Here is an interesting question and response posted in yahoo answers:

Every report I read on retail spending states that because of the housing crisis, retail sales will drop. There are hundreds of reports out there all pointing fingers at the industry for a number of economical woes. My retail sales were great before the housing market took other markets down with it. Couldn’t I sue the subprime lenders for damaging my area of the economy? Anyone want to represent me?

Sure. You can spend millions to become the laughing stock of your town.