How Now Dow!

I was very surprised that the Dow Jones industrial average didn't tank after the auto bailout bill failed to get through the Senate. In fact, the Dow finished up--not by much, but it was up.

I have said before that I am not a student of economics, but in this day and age, I really need to know about the stock market and how it impacts my life, and that of the economy.

Could anyone suggest a good place for me to go?