unplug it...hehe...
well, if you have some time and you are fairly mechanically inclined (which it sounds like you are)..
i would take it apart, find the drain motor, put the washer cycle on drain and test for voltage at the motor. if you are getting voltage, then you have a bad motor, if not, then you have to trace those wires...mabye a bad switch or blown fuse...its hard to say really
also, ive heard of a thing that some washers do which is called suds lock. if the water is too soapy / sudzy it wont drain. in that case i think youre just supposed to let it sit, and pour some fresh water in the tub
edit: unplug it while you are taking it apart, but obviously you have to plug it back in to test it