I think there is a lot of blame. The people bought the house believing that the lenders/agents were believable when they said that in a couple of years things could be dealt with. I gather that they could do the original payments but when interest rates went up they got into trouble.

If Countrywide was leading them along (and I admit to being perfectly willing to believe that) then they are at fault, the people could have tried to sell their house at the beginning of the market bust if they had known that they couldn't adjust the mortgage.

I also agree that fixed income people who have to sell their (often paid off) house because they can't pay the taxes are a true tragedy. The Beebe Ranch (Misty of Chincoteague) had a lot of it sold off for that very reason, the condos moved in next door and land value soared and social security didn't cover the new taxes.

I also HATE when a family who has a farm (esp. if it has been in the family for years) and developers move in on either side, values go up (and complaints from yuppies who want the pastoral scene but can't take the fact that once a year the calves get weaned and it gets noisy or whatever) and force the farmer (who was there first) out. Same with riding easements which get blocked by fences. Hmm, better get off the soapbox.