Whose to Blame for the bailout and mortgage meltdown....

I do not know. Not before I read the post, not after. Thanks for invitation to Google, though (LOL)

From what I know. the Communities Reinvestment Act was an attempt to get the lenders to stop their red-lining policy.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would have been much better if much of the de-regulation that was removed during the Bush administration was left in place.  That's my two cents.

Personally I believe you have to go way back to the political environment several years ago.

The economy was slow, (wish I could remember the date, I think was under Clinton) and the politicians were looking for ways to stimulate the economy. 

"Wow, housing is down and we want every American to have a home, so let fix that."

But people have not saved any money, they are spending what little they have on credit cards, so

Walla, lets let them buy it for nothing down, that will fix it.  And better still, lets relax the credit score requirement for loans, meanwhile kick Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac up by making more money available.

Got it yet, your right, the politicians created this mess with polices that violate the basic American Rule, "you got to work for what you get, no free rides".

OK, just my opinion but check it out and you will see the history.  I am 65 years old, and when I grew up my dad told me "save your money son, some day you can buy a home".  Was I shocked when I started Real Estate and went to the first closing where the buyer brought a pin and that was all, the money came from other sources, including the down payment and all the closing cost.

Think about it, our Government created a problem and failed to monitor the results.

Pete