The IMF isn&#x27;t the most effective org, but it&#x27;s a bit hyperbolic to compare it to a predatory loan shark. Sure, it follows the agenda of the largest contributors (US, Germany, France) but I think it&#x27;s a bit of a stretch to say that its ultimate goal is to transfer meager resources from Burkina Faso and Yemen to more developed nations. In fact, it&#x27;s a good thing that they are as strict as they are with loan terms. The IMF&#x27;s biggest existential threat is to be seen as a weak creditor by setting bad precedents and losing a lot on loans. See the Fed for an example of setting a terrible bailout precedent.<p>I agree that America has not put the debt crisis behind it. QE liquidity continues to prop up the stock and housing markets. Good news is that there won&#x27;t be a crash because there&#x27;s enough money out there to justify high paper valuations, and the Fed will provide more if necessary.