Stocks fall sharply on consumer spending worries

By SARA LEPRO
AP Business Writer

(AP:NEW YORK) Investors uneasy about the holiday shopping season gave Monday back some of Wall Street’s recent gains, sending the Dow Jones industrial average down more than 360 points.

While initial reports about the start of holiday shopping this weekend suggested sales were better than some retailers and analysts expected, Americans are clearly extremely cautious. That has Wall Street concerned about the impact of a continuing drop in consumer spending on the economy.

According to preliminary figures released by RCT ShopperTrak, a research firm that tracks total retail sales at more than 50,000 outlets, sales rose 3 percent…

The Recession Answer: Trickle down or trickle up

After more than eighteen months of doomsday predictions, the nation is just now getting around to planning for a recession. Some say it is too late. Others believe there are still hopes of eliminating a debilitating downward spiral.

On Thursday, our nation’s elected officials conducted a conference call and gathered around a virtual table to discuss the options. When it comes to keeping a multi-trillion dollar economy out of the hopper, the choices are often painful and limited.

Fed Chief Bernanke wants immediate relief. He wants cash in the hands of American consumers fast. An economy filled with cash-heavy consumers is…