Why are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both government-sponsored and backed by taxpayer dollars, still publicly traded? The national discussion of the mortgage mess must consider the inherent conflict that exists when Fannie and Freddie serve two masters -- its shareholders and the American people.
Owning stock in Fannie and Freddie was a brilliant investment strategy from a shareholder perspective -- buy stock in a quasi-government agency that serves a captive consumer base, dependent on that same agency to provide...
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