Housing Crisis Orchestrated By Our Government Paid For By Its’ People

I have tried to remain positive in light of all the doom and gloom news regarding the financial sector.  I know the media would rather report the negative aspect of all things, because it generates the highest ratings.  Where are the days of news being true journalism?  The time when a story broke and a group of people investigated, without political agendas and reported the news to the people.  We have heard so much about this housing crisis, but so little about what caused it or what could have stopped it, other than general information that could be picked up in coffee shop talk.  It is frustrating to learn that 3 1/2 years ago the writing was on the wall as seen from a Business Week article from February 2005.  Furthermore our own government was well aware of the looming danger in the housing market in the middle of the bubble in September of 2003.  The government created yet another commission that did nothing to hedge the damage that was being created by two of the largest housing lenders in the U.S.  In fact, Barney Frank, who  recently denied that he tried to placate the emotions regarding the housing crisis, stated in 2003 in a NY Times article that, ”These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ”The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”   This type of governmental mismanagement shoud send us through the roof.  We work entirely to hard for our money to allow the government to be so reckless and then push the bill on us.  I am tired of the politicians waving the American Dream in front of our face during election time and then snatching it away every time the lobbiest and special interest groups come along.  The real question here is how can we be informed and ensure the individuals that are representing us in government are making decisions that will serve our best interests?  What are some positive steps that the average American can take to feel in control of our own government and in the decision making processes that affect our everyday life?  How have these recent events changed you and your willingness to contact your elected representatives and senators?  Will you become more politically active in light of these recent events?