and after a slight bump in spending this year, consumers have just stopped buying. "We've got a really rough time ahead of us in 2009 and 2010," says one economist. Although the roots of the problem can be traced to the beginnings of the financial crisis, the bailout won't stop this slowdown.
(More US economy stories.)