Hey, chumps: Why are you still paying your mortgages?
I can’t tell you how disgusted I am by the apathy over the Paulson/Bush/Pelosi/Reid wealth confiscation program in full swing. Every time I hear someone yammering on the radio or TV about Barack Obama’s plans to socialize this or that, I want to hurl.
The bank nationalization Trojan Horse was brought to you by a GOP administration.
Both presidential candidates have enshrined mortgage “rescues” and foreclosure prevention as primary government goals.
Both candidates supported the $25 billion automakers’ bailout. And now GM wants more.
The Democrat Congress and the GOP White House are pursuing home ownership/preservation at all costs.
I said back in January that the stigma of default was gone. Flashback:
The stigma of default is gone. Political rhetoric absolving borrowers of their responsibilities — and encouraging them to spend, spend, spend even more — has made it possible. And so has federal legislation intended to “help.” The omnibus spending bill passed last year prevents the IRS from taxing mortgage forgiveness as income up to $1 million for a two-year period.
Finance blog Calculated Risk reported last week that increasing numbers of homeowners are walking away from their homes by choice. A Wachovia executive noted during a conference call that they are “people that have otherwise had the capacity to pay, but have basically just decided not to because they feel like they’ve lost equity, value in their properties…” Some are bailing for cheaper homes in the same neighborhoods. There’s even a term that’s become popular over the last couple of years — “Jingle Mail” — that describes when homeowners cut loose and mail in the keys to the bank. Ho, ho, ho.
The true victims in this “crisis” are those who paid for homes within their means and those who waited to enter the housing market.
Eight months and trillions of dollars in mega-government bailouts later, my message is being reinforced. Peter Schiff, founder of Euro Pacific Capital, writes in the San Diego Union Tribune today. He rips the perverse incentives of the bailout orgy:
Just stop paying your mortgage
If you are a mortgage holder who is either struggling with crushing payments, bitter for having overpaid for your home during the bubble, or who has extravagantly refinanced when prices were rising, the government’s landmark $700 billion bailout package has an important message for you: stop making your mortgage payments . . . immediately. Furthermore, if you believe that with some planning and sacrifice you may be able to meet your mortgage obligations, the government’s message is clear: relax, don’t bother.
While angry voters have labeled the package as a bailout for Wall Street, it is more akin to a “Get out of Jail Free” card for anyone who acted irresponsibly during the boom. Here’s why.
Nobody likes foreclosure, least of all politicians. The new law clearly indicates that the government will make major efforts to reduce foreclosures through “term extensions, rate reductions and principal write-downs” of the troubled mortgages that it buys from the private sector. In other words, your new landlord will bend over backward to keep you in your home. The legislation telegraphs this by including a provision that extends until 2013 the exclusion of loan reductions from taxable income.
When a financial institution holds a mortgage, homeowners must live with the fear of foreclosure. Private institutions only have obligations to shareholders. In the case of a defaulting borrower, they will look to recover as much of their principal as possible. If foreclosure is their best option, they will take it in a heartbeat.
The government has no such obligations. Its only goal is to keep voters happy. After supposedly bailing out the fat cats on Wall Street, no politician wants to be accused of evicting struggling families. Once you understand this, all of your anxiety should melt away. Why pay your mortgage if foreclosure is off the table, and if you know that lower payments, and possibly a reduced loan amount, would result? A tarnished a credit rating is a small price to pay for such a benefit.
Unfortunately, this boon will not extend to those foolish individuals who either made large down payments or resisted the temptation of cashing out equity. The large amount of home equity built up by these suckers, I mean homeowners, means that in the case of default foreclosure remains a financially attractive option. As a result, these loans will be much less likely to be turned over to the government.
If your mortgage does become the property of Uncle Sam, the growingly popular impulse to “just walk away” should be replaced by “just stay and stop paying.” No one will throw you out. After a few months, or years, of living payment free, you will get a call from a motivated government agent eager to adjust your loan into something affordable.
To bolster your bargaining position it will help to be able to claim poverty. As a result, if you have any savings, spend it soon, before they call. Buy a bigger TV, a new wardrobe, or better yet, take a vacation. After the hardship of spending all of your refi cash, you probably deserve it. If you have any guilt just remember, Washington argues that consumer spending is the best way to stimulate the economy. Living beyond your means is a patriotic duty.
If you do get the opportunity to live for a while with no mortgage payment, don’t make the tragic mistake of using your extra cash to pay down your credit cards. As the growing level of credit card defaults will soon push credit card companies into bankruptcy, we can expect a similar bailout plan for American Express and Discover Financial. When that happens, expect massive balance reductions for Americans who can demonstrate the inability to pay. The bigger your balance, the greater the benefit.
