>>Seriously, the problem with the movie is that George Bailey engages in the same kind of slipshod lending practices Congress pressured the banks to engage in in the 1990s. And we know where that led. But Bailey is treated like a hero.<<
Um, no.
Everyone that the Savings and Loan is lending to has jobs. Martini even has his own business.
Pay attention to the backgrounds and you will see the whole story. He is a hero. Perhaps you don’t know what it’s like to live in company owned homes. My grandparents did. When someone gave them a hand up, they worked like dogs to keep what they had earned.
It was a different time back then.
Even if we sympathize with their circumstances, the fact is they couldn’t afford the loans. Even Bailey admits they would be too old to enjoy their homes if he waited for them to qualify under ordinary rules.