... and everyone took a step back,
... except you (sucker).

• Private businesses shed millions of jobs,
  closed tens of thousands of factories,
  built huge cash reserves (in lieu of hiring).
   
• State and local governments laid off
  millions of workers, including police
  officers, fire fighters, sanitation
  workers, other public works employees.
   
• School districts laid off thousands
  of teachers, counselors, aids, bus
  drivers, etc.
   
  • The federal government was called upon
    by state after state for help with
    their unplanned (and un-insured) disaster
    losses, massive unemployment, homeless
    people, as well as the massive defense
    efforts, etc.