Yahoo - "AP IMPACT: How Freddie Mac halted regulatory drive" (12-7-08)

"Internal Freddie Mac budget records show $11.7 million was paid to 52 outside lobbyists and consultants in 2006. Power brokers such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich were recruited with six-figure contracts."

The San Diego Union Tribune - "Mortgage 'fix' not helpful to troubled homeowners" (12-7-08)

"Under the Treasury's latest proposal, the government would invest tens of billions of dollars to help lower the interest rate on 30-year mortgages to just 4.5 percent, which would be the lowest rate since the early 1960s. "

Seeking Alpha - "Housing Price Corrections in the Bay Area" (12-7-08)

"Knowing that housing prices in Stockton and Santa Rosa have been on the decline for about twice as long as Alameda and San Francisco, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that they’ve also fallen much further from peak levels to current (as of Nov’08). Indeed, Santa Rosa and Stockton have fallen 44% and 59% respectively, while Alameda and San Francisco “only” 18% to 24% - and many neighborhoods in the heart of San Francisco have fallen much less or even posted modest increases."

MSNBC - Unemployment Rate Mape for September 07 through October 08