Just walk away.
***
Related: The feds hold the socialism gun to the heads of responsible banks…
Smaller Banks Resist Federal Cash Infusions
Community banking executives around the country responded with anger yesterday to the Bush administration’s strategy of investing $250 billion in financial firms, saying they don’t need the money, resent the intrusion and feel it’s unfair to rescue companies from their own mistakes.
But regulators said some banks will be pressed to take the taxpayer dollars anyway. Others banks judged too sick to save will be allowed to fail.
The government also said yesterday that it will guarantee up to $1.4 trillion of private investment in banks. The combination of public and private investment is intended to refill coffers emptied by losses on real estate lending. With the additional money, the government expects, banks would be able to start making additional loans, boosting the economy.
President Bush, in introducing the plan, described the interventions as “limited and temporary.”
“These measures are not intended to take over the free market but to preserve it,” Bush said.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties praised the plan and scrambled to take credit for writing provisions into the law passed almost two weeks ago that allowed the government to switch from buying bad loans to buying ownership stakes in banks.
On Wall Street, bank stocks soared even as the broader market stayed flat while investors grappled with economic concerns. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 0.82 percent, or 76.62 points, to close at 9310.99 one day after its largest percentage gain in more than half a century.
And in offices around the country, bankers simmered.
Peter Fitzgerald, chairman of Chain Bridge Bank in McLean, said he was “much chagrined that we will be punished for behaving prudently by now having to face reckless competitors who all of a sudden are subsidized by the federal government.”
At Evergreen Federal Bank in Grants Pass, Ore., chief executive Brady Adams said he has more than 2,000 loans outstanding and only three borrowers behind on payments. “We don’t need a bailout, and if other banks had run their banks like we ran our bank, they wouldn’t have needed a bailout, either,” Adams said.
The opposition suggested that the government may have to continue to press banks to participate in the plan. The first $125 billion will be divided among nine of the largest U.S. banks, which were forced to accept the investment to help destigmatize the program in the eyes of other institutions.
In rolling out the program, Treasury said it would make the rest of the money available to banks that requested it. Officials said they expected thousands of banks to participate.
But both the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America said that they knew of few banks that planned to participate.
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And I got another offer for a Washington Mutual credit card just yesterday…
A friend of mine is emblematic of this “crisis.” He lives on disability income and never should have been given a mortgage, but the state of Michigan helped him get one anyway through a state program. He then used “equity” based on the housing bubble to renovate the home, buy a jet ski, and take a cruise. While I bought a house I could afford, kept my mortgage up, only used my equity line-of-credit to pay for necessary home repairs, and worked hard to stay employed. (He once called me and asked if he could use my frequent flier miles to take a vacation since “you never take vacations anyway.”)
So, last week, he calls me, his power’s being shut off, he has no money for groceries, and the state is cutting him off from the mortgage assistance program. So, I helped him pay his power bill, had a friend buy groceries for him, and sent a box of clothing to his kids.
Message: If you work hard and play by the rules, you’ll be forced to bail out those who did neither.
Sadly, O’Bummer supporters believe this.
If I did not fear God (something else people have lost), I would stop paying on my mortages. This guy is so right. Uncle Sam keeps people on the government teat with more and more programs.
I have some commercial property that I rent out or else I would walk away instead of making payments. It’s paying for itself as it is but to be able to get some of my tax money back wouldn’t be bad.
I can’t walk away from my conscience. It follows me everywhere I go.
I got one the same day WaMu went t-ts up and was bought out by Chase. I filled it in just for sh-ts and giggles.
Nobody cares because everyone has had it too good for too long.
Put me on that list too. Intrest free until Jan. 2010??? That’s what they offered me.
And to think my wife and I put 20% down on our home … how stupid we were.
No one ever seems to mention renters, who will be hammered by higher taxes to pay for the deadbeats’ follies.
Michelle should not post such things during my lunch hour. I am literally sick to my stomach.
We are SOOO screwed.
Wonderful article from the San Diego Union Tribune. Everyone should stop paying their mortgages. The market needs to crash and be rebuilt. Maybe then we won’t reward failure and greed.
I’ll mention my renters: The are a payday lending company raping the little man. They have no problem making rent.
Yes, save the United Autoworkers with their well above average pay, job killing work rules, job killing unemployment benefits, job killing retirement and job killing 100% health insurance.
And all the while Toyota, Nissan and the Germans are eating our lunch. Just Say NO? Is that impossible?
We paid off our mortgage many years ago–a set amount every month towards principal. I know some successful people who use their primary residence as a cash source. We used other means.
