After years of hearing from real estate experts how the Fed puts the squeeze on the industry in down times, we decided to put the theory to the test and surveyed visitors to the site on the question. Interestingly, the jury was split on whether or not Capitol Hill was tougher on CRE than on other industries, with 50% voting yes and 50% voting no.

But that's not to say that the Fed has been any "kinder" to real estate players during the current downturn. While 74% say the government has not cut the industry any breaks, only 26% see a gentler attitude toward real estate.

Another contributor says it comes down to a matter of need. "If the Federal government needs to start borrowing money again," he says, "it will not help the real estate industry. This tax cut is already a fiasco."While environmental issues were the top sore point in real estate's relationship with Big Government, taxation came in second with 42% of the vote. Interstate property ownership and telecom provider access each garnered 3% of the vote.