September 29, 2008 3:32PM 

# Intervention Is Not the Answer 

By [Daniel J. Mitchell](https://www.cato.org/people/daniel-mitchell) 

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The current turmoil in financial markets is the result of bad government policy, particularly easy-money policy by the Federal Reserve and unsustainable subsidies to housing by Fannie and Freddie.

The bailout did not address these problems. Instead, it sought to compound the problem by increasing government intervention.

Ideally, politicians now will shift gears and seek to reduce government barriers to economic revitalization. Unfortunately, the political insiders from both parties almost surely will close ranks and seek cosmetic changes in hopes of ramming the bailout through Congress.

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics) 

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