What were/was/are/is the main causes of the economic situations?

Question by Jimmy H: What were/was/are/is the main causes of the economic situations?
I use those 4 terms because are the problems current day? Are they singular? There is the whole idea that if you get to the root of a problem, you can fix it. Is that applicable in this situation?
Also, does the stock market play any role?
While I’m here. Many people say “invest in gold/ silver.” Does that translate to just buy it, or how else do you invest in it?

Best answer:

Answer by Hereese
over speculation
sub prime loans
housing market, which is connected to sub prime loans

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