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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Consumer Complicity in the Credit Crisis

The finger of blame for the worst economic mess since the Great Depression has been pointed mainly at Wall Street. But what about Main Street, where ordinary Americans have been living on credit cards and sub-prime mortgages, borrowed money they'll never pay back? Now that the roof's falling in, can consumers afford to continue spending?

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

The finger of blame for the worst economic mess since the Great Depression has been pointed mainly at Wall Street. But what about Main Street, where ordinary Americans have been living on credit cards and sub-prime mortgages, borrowed money they'll never pay back? Now that the roof's falling in, can consumers afford to continue spending? If they don't, what happens to economic recovery? China's consumer economy is booming, with a high savings rate and very few credit cards. Is that a better model? Will the crisis change America's values? We'll raise these and other questions today.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Sonya Geis

    Senior Managing Editor

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    Linda Chavez

    Center for Equal Opportunity

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    Dean Calbreath

    Business reporter and Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune

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    Brian Wesbury

    Chief Economist, First Trust Advisors

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