"The parasites who live off that honesty and diligence are the problem..." ~ Don T

That is it in a nutshell.

The financial crisis was caused by speculators, short-sellers and other parasites who manipulate the stock and commodity markets for their personal gain. Some make millions doing that. A few make billions. The free-market "worker bees" get a sore back, short wages and perhaps have their house lost in a foreclosure.

The gas and oil prices this summer were due to speculators. Period. The hard-working producers got the blame.