Concerning the subprime mortgage mess, Greenspan later admitted that "I really didn't get it until very late in 2005 and 2006."

But before you dismiss the topic as too boring or complicated, remember that lack of education is the reason that so many people are caught up in this mortgage mess.

JP Morgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon warned on Thursday that it would "take some time" to sort out the bank's mortgage mess as the Wall Street firm reported better than expected quarterly results.

Whereas a few years ago you could get a subprime loan without much trouble, the mortgage mess has led to a lot more caution in the way home loans are approved these days.

The mortgage mess, however, has a different look and feel.

I think the biggest mistake was not solving the mortgage mess - and it should have been done in a way that helped the home owners.

Who's to blame for the mortgage mess?

ON THE OTHER HAND - Slowing real estate sales coupled with the subprime mortgage mess are two of the reasons some people say a recession is nigh.

He insisted that the real culprit in the mortgage mess was the federal government.

James Surowiecki, Ryan Lizza, and Hendrik Hertzberg talk to Dorothy Wickenden about Detroit's woes, the mortgage mess, the continuing saga of Hillary Clinton, and how the financial crisis has given Obama an opening for a bold plan of action.