Investor Clouseau, I agree with part of your statement. However, your implied view is only one aspect to a complicated situation within a broader economic matter. IMO, It the issue appeared to emerge during Presidents Carter and Johnson's Great Society efforts to help the economic disadvantaged buy building adequate housing of individuals living in poverty, where many lived in the Slums. In Saint Louis, where I lived at the time, it was Pruitt Igo.
From my readings and experiences: Maslow's Needs Triangle comes into play with "shelter, clothing, and food," at the base of the Triangle. I am sure you and others on this site have knowledge in this area, and how the lack of basic needs may lead to individual "trauma," and the acting out unacceptable behavior and discipline problems within schools.
From reading the book, "The Big Short," by Michael Lewis, and Bob Woodward, book, "Maestro," we get a basic idea of how the over building, bank involvement, Federal Reserve, automation, other corporations, and institutions all had a part in the collapse of the economic conditions leading to 2008. IMO, the boom of the "apartment" complexes being built were followed by the "individual" housing boom giving individuals ownership in their own house. Added to this complex issue banks made low, reduced interest, or free loans, second loans, and corporate (Wall Street, AIG, other large banks, etc). It appears that greed to maximize profits for stockholders, led many institutions to take possible inappropriate actions.
Further information-My wife and I were challenged by a couple of British Banker's during one of our trips to Utah. They stated, that Brit's were upset with the USA for packaging "bad," bonds, and then selling the bonds as "Triple AAA," ratings.
Those of us who have pensions, stock holders, mutual holders, 401-K's, etc. all look at our return on our investments.
The questions: how do we resolve the possible conflict of the Biblical language of "love thy neighbor as ourself, with economic individual greed of making a profit? Or, how much?
Naturally, the above is subject to others interpretation. :)
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