Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it.
For those who believe that subprime crisis was a regulation faliure
Thu, 11/12/2009 - 02:22 — JC
Excellent article for those who believe that subprime crisis was a regulation failure. If that was so then why is it that 3/4th of the subprime losses will be at Freddie and Fannie?
The further into this crisis we go, the greater the share of subprime loans and mortgage losses are turning out to be located at Freddie and Fannie. Even one year ago, if you had asked me, I would have told you to expect at least 2/3 of the losses to be at companies like Citi and Bear, with less than 1/3 at Freddie and Fannie. It now looks quite different. Conservatively, 3/4 of taxpayers losses will be at Freddie and Fannie. Perhaps as much as 90 percent of taxpayer losses will be there.
Given the large role of Freddie and Fannie, it makes sense for politicians to create as large a diversion as possible. Hence, the brouhaha over bonuses at bailed-out banks.
Incidentally, the debate over the "public option" in health reform also can be viewed as an exercise in symbolic politics and diversion. The point is to divert attention away from the bankruptcy of Medicare.