The outpouring of emotion was great and for a considerable cause - 'Please Mr. Bernacke, reduce the interest rates so people can keep their homes'. However there are two sides to every story and reasons both positive and negative for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates well enough alone. The opposing side states 'it is not the government's position to bailout investors, but to maintain the economy'.

Pros of a reduction in Interest Rates:

• Some will be able to afford their homes if interest rates are reduced, most likely by 1% or more
• Investors that have holdings that include sub-prime loans will regain some of their losses
• The housing market will improve because more buyers can afford a home loan

Cons of a reduction in Interest Rates:

• It is not a panacea, many that are in foreclosure are in because their original loans were at a teaser rate that would eventually go up and the borrower was in no position to pay the higher loan amount (when you think about it they were speculators)
• Inflation may rise because lower interest rates spur more spending
• It disrupts the capital market system by propping up something that should have fallen

If we are really serious about saving people from foreclosure than the lenders that were originally involved should change the terms of their loans to help those that just cannot make their new payments. This may involve changing interest rates or the length of the loan. However, how do you adjust for the number of individuals that took on more than they could afford by borrowing 125% of the property value?

I have sympathy for the person that loses a job and must sell their home to move elsewhere, I have little sympathy for the person that took on a home loan that they could not afford, or is unwilling to reduce their lifestyle in order to keep their home.

The lending industry was responsible for making the loans and made billions in the process should be stepping up to the plate to repair their mistakes - not the government. The government should make it difficult for this bubble to occur again. To point fingers fairly, are any real estate organizations joining forces to help bailout people from their mortgage worries? We made billions in the run up too!