Anyone see that CNBC production last night? "House of Cards." Very interesting. Blame all around. If you didn't see it you should tivo it...I'm sure it'll be on again soon.
Quote from CaptainObvious:
You'll get no argument from me that the government has had as much of a part in this as anyone. maybe more so.
Yes, Barney, Dodd and their pals were pushing the lenders, and the lenders being smart people came up with creative ways to make it happen. NINJA loans come to mind. Repubs played their hand as well.
Now it all blows up, as all these "smart" people knew it would. The unwashed masses get the hose and the "smart" people keep their fortunes and move on.
We keep hearing about having to retain the "best and the brightest". It was the best and the brightest that came up with all the creative ways to satisfy the government, who are assumed to be the best people we the people can vote for. My question is this...at what point does integrity play a part? When does that banker stand up and say, Mr. Government, if I make loans to these people, I'll have to commit fraud to make it happen, and I'm not willing to do that. I'm smart enough to figure out a scam to make it happen, but I'm unwilling to do that.
At what point does our government say, you're right Mr. Banker, that kind of business we can't do? We have to figure out another way. At what point do we as a people say, I'm unwilling to fuck my fellow man just to make a buck.
As I re-read what I've just written, I'm saying to myself, now that is some really naive shit. But you know what? Until we bring some integrity back in to the mix, "smart" won't be enough to fix the problems we create for ourselves. I fear we're already there.
Quote from Tigerjaw:
I think your statement is right on target for most people - - they recognize that they may have taken personal financial actions in the past that weren't too smart in retrospect - - but don't like the idea that it seems that others are playing by different rules now. How about Joe&Jane Lunchbucket who pays their bills but are struggling - - - while at the same time fat cats are getting bailouts and bonuses, and those who shouldn't have been approved for a loan in the first place may get 'government relief' that Joe&Jane will end up paying for ? - - -
"Personal responsibility" should apply to everyone equally. As a nation we went on a cheap money Fed induced and China financed spending/gambling spree and now we all have to pay for that.

Quote from ARealGannTrader:
I presume this is the opening question in an argument you are about to present.
Let me cut straight the point. The job in our business is to make money. Do you worry about the trader that can't identify trend on a chart? Should you feel sorry that you took his money from him?
If a consumer comes to me and asks for a loan, and I have a mandate to give it to him, then that is my job. If this person works at WalMart, that is not my concern really. He heard that I was here and that is why he showed up in the first place.
He is here because he heard that he can get a loan. I am here because I can give it to him. I am not a financial role model.
Bear and Lehman went belly up. They knew the risk, it didn't work out. They should have hedged, but that would ultimately reduce their returns, and in the evironment that they were in that would have negative consequences to that conservative chicken little department head.
I get pissed off when people engage in high stakes and then want to blame someone.
Lehman knew that they were giving risky loans. But who wants to be harassed by the ACLU? The monkey on the other end knew damn well that they had no business on the side of town that they were on. If you work as a cashier at WalMart, you don't belong in the Hamptons.
Life aint fair, get over it. Get a real job, then go buy that million dollar house.
But don't blame me if you came to me for a loan and I gave it to you. I had to. You knew where you belonged. If you make a thousand a month, and your mortgage is 900 a month, then can you seriously make the case that it was my fault?
BS
I was your hero until you couldn"t make your payment.
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