There is always some fig leaf being used.

I've never turned over a fig leaf yet that didn't have a price tag on the other side.

This is a fig leaf. It's an attempt by the Chinese to do the least amount possible,

I've never turned over a fig leaf yet that didn't have a price tag on the other side.

Home ownership was the fig leaf for the rise in subprime lending. But that was really about cash-out refinancings, not buying homes.

The real defeatists today,