401 or not K

So who is going to bail us out? We are the ones that are paying for the banks, auto manufactures and mortgage bailouts and where does that leave us? In debt up to our ears, looking for part time jobs just to get by. So what do we do? Wait it out? Look at extra years of work just to make up for the losses? Invest what we can on low market stocks.... A million ideas, but what will really work for you? Your thoughts please