[trisham]

In short, it is my belief that the old “ant and grasshopper” story came into play, and the VAST majority of people in trouble broght it on themselves.

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Imho, it was this group and government interference in private businesses that caused the bulk of the problem.

[joe fonebone]

The people that I have observed and known that lost everything fall into 3 categories:

They suffered a divorce or other major occurance that drove them into bankrupcy (33% fall into this category)

They spent most of their money on frivilous luxuries, buying large homes, etc. and failed to put money away, and then lost their jobs, resulting in losing everything, a personal ponzi scheme that finally caught up with them (33% fall into this category)

those that are genuine victims of the economy (33% fall into this category)

So, based upon my observations, 33% deserve my sympathy. And those 33% have my sympathy. The other 66% brought it on themselves. They get no sympathy from me.