I think we're overdue.

Gas prices have been high the past few years and WE have been absorbing the costs, while the oil companies make outrageous profits. Lots of families got that second mortgage or tapped the equity in their homes to get their kids through highschool or pay off debt.
Interest rates are snowballing and middle class America is in a crunch. Most families are one paycheck away from disaster, whether it's a lay off, accident or illness.
Between the outsourcing and the laying off of the Boomers, I can see it coming a mile away. Our homes are our security. We have been asleep at the wheel while others took advantage of the markets.

I just read an article about the biggest mortgage lender in the US, Countrywide might have to declare bankruptcy. They suggest if you're using them to close a loan, you'd better get on <it.>