I want to like Ron Paul. I do, I really do. But I can't. I can't get behind the theory that the federal reserve is the main cause here. Whether they did their job right, or exacerbated the problem I'm not sure. But the fact is we didn't see a huge increase in all assets and debt. We saw a huge increase in one particular sector-housing. Of course that leads to more and more debt, but housing is where it started. The subprime market increased by 350% in just a few years. While there was/is increases in other markets, nothing compared to that of the subprime boom which if course leads to a house boom/equity boom. Keep in mind that subprime backed securities are not inherently more profitable than standard mortgage backed securities. The market is efficient and their is a direct correlation between risk/reward. The only change is whether you want to make very small amounts over time or make a lot at once, only to lose most of it during the times when it doesn't work, or to put it in other terms, the only change is in the way the profit is eventually received. In the end, the risk profiles are the same.
With that in mind, if there was a universal bubble (like one created by the fed) we would have seen a rise in demand for all mortgage backed securities. The reason we didn't is because the demand was created by the ostensible safety net that CDS's provided. Demand for subprime back securities in particular (remember, 350% rise) rose because there became a disconnect between risk and reward, or so it seemed (obviously, the balanced that equation eventually).
I do agree with him that more regulatory agencies isn't the answer. I'm sorry Mr.President, but they don't work. It may sound obvious but what we need are GOOD regulators and the government, by its nature, sucks at everything. Obama needs to figure out a way to make regulation actually do its job.
Towards the end of the video it seem obvious that Paul doesn't have much of a plan either. Let the bankruptcies go forward ok, fine. Then he says "liquidate debt, decrease spending and decrease taxes". Oh, perhaps that's what we haven't thought about all this time. There is no free lunch. Debt doesn't self liquidate without revenue. Plan to cut taxes to increase revenue? Dubious, but ok, short term debt is going to skyrocket best case scenario.
I do like the bill he is sponsoring about the Fed. some shady, shady business has gone on there (for better or worse I can't say) regarding the fed and them forcing certain companies to buy other companies.
He closes by again blaming the fed, which as I said, I don't agree with. Having said all that, I change my mind-I like RP, I just think he doesn't quite comprehend the complexity of the macro situation.