We were both taught thrift as children: my father was sometimes called MacNunez.
He did enjoy Scotch. Domestic of course.
—
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
Should be a convenience store
NOT a Government Agency
While there is some perverse pleasure in thinking about taking Peter Schiff’s advice, sarcastic though it may be, and there is definitely disgust and anger that our government is turning into a Socialists’ dream by bailing out the bums that, in another time, would be living in a flop-house instead of a mansion, I just can’t seem to lose that one character flaw that would allow me to take advantage of the situation.
Personal Responsibility.
Which in turn is driven by my patriotism; my belief in my country and my vow to do it no harm.
So while I fume and rage against the political rodents that have taken up refuge in our once clean and ‘relatively’ vermin-free government, I will continue to pay my mortgage on time, make my credit card payments, and refuse to buy those things that I know I can’t afford.
And deep down, and I mean really deep, where my soul rests, I’ll be happy and feel a sense of rightness that at least I have done the right thing.
I’ll try again: I’ll mention my renters. They are a payday lending company and they hit their customers hard on interest. Payback is a B!tch.
I’ve received several credit card solicitations over the last couple of weeks of course they go into the shredder immediately so much for my experience with the so called credit crunch. I do feel like a chump every time I sit down and write out the checks to pay on my mortgage and other debts, I hate being responsible for my own actions some times.
The nationalization of our banks by Commissar Paulson the People’s Minister of Finance has me really nervous now that he is going after banks that don’t even need his meddling. Sure the government’s involvement is only temporary just like welfare assistance along with other programs we are forced to pay for thanks to our political overlords. The Republic really did die on 3 Oct 08.
Welcome to the United Socialist States of America! We’re boned!
Why doesn’t the FedGov just cut to the chase and declare every mortgage paid off? If you’re going to go socialist, why be half-assed about it?
Plus, it’ll be a buying opportunity because those crackheads and gay prostitutes with their ACORN mortgages will happily sell their homes for shiny pennies.
2 blocked posts?
BO has said that banks accepting gov’t funds will need to allow defaulters to have a three month freebie. If homeowners are accepting gov’t funds, we the people should be allowed to stay at their place for 3 months. I hear Jose Canseco has a nice pad.
And there is the divide that can not be bridged. I believe the matter of character is learned quite young. Cowards, thieves and fools teach their children to be cowards, thieves and fools.
Local TV show cased a family with four generations in the Arizona Corrections System. Those not in prison are on mostly are on the dole. Sort of a pre-bailout plan.
Don’t Feed The Trolls.
—
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
Should be a convenience store
NOT a Government Agency
I have.
The one thing I would say though, is don’t give up and don’t assume everything is hopeless for fiscal conservatism in the future. It’s not dead, it’s just on hiatus.
For historical reference, look at Nixon’s presidency. Wage and price controls (an absolute anathema to any fiscal conservative) were implemented, welfare was expanded, and a host of other heresies to fiscal conservatism were implemented. It’s not difficult to argue that Nixon governed to the left of Clinton on fiscal matters. And barely more than 6 and a half years after Nixon left office, we inaugurated Ronald Reagan.
Never, ever give up, and never ever stop fighting for what you believe in.
i talked to a friend yesterday who paid off his mortgage a few months ago, and his credit score was lowered by 100 points. seems you aren’t very creditworthy unless you owe people. funny system, pay off your debts and lower your credit score.
the US gov will never be able to tax enough to pay back all the debt. the only thing they can do is print. get ready for massive inflation. that is after we are done deflating…
It isn’t working. I’m on pins and needles.
You will take this bailout, er, um rescue money and you will like it!
But 35 years later we are still paying for it. What about SCOTUS in the mean time?
Our house is so close to being paid off, you just know we would be the first one foreclosed on if we did stop paying. Not the guy who bought more house than he could afford (because hey, that house is mortgaged at 125% of its value), but someone like us, who has “too much” equity in the place. I feel like such a sucker.
Hmm. Wonder what would happen if we took out some unsecured credit and used it to pay off the mortgage, then refused to repay the debt?
To bolster your bargaining position it will help to be able to claim poverty. As a result, if you have any savings,
spend itCONVERT IT TO CONCEALABLE ASSETS.There. Let the gaming begin.
Every time these guys speak the market tanks. I paid off my mortgage years ago and would not of even thought about not doing it. What a difference the left has made in 40 short years to our nation.
Take your money out of the stock market, folks. (For those that haven’t.) Put it in a mattress and lock the doors for 4 years.
Govt purchasing shares in banks (some against their will) and then encouraging them to go out and lend again to a population awash in debt is a recipe for disaster.
