Sure. You can get a mortgage for 300 times your gross income, if that is what you want to do. That is why this subject is under "Predatory Lending". Predatory Lending is not just about a higher interest rate. Often when people do not know that 28% to 33% of their gross income is "normal" for a housing payment, they do not realize that 50% may be too much to spend on a housing payment.

Qualifying ratios are not carved in stone, they are a guideline based on sound principles.

My caution is this. If you are getting a mortgage that puts your payment in excess of 33% of your gross income, make sure you know beforehand that you are passing the "norm". If you go over 40% don't be surprised later if you have to live on hot dogs or you have to go to your Mom's for dinner every night.