 should fannie and freddie go away  the taxpayers have already paid over 150 billion to keep fannie mae and freddie mac the governmentbacked mortgage giants from collapsing consequently as a means of shrinking the federal government many believe both companies should be phased out and the housing market taken over by the private sector but easier said than done a lack of consensus on the best way to achieve the goal and questioning if in fact it is the right thing to do while the housing market struggles in a poor economy jeopardizes legislation that would close the companies what other factors are playing into this politically sensitive issue get the details at  wwwmsnbcmsncom id 42751787 ns businesseyeontheeconomy  1  should fannie and freddie away  