Nations do not purchase their prosperity, says Eric Fry. Since this crisis started last year, the government has thrown around $8 trillion at the problem. But these are banknotes that it has manufactured for itself. And that’s why we may soon face a severe threat from inflation.

The Dow dropped another 338 points on Friday. How much more of this can investors take? Berkshire Hathaway fell below $100,000. And GM appeared to be heading for the junkyard.

In the currency market, the dollar was sharply lower against the euro. Late Tuesday, the euro was trading at $1.2707 vs. $1.2452 on Monday. All eyes were turned toward the Federal Reserve, which began meeting yesterday and will issue its interest rate pronouncement around 2:15 this afternoon, but the preliminary action in equities yesterday (Dow up almost 900) clearly indicated an expectation for a major cut.

Take our quiz: Is the market even close to normal anymore?… Credit freeze continues to thaw… Mayer and Denning on what companies need to rebound… Home prices fall again, consumer confidence crashes, but market rallies? … Eric Fry on when this global financial trauma will come to an end… Plus, want a DVD copy of I.O.U.S.A.? Get the details below…

U.S. stocks soar!  Currencies rally!  Consumer Confidence at an all-time low!  Getting off the bench! And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

GDP growth data comes out this week (Thursday). William Patalon III says confirmation that a recession is underway should help the stock market find a bottom. In the meantime, William says investors should follow two simple rules to survive and prosper in this market. 1) Don’t panic sell. 2) Buy undervalued stocks with long-term potential.

Microsoft Profit Up; Goldman Slashes Jobs; Dow Reports 6% Jump in Profits; Sony Slashes Earnings Outlook; WaMu Debt Value Set; Crude Gains on OPEC Expectations

The feds are pulling out all the stops to end the rout in financial markets. On top of the Hank Paulson’s pork-laden bailout bill, the Fed is pumping hundreds of billions into the global financial system. It has even started buying up short-term commercial paper.

Today, the Fed joined other major central banks in a surprise and unprecedented coordinated rate cut. Still, US stocks open sharply lower.

William Patalon III says the Americans “have less money to spend … and are spending more for less.” He gives three reasons why the US is plunging into recession.

Investing icon Warren Buffett took his own advice Tuesday – getting “greedy when others are fearful” – when he ignored the banking-sector bonfire and slapped down a cool $5 billion for a stake in Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS). By literally putting his money where his mouth is, Buffett’s actions – and reputation as a shrewd bargain hunter – restored some of Goldman’s luster and helped bolster investor confidence in the U.S. banking system.

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…