Just when the consumer was beginning to figure out that there is no free ride, along comes Paulson, Bush, Pelosi and Barney Frank telling you not to worry. “Borrow more. Spend more. Heck, we are! Here’s another stimulus package we borrowed from the Chinese for you to go out and toss away.”
Damn, my mortgage check just cleared last night. Oh well, there is always next month…
I received an increase of my credit line on one of my credit cards last week. I didn’t ask for it. And let’s just say I do confess I don’t have “perfect” credit. I thought the market was not giving credit to people? hmmmm go figure!
As with others, my personal sense of integrity will not allow me to stop paying my debts.
I will vote against each of my representatives who voted for the bailout, and I will cash out of the market when it gets back to a certain level. Cash will be king in the socialism of the next four years.
MOney can only be created out of debt. its how fiat currency works. When the Gold Backing was taken out of the monetary system, we became shackled to the system.
I guess we can all quit being the “ants” and start being the “grasshoppers”. Why work, pay taxes and pay our bills on time? It’s seems more profitable to let the suckers who keep working, paying their taxes and paying their bills on time, to pay for us all.
Remember, according to Obama, the top 5% of the population will support us. And, if we pay no taxes, we’ll get a tax credit check to boot.
Thanks for linking Peter Schiff. I’ve been following Mr. Schiff for a couple years now. He has archived all of his TV appearances on FOX business, CNBC, CNN etc for the last 3 years. If you watch any of his videos from market highs in 2006 and 2007 he’s been predicting everything that’s happening right now with uncanny accuracy. He was almost universally scorned and laughed at for him positions. Glenn Beck has been having him on the show almost every night lately, so try and catch him there. Another interesting tidbit, Schiff worked as an economic adviser on a presidential campaign this year – which one? You got it – Ron Paul’s.
Check out this video of Schiff getting laughed at in 2006 while he speaks truth.
Boomer,
Do what I did. Write in big black letters, “NO THANKS” across the application and switch envelopes. Mail them out. They pay the postage and will stop sending them to you because of this tactic. It might take 6 months. We have not received an app in 5 years!
Photoshop suggestion:
A flag with the single word ‘Responsibility’, at half-mast.
We refinanced our house recently down to 5.5% 30 year fixed. We originally put 30% down.
Lately we have been canning and freezing our produce from our large garden and have a freezer full of beef from our own steer. It was not easy to do all of this as I have very little free time. The reason we did all of this is because we are responsible and will to the best of our ability never take any assistance from the government. Looking forward you could see this coming and we lost a lot of sweat preparing for this. It is in my nature to be honest and self reliant. No matter how many carrots they will dangle in my face, I will continue to do the right thing. At the end of the day, I will still have my pride and probably my house as well. To those I owe money to, I will continue to pay as there is no other alternative in my moral make up.
Exactly Feebiebabe exactly. And that ball started rolling in 1913 with the aid of just 3 sell-out senators signing it into law on Dec. 24….while everyone else was out on holiday….if I’m not mistaken. Now how does that happen?
From what I understand about that piece of legislation….we could get out of that and go back to the gold standard if we were to pay the banks just 1 billion dollars. I have also heard that JFK had mentioned doing this and returning our money to gold backing. Hmmmmmm. It’s quite possible that a .50 cent bullet took care of that idea…..but who knows.
As much as I think Ron Paul is a nut, there is one thing that is for sure, this man is perhaps the biggest advocate of for American citizens when it comes to the economy and taxes. He knows his stuff.
And the company then has to pay postage! If you don’t mail it, the company is not chatged postage. It is patriotic to generate revenue for the USPS!
Brass, lead and powder? For the well dressed work room.
Don’t Feed The Trolls.
—
ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
Should be a convenience store
NOT a Government Agency
I came into some money recently. I gave some to charity, a little for fun (i.e., a dinner out) but most of it wen to pay bills.
Silly me. I should have partied.
By the way – renters are getting screwed. Our rent went up $99 starting Oct. 1 to “offset increased costs of doing business.”
The first two statements above aren’t exactly news. I’ve watched for some time while Michelle has played “Don Quixote vs. the Windmill” with her “Suck It Up” campaign, knowing all the while how it’d end. She’s a 19th Century woman trapped in the 21st Century.
The American electorate rejected “rugged individualism” and laissez-faire Capitalism as economic underpinnings when it re-elected Franklin Roosevelt by a landslide in 1936. For better or worse, the new model became, and remains, one of government intervention in the economy.
The only relevant question remaining regards the extent of how far that intervention should go.
The American People as they are presently constituted expect the government to do something when things get rough economically. The rougher things get, the more they expect — indeed, demand — that the government take action. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is beside the point — it’s just the way things are today.
