gibbon_with_a_ribbon

I cannot speak for the other points but the guy in your first paragraph has a point. People were chasing a spectre, an illusion, which is what led to the speculative bubble. They bought houses that they could not realistically afford because everyone saw it as a huge money making venture and like all speculative bubbles the players thought it would go on forever.

In this respect the people played a part in this. It is at this point I agree but lets not forget that the people pushing it had just as much a part to play in the fiasco. Of course they're not going to take all the blame and rightfully so. The sad thing is though some won't even take part of the blame. What they will do is shift the blame onto anyone but themselves. The best lies have a hint of truth.

Basically:

Did the poor people who could not afford the mortgages contribute? Of course.

Is it solely on their shoulders? Fuck no.

It's like saying a junkie is solely responsible for his habit so why focus on those who push the drugs?