economy if the deal isn't done. interest rates will go up, it makes it more expensive to borrow money for a car, a home or pay for a college education. the transportation secretary, ray la hood, joined the white house press secretary today, warned it would mean massive layoffs for construction workers because cities and states and even private companies would postpone big construction projects again because of rising interest. >> this is not the time to be laying off 70,000 construction workers. these are friends and neighbors to people who live in communities. these are people who work hard. >> if the dollar weakens, the cost of everything we buy overseas goes up, including foreign oil, foreign electronics and other foreign goods like for those who have a silver spoon, a gucci scarf or prada handbag. carmen is a personal finance expert, the author of "the real cost of living." there are real impacts here if