Predatory Lenders' Partner in Crime How the Bush Administration Stopped the States From Stepping In to Help Consumers washingtonpost.com readers have posted 267 comments about this item. Comments are closed for this item. By Eliot Spitzer Thursday, February 14, 2008; Page A25 Even though predatory lending was becoming a national problem, the Bush administration looked the other way and did nothing to protect American homeowners. In fact, the government chose instead to align itself with the banks that were victimizing consumers.