Michelle’s often fiery appeals for personal fiscal responsibility is tragic in one sense, because it’s like standing in a century-old graveyard and making an argument that might’ve been popular to those interred there, but won’t change anything in the here-and-now. In this sense, she falls into the trap that liberals so often do: seeing things as she’d like them to be, instead of dealing with the way things actually are.
Call it what you will, but the stimulus/bailout/rescue/crap sandwich was inevitable. The only worthwhile question was what form it would take. Realists would’ve spent their time trying to shape what was coming. Time-displaced idealists just keep futilely shouting “Stop!”
But there’s a bright side to all of this, in the longer term: everything eventually comes full circle. The present system of unfunded entitlements and government spending way beyond its means will eventually bring the whole system crashing down, and our descendants will have the opportunity to start all over. At that time, once quaint notions of personal responsibility may very well become fashionable again.
And here’s where those here with children come in: teach them to be responsible, self-reliant and dependable, and they — or their children — will be the ones who will have to be counted on to see that a Second American Republic emerges from the Second American Revolution.
Since the Republican Party was created, and had as it’s platform the abolishment of slavery, how could any right-thinking conservative support or condone this nonsense? When will we stop being politically correct, and start fighting for what’s right and just for America?
Is it time for a revolution in the Republican Party? I believe we need a new party…one based on freedom from socialism, led by Patriots who refuse to compromise conservative values and standards. Perhaps a New Patriot Party…?
Even my daughters a starting the think this way.
right_on said:
We have a revolution in the Republican Party now. The repubs will see that at the polls and perhaps by 2012 they will have learned their lesson. I hope for that, but I doubt it. It seems they are hell-bent on out lefting the leftists.
LGM was so eager to talk about the economy….. where is he?
Amen brother. I am so disgusted with our gov’t rihgt now. Then to see them all trying to take credit for this socialist grab just tells me how far down the gutter our pols have slinked. My wife and I work hard and save. Most of our friends take 2 or 3 expensive vacations a year, have enormous credit card debt, and one layoff away from disaster. We, on the other hand, take a vacation once every 5 years, if that, have no credit card debt and have a good emergency cash resevere (oh yea, we foolishly put 20% down on our house and a 15 year mortgage). I have just about decided to start spending like crazy. What’s the point of saving if the gov’t is simply goign to devalue those savings through printing more $. Sigh! It is our nature to conserve and plan ahead. At one point in history that was a desireable characteristic. But today, our gov’t rewards the grasshoppers, not the ants.
This line nearly knocked me off my chair. Since when has ANYTHING that the feds done been either “limited” or “temporary”?
We need to throw all the bums out and start over. God help us if Obama gets elected.
As for everyone being able to own their own home I think that’s a nice gesture (if they can afford a home) but why were they talked into $200,000+ homes when they might have been able to afford a Habitat Home or a trailer or manufactured home? All these geniuses in our government are actually pretty stupid getting us into this mess! All it takes is common sense.
GOP are no longer conservatives.
…and get ready for the next big crap-hoagie:
Social Security.
I did notice Obama’s ad saying that if Bush had privitized SS then you’d all be in the hole what with the stock market crashing etc. As if the gov had all the SS funds safely socked away for our retirement.
So instead you’ll get your SS check paid with dollars that can’t buy anything.
San Diego, San Diego, hmmmm, where have I heard that before – oh yeah Duncan Hunter! Uh-huh, and we end up with McCain…
Hey cheapskate, why do you not want me to have a multi-million dollar home? Just because I can’t afford it? That’s sooo 20th century.
/sarc
btw, $200,000 in Hawaii would buy a garage, but not the land it’s on.
This would really make a good comedic screen play.
The problems is, it’s all too real and not funny.
Like many others have said, personal integrity trumps taking advantage of the situation — it just makes us mad that a Republican (!) president could do this to the country. Talk about a legacy.
have I told you how good you’re looking?
its difficult to overcmoe the indoctrination of the public schools and universities…
I am being inundated with letters and phone calls urging me to borrow against my house and credit cards.
Why the fed change from buying loans to buying banks? All I can figure out is that the government has finally realized it needs to control the banks themselves to force them to lend to people who can’t pay in order to blow another bubble. The day of financial reckoning is going to be horrible.
At the new duty station if you take a base house you lose your housing allowance. If you buy another house you have another mortgage to pay. You (we) can’t win.
My mother sold her home recently. I am paying off my mortgage with commercial lender and financing my home through my mother on a private contract.
She gets an interest income at a rate she could not expect to get for a non-security investment and I do