Wall Street is on its knees, and the taxpayer is on the hook for well over a trillion dollars to prop up the financial system.

Meanwhile, the wider US economy is sliding into a recession.

William Patalon III says there are four solid ways to protect your portfolio from these forces: 1) Buy dividend-paying stocks; 2) Buy gold; 3) Buy companies focused on overseas market; and 4) Don’t panic…

Editor’s Note: Money Morning’s Jennifer Yousfi has been talking a lot about the impact of rising corn prices on US food producers. With input costs of animal feed spiraling out of control, many producers are struggling to keep their heads above water. For investors, says Jennifer, this means no “slam-dunk” profit play. But Jennifer says she’s found three companies that she thinks offer good bargains…