In early September 2008, U.S. financial leaders were saying “everything is fine.” Weeks later, we were being told that unless Congress voted for a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street all @#%* would hit the fan. What really happened? It is important to realize that this wasn’t some sort of unavoidable “natural disaster”, but a human-created failure of public policy.

Join SALSA as Chuck Collins, director of IPS’ program on Inequality and the Common Good, and Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, explain the basics and background of the financial crisis and give a breakdown of the economic meltdown, its causes — and what lies ahead in 2009.

Because space is limited pre-registration is strongly suggested. Please register at http://www.hotsalsa.org/index.php?cid=1001042