Knoxtenn, Yes it was Democrat initiated (not a Democratic lead congress) with the intention of allowing lower income yet still qualified to get into home ownership. BUT It was DEREGULATION by the Bush Administration that permitted the abuse of these initiates by Wall st and these initiates were passed by an OVERWHELMINGLY lead republican house! They certainly saw opportunity to abuse for profit what was initially intended for assisting lower income. It was the passing on of the risk into portfolios by derivatives and credit default swaps that created the catastrophe. Is it someone holding a match to light a candle that is guilty or the one who throws gas on it?