Hey, @bashadow.

We're at an interesting point in history, certainly. As I said, I'm more of the messenger with the contrarian news that Happy Days are here again shouldn't be the mantra. When it happens, how it happens, if we can escape somehow—who knows. As far as the U.S. goes, I think we take a bigger hit just because we're also the reserve currency of the world.

Those who were hoping to sell their properties at higher prices will need to do that sooner than later. That's where the losses come in.

re: loans

From what I gather, people with just their home don't need to worry so much. If the home gets devalued, Dent's thinking the banks will have to mark to market this time, so loans might actually get cut to whatever the market value ends up at. Didn't happen last time, but again, as I said, he's more positive about the fallout than I am.

re: refugee status

Wouldn't that be a massive turnaround in world affairs.

re: optimist

To some people, I probably look like a pessimist, and to others, and optimist, because I think I'm somewhere in between, trying to figure out what's what so I can navigate it.