This is a good article about why the MERS system helped to create our current foreclosure crisis.

MERS issues in Foreclosures continue..

Short Sales are obviously being pushed by the Lenders because they get to apply certain points as I understand it to their settlement agreements.  They would get more points for principle reductions, but they are choosing Short Sales instead.  I would guess because they don't have to encounter the issues presented in this article..who REALLY owns the notes?  I seethe Short Sale world continuingon as it is for another 24 months in my Palm Springs Valley of California.