In the case with Bernanke, changing the regulatory environment regarding the financial firms oversight and monetary powers.....is nothing more than how does the US want to see the losses that have already been incurred by both banks/investment banks large and small be realized and by whom.... The bottom line is that if the real estate equity loans are allowed to sour, then the result is going to be certain deflation in that prices cannot advance when the amount of money is just not there to bid on them.... So now it seems that policy or rather the end game is to hang the problem noose around the incoming politicians necks, whoever it turns out to be.... Utterly F'in amazing..... However not at all surprising......After all....this is the Bush/Cheney administration...... http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN2343593420080824 You know , the same two guys that brought the US a 500% increase in the cost of oil in 8 years. That's right.....When Bush started in office, one paid $1 for a $1 in oil......Now all US folks pay $5 for the same $1 in oil.... Mission accomplished.... It looks like the Greenspan Disease is going to be forwarded to the next batch of politicians.....