perhaps it's down to us all thinking we could afford to buy a house and the financial companies being willing to give us credit for one in spite of the fact we're currently living under a bridge keeping warm at night with a cocktail of rubbing alcohol and urine (you got me Orlis). ergo house prices became ridiculous as realtors made the most of the banks' folly; but even the mighty magician reagan couldn't create wealth from nothing and soon the world realized that the bankers and realtors were not wearing any clothes. now paranoia has struck and we're all left wondering if indeed anyone is wearing any clothes. lots and lots of people bought into this illusion, and it's perhaps best to start looking for culprits with a sense of personal responsibility. if you don't want a european-style nanny state to look after you, you'd best stop whining and get a second job (or a first one in my case, preferably part-time, something sitting down, if anyone's paying attention).