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I am starting to suspect that the whole underlying concept of the Western civilisation has been to rip off and fleece the prudent till they die or flee. As long as some humans feel entitled to more, nothing can change.

So, as much as I anticipate the bright outcome you mention, history teaches that it is less probable than either of the following:

- no change at all (which may mean war in the long run);

- cancellation of debts*;

or

- money reform

This is the way it was done in Rome and Greece: read Plutarch, Tacitus, Livy for examples of financial acrobatics, government scandals, and social turmoil. It's amazing how nothing has changed since then.

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* Julius Caesar invaded Rome and became what we know him for mainly because of immense debts he had accumulated.

As for not mentioning real estate proper – it's buried somewhere in the big picture.

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Retrain? Move to a new industry? Move to a new location? We all have choices in life. Less whining, more proactive changing.

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There are few good opportunities in this country because the irresponsible have been bailed out. Most of our economy is based on rent seeking and leveraged speculation. The big banks offer 1% interest when core inflation is 2%, nevermind food which is 4% or transportation which is 5%.

I can tell you one thing, I am definitely not paying for this. I'm only in Vancouver to be near family, not to pay into some ponzi scheme. When things turn sour I'm voting with my feet. I want to start a high tech business and it sure as hell won't be here. Basic costs are outrageous. Also amusing are the companies full of geezers who seem to think that people my age should work for half their wage, when they can't do what I do.

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Of course, if someone sits on 100% downpayment, it's another story, but I am the average Joe. And no, I am not even close to being pissed off or stressed.

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Happy renter.

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While one might have choices in van real estate they now seem to be reduced to "rent something of dodgy quality or sell yourself into slavery. "

if I seem surprised it's because it seems like there are now more choices in smaller cities, at least for me. Instead of banging my head against the wall looking for work, I'm able to network far more easily here because everyone knows everyone else and I don't have to go up against 1,000 other people and a faceless HR department. I just got off the phone with an IT consulting group who heard I was in town. They have an opportunity they'd like to discuss.

Instead of constantly hunting for a decent place at an affordable price, I found a gorgeous spot first time out. When I'm ready there are tons and tons of cute little postwar places in great shape on nice lots for sale.

Yeah maybe I sound astonished. It's because I am. It seems like there can be more opportunity and more choice in smaller cities now. I'm sure the poster who moved to Regina knows what I am talking about.

Meanwhile there seems to be a great deal of unhappiness on the board here. Let's face it, it sucks to have to wait for a crash to be able to afford a decent home. People Herr seem pissed off, stressed out or are pretending to be someone they aren't like supra or richasian.

It's my own subjective reality but hey, I freely admit that.

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