I wonder if we could collectively push the funds to divest from closed book financial companies

If we don't, there just won't be a market, anymore.

I stopped telling colleagues to "invest at least 10%" and "at least get the 401k match, it's free money" about three years ago.

After this bubble bursts, I'm honestly not even sure the concept of 401ks will survive.

The future of common people's investing is very possibly only in gold chains and under mattresses.

You're correct from my assessment. It has always been kicking the can down the road. Eventually the bill comes due. Realistically the sooner the better, but we live in crazy corruption, so it only crashes when retail investors and the common folk hold the bag and not a second sooner.

Bailouts have not been the worst thing. The lack of stipulations and not marching the c-suite through the streets in rags needs to be fixed, but overall it's even money for the fed that keeps people working - https://projects.propublica.org/bailout/list I am a big puzzled why several extremely profitable companies are still in the red. Seems like the feds should just take the money with a hefty fee for making them wait.