following is a copy of a link to an article by peter eavis appearing in the september 18, 2009 on-line edition of the wall street journal on the subject of the extent of the federal government's participation in the majority of real estate mortgage loans currently being originated.  it would seem that even if you are a renter, you are an implicit homeowner by virtue of the government life support system for residential real estate mortgages.  the last two paragraphs are especially revealing.  kinda reminds me of the television cereal commercial featuring mickey where when faced with a new breakfast cereal his siblings propose " let mikey try it, he'll try anything!"  in the current economic environment, including the residential real estate mortgage market, the reigning mantra seems to be "let uncle sam buy it, he'll buy anything!"