Recession

What do we consider a recession? I mean when we had the great depression I wonder how long they called it a recession? I would defiantly say that we are in a recession. I mean why else would the government feel the need to issue stimulus checks to everybody and hope that they will go spend it. I surprised that spending it is not one of the qualifications of getting the check. I think that most people will either save it or use it to pay off bills. I myself am going to save it for a rainy day when I really need it. I think that everyone is just worried that we will really hit rock bottom. I mean with gas sky rocketing the way that it is and people losing their jobs because businesses are having to cut back I am worried. I work at a bank and I see the signs everyday it is sad. There are so many people trying to get second mortgages on their house just to pay what they are behind so they do not lose their house. How far is this potential recession going to get before someone steps in with a solution to this growing problem that everyone does not want to talk about?