TOON: This Modern World - "The Invisible Hand Of The Free Market"

[Hissyspit]

http://www.imgred.com/

[appal_jack]

1. k&r (nt)

[NewJeffCT]

2. Amazing how they scream "free markets" when it benefits them

but, run to the government and cry for help when something turns against them.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Good one!

K&R

[gratuitous]

4. Modern Libertarian thought in eight panels

Party like it's all sub-prime, then when the bill comes due, get your cronies in the government to bail out your overrich asses. Then blame the "speculators" and the "greedy folks" (as if they were someone else) for spoiling everything. The poor suckers who were just looking to buy a house they could live in (radical concept, I know) and who are now hung out to twist in the wind are completely forgotten, except to the extent they provide a desperate segment of society that will fall for the next scam when it comes along.

[krkaufman]

6. And don't forget about the poor saps who weren't in the housing market.

They're left out in the cold, as well, having watched housing prices vastly outpace inflation -- and their incomes. The housing market, like higher education, is now priced beyond the means of many Americans.

[Tyler Durden]

7. Not where I LIVE, sporto.

Here in Owosso, Shiawassee County, Central Michigan, you can pick up RIGHT NOW a 2042 square foot house, 2 full baths, 5 bedrooms, $89,000.



Or this one for $139,000. 5 Bed, 2 Bath, 3,366 Sq. Ft. 3 floors. I've seen this one. Needs minimal work and INSTANT ANTIQUE PALACE.




Here in Michigan, the housing bubble didn't burst. It had a screaming nuclear meltdown. Houses that would go for half a MILLION elsewhere are going for $100,000 OR LESS.

[krkaufman]

8. Point being, (sporto?) ...

... those are likely the prices in Owosso/Central Michigan because there are fewer jobs there. Those prices are still outside the range of *many* Americans -- resident in that locale.

(My hometown has some *fantastic* prices for houses, similar to what you've highlighted, relative to what's available in Chicago, but still pricey relative to the personal income opportunities in the area.)

edit: p.s. Good luck to those in my hometown or Owosso/Central Michigan finding a place to live should their job move to a metro area.

[Tyler Durden]

9. Now don't take that the wrong way.

And unfortunately, you are 100% right. This used to be a center for furniture, electronics, and auto parts...now it's a center for ZIP. The newest business to open its doors is a software company that makes Christian Based Software, including an Internet blocker.

I work about 20 miles outside of town for a Caterpillar supplier.

[gratuitous]

11. Or the renting folks

All those enormous mortgages for overpriced properties need to be made up somehow, and if the mortgagee isn't living in the house, he has to make his nut somewhere, and hello renters! So, while the housing market falls, prices come down, the houses still out there to be rented still go for $1,200 a month or more, and renters can live in shithole apartments or spend three quarters of their income just for housing.

[Hissyspit]

5. kick

[HughBeaumont]

10. It's Moonbat McWacky!

From the Conservative Jones characters.

http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=19791

Just goes to show - GOVERNMENT BAAAAAADD!! Except when we're warrin' or bailing out corporations BUH GAWD!

[Quantess]

12. Kicking....

:beer: