As one of those responsible, bill-paying, homeowners(payed off the mortgage 12 yrs ago), I'm grateful that I didn't run into one of these sleezy mortgage brokers 32 yrs ago.
The people who got sucked into these sub-prime mortgages were, for the most part, just trying to buy into the American dream of home ownership. The brokers who sold them these mortgages are, IMHO, a bunch of con men. As they then sold off these sub-prime mortgages to the financial genuses of Wall Street as investment grade securities, the financially ignorant first time home buyers didn't stand a chance.
Yes, they are the victims who got hit first and hardest. Because we failed to protect those least able to protect themselves from predatory lenders, you and I are victims too.
Man's first question to God as recorded in scripture was asked by Cain. "Am I my brother's keeper?" I was taught early on that God's reaction to Cain's question represented a very loud and unqualified YES!
As for your request that I supply you with a list of economist; do your own grunt work.