Peter your new book is called hidden in plain sight. You remember the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission investigating the cause of the 2,072,008 financial crisis not only democrats but also from the republican appointees what did you see that they didnt . The housing system in the United States fannie mae and freddie mac for quite a while before a lot of background of what has been happening in the housing sector. I was looking for the commission to look into what happened with fannie mae and freddie mac what role they couldve played in the housing crisis and i found the commission was not interested in that. They would not look at it to the degree that i tried to interest them and given all kinds of signals that is not something they would do but my differences with the republicans came from the fact that my view our responsibility on the commission was to make sure the American People understood what happened in the crisis and i was outside the partisan differences between the repu
[inaudible conversations] good afternoon. And welcome to our book forum here at the Cato Institute today for a republic no more Big Government and the rise of american political corruption by jay cost. I am john samples, Vice President and publisher here at the Cato Institute. And i again would like to welcome you to this event today for this very important book. Now, if you have been to book forums before youll notice today our event will proceed in many ways the same as all other book forums have that is, you will hear from some participants and then there will be a question and answer session about 1 00 and then lunch. Also one other thing is like all of our other events please turn all your cell phones now so that we can have the event both in peace and quiet. But some things are going to be different today. Were trying some different things, different format. In this particular case our author, jay cost, will speak for a while about the book to give you a general sense of the lay
Caller hidden in plain sight what really caused the worlds worst financial crisis and why it could happen again you are a member of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission that was investigating the cause of the 0708 crisis. What did you see that the republican and democratics didnt see . I was looking at the housing situation and fanny may and freddy mack for a while before getting on the commission so i had a background on what happened in the housing sector. I was looking for the commissioner to look into what happened with fanny mae and fredie mack and their role. I found the commissioner was interesting in that and wouldnt look at it. To the degree i tried to interest them i was told i was given all kinds of signals that wasnt something i would do. With the other republicans, my view was that our responsibility on the commission was to make sure that the American People understood what happened in the crisis. That i was outside, i thought of the partisan differences between the re
Every weekend, booktv offers programming focused on nonfiction authors and books. Keep watching for more here on cspan2. And watch any of our past programs online at booktv. Org. Book of continues with after words. This week peter wallisson discusses his book hidden in plain sight. He argues that Government Housing policies caused the 2008 financial crisis. He is in conversation with the deputy Global Economics editor at the wall street journal. Host peter, you new book is called hidden in plane sight what really caused the world financial crisis and why it could happen again. You were a member on the Inquiry Commission which was investigating the cause of the 0708 crisis you. Dissented not only from the democrats on the committee but also from the republican appointees. What did you see they didnt . Guest i had been looking at the housing system in the United States, and doddfrank and well, im sorry fannie mae and freddie mac for quite a while before i got on the commission. So i had
Powerful interests . We are going to be concluded by reading just two sentences from the book. I have explained that historical or geographical burdens are not fate. They are not destiny. They are reasons for action. It is our job to understand how the end of poverty can be achieved and then act to make it happen. Jeff, thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] him booktv continues now with after words. This week Peter Wallison a fellow at the American Enterprise institute discusses his book, hidden in plain sight. In the book mr. Wallison argues that Government Housing policies caused the 2008 financial crisis. He is in conversation with sudeep reddy deputy Global Economics editor at the wall street journal. Host Peter Wallison your new book is called hidden in plain sight what really caused the worlds worst financial crisis and why it could happen again. You are a member of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission which was investigating the causes of the 07 08 financial crisis.