A Somewhat Wonkish but Understandable Explanation

If you took a couple of economics courses in college (like I did), or if you have sufficient interest in the problem of the government bailing out financial institutions, you'll like this article. Instead of securitized mortgages, collateralized debt obligations, and credit default swaps (all of which can make your eyes glaze over), the author uses the analogy of taking over a nearly bankrupt used car lot when the condition of the cars is unknown.