[quote=sdduuuude]markmax33 – I’m as much a Ron Paul / Free market fan as you are, but I often berate people for using this forum as a bully pulpit for their own political interests. To be consistent and fair, I have to say you are starting to fall under this category.[/quote]

Well if we are concerned about a housing bubble I think we should be debating the causes of it and who actually has a plan to fix it and who can do something about it shouldn’t we? I’m not sure how discussing and showing people the solution to the very topic of the forum is making it a bully pulpit? I’m not sure many people on here understand the federal reserve and most would probably be sick to their stomach if they knew what it is and how it caused the housing bubble.

Always good to relate it back to housing, yes.

Just hoping you don’t become to Ron Paul what briansd is to the liberals.

I suspect the concentration of people who understand the Fed’s role is higher on this blog than in almost any physical or cyber-space:

http://piggington.com/in_hindsight_who_is_most_to_blame_for_the_financial_crisis

A quote from our fearless leader from that thread:

[quote=Rich Toscano]
I like sdduuuude’s answer, but I have to put Greenspam first and the ratings agencies second.

The agencies were the lynchpin to the whole mortgage crisis, so they bear huge responsibility there. However, Greenspam was asleep at the wheel for not one but two world-beating asset bubbles. No, scratch that — he wasn’t just asleep at the wheel, he was a cheerleader for both bubbles. And the mop-up from the first bubble basically created the environment that allowed the second and much worse bubble.

His “reign” was truly catastrophic and I just hope he clings to life for long enough to witness the final outcome of his legacy (the nigh-inevitable US govt funding crisis) and, if there is any justice, the resulting complete destruction of his reputation as a central banker.

Rich
[/quote]

[quote=sdduuuude]Always good to relate it back to housing, yes.

Just hoping you don’t become to Ron Paul what briansd is to the liberals.

I suspect the concentration of people who understand the Fed’s role is higher on this blog than in almost any physical or cyber-space:

http://piggington.com/in_hindsight_who_is_most_to_blame_for_the_financial_crisis

A quote from our fearless leader from that thread:

[quote=Rich Toscano]
I like sdduuuude’s answer, but I have to put Greenspam first and the ratings agencies second.

The agencies were the lynchpin to the whole mortgage crisis, so they bear huge responsibility there. However, Greenspam was asleep at the wheel for not one but two world-beating asset bubbles. No, scratch that — he wasn’t just asleep at the wheel, he was a cheerleader for both bubbles. And the mop-up from the first bubble basically created the environment that allowed the second and much worse bubble.

His “reign” was truly catastrophic and I just hope he clings to life for long enough to witness the final outcome of his legacy (the nigh-inevitable US govt funding crisis) and, if there is any justice, the resulting complete destruction of his reputation as a central banker.

Rich
[/quote][/quote]

That’s a good quote from Rich but I have yet to hear him actually attack the Federal Reserve and Kenysian economics. I think until we turn the corner and start pointing fingers over there and getting audits, we aren’t doing our jobs as Americans. I didn’t read the whole thread but I have chatted with Rich over email. I get the feeling that he thinks the federal reserve system is fine but the leaders were/are idiots. Once you realize that, there’s only a couple of options politically, and that’s how I got there.

[quote=markmax33]

….That’s a good quote from Rich but I have yet to hear him actually attack the Federal Reserve and Kenysian economics….[/quote]

Rich is a pretty smart guy, mark. He doesn’t need anyone to defend him here. However, my observation is that he captures the essence of our economic and financial situation, whilst avoiding the political and ideological claptrap that others fall for. I am very happy if he continues to do that. I come here for insights into housing, economics, and finance. I don’t come here to get more ideology or politics.

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
Brian: Sorry, dude, but I’m calling BS on this one. You are as partisan as they come, and your rep for attempting to deflect anything even remotely negative about Obama (or the Democratic Party) is legendary.
[/quote]

Thanks for the compliments. 😉

It’s a question of quality.

I believe my comments were a level above the bitterness, spite and venom directed at Obama and Democrats, especially after the elections during the health care reform and stimulus debates.

Before the 2008 elections, the right wing posters on here dismissed Obama but after he won, the crazy attacks started.

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
I have asked you point-blank questions that would have exposed the various contradictions of the Obama Administration and you have avoided answering those questions, as well as avoided acknowledging the many lies, mistakes and missteps of this president. In your own words, Obama is “perfect” and thus incapable of mistake or error. That isn’t “nutty” or “incoherent”?

Dude, c’mon.[/quote]

It’s not my job to address every point.

Just because I defend Obama doesn’t mean that I agree with all his policies.

I never said Obama is “perfect.” I just think that he’s the best choice for the difficult times we are in right now.

If you got the idea that Obama is perfect, it’s because he’s a composed, rational, intelligent person who doesn’t suffer personal character flaws that his detractors could latch onto (think Herman Cain), so they say that Obama a Muslim communist, not an American citizen, and the reincarnation of Hitler (all very crazy notions).

It remains to be seen if Ron Paul will become a viable choice in 2012. If Ron Paul doesn’t win the Republican nomination, then he won’t be a choice at all. If Republicans support Ron Paul, it’s up to them to advance his candidacy.

It seems to me that Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann more closely capture the imagination of Republicans.

The Real Reason for the Housing bubble,

“Owners Equivalent Rent”

It started the bubble in the eighties just after it was introduced, and it will be the reason for the next one as it keeps policy several years behind housing prices.

BTW the Bubbles and busts were much more severe before the fed believe it or not.

But I do agree with one thing, we don’t need the middle east we have all the energy we need right here, also we definitely don’t need anything from china.

I like Ron Paul for his consistency, and strongly agree with some of his positions. But he’s completely unfit to serve as President.

His persistent gadfly presence in the Repuglican tent is awesome though. Pisses off the establishment when he wins the straw polls. It’s great.