Who is responsible for the current dismal financial situation? For my part, I blame the Republicans who controlled Congress for so many years, and spent like drunken sailors, while giving tax cuts to the well-off. At the same time they passed legislation that led to less vigilance by regulators. How can you excuse Bernie Madoff getting away for what he did for so long? Anyway, Time Magazine has an extensive list of guilty parties and it makes for interesting reading.