In response to w1ld's post, "Jim Cramer Blows a Head Gasket", Decius asked:

Why didn't he blow a head gasket a couple years ago when this bubble started?

In a word: self-interest.

Here is why:

Until a few weeks ago, life on Wall Street was as good as it gets, with a nearly 5-year-old bull market, takeover deals galore, record profits and jaw-dropping bonuses. America's financial princes once again lived up to their image as Masters of the Universe.

But after a market upheaval that has hit like a bad case of whiplash, the fear on the Street is that the good times are coming to an abrupt halt.

You heard Cramer calling for the Fed to "relieve the pressure" ...

Some of these firms have been stuck with billions of dollars in risky debt used to finance corporate buyouts because investors have been unwilling to assume the loans.

... what he really wants is for investors to start buying these loans again, so that the firms who find them so profitable can keep selling them.

Coming back to the "why not three years ago" question for a bit of reflection:

The financial industry has endured many a bust following a boom, but today's looming troubles stand out because Wall Street was doing so well and the reversal was so quick.

"There are people who have gotten used to the lifestyle that comes along with the boom years, and some of those people are going to be in for a rude awakening."