[grey_whiskers]

g_w: But the banks DID sell the packages of mortgages to a number of foreign banks, especially in Europe, some in Asia; so in a sense the sub-prime problem loans WERE enabled by free trade.

n: I'm supposed to worry about that? Worry that foreign investors have a stake in maintaining our economy in good shape?

My line above, underlined, was a summary of a long-winded answer to your question,

The 1% that have Sub-prime problem loans are because of "free trade"? Did they import that house from China or something?

In other words, "free trade" (this time, in financial derivatives) *did* in fact influence the sub-prime housing market in the U.S.

Cheers!

[narby]

"free trade" (this time, in financial derivatives) *did* in fact influence

Congratulations. You won your point, while not showing how this free trade is a bad thing.