[fortunecookie]

It is our own bloated internal cost structure, coupled with excess predatory litigation, that is causing us to be less competitive.

This says it all. It's so true. Housing around here isn't so high, but there is a glut of overpriced houses on the market with people desparate to sell because of relocation. That bubble is close to bursting. Thanks at least in part to the litigation issues bloated costs, cost of living increases are far outpacing any incomes and raises.

[snowsislander]

This says it all. It's so true. Housing around here isn't so high, but there is a glut of overpriced houses on the market with people desparate to sell because of relocation. That bubble is close to bursting. Thanks at least in part to the litigation issues bloated costs, cost of living increases are far outpacing any incomes and raises.

It is also my sense is that the bubble is teetering. Anecdotally, I know a couple that have had a home on the market for 7 months, trying to get back what they paid so they can move up to another house.

However, the history of bubbles is that there are bobbles in the bubbles before the big burst -- John Law's Mississippi bubble, for instance, survived more crises than anyone reasonable person would have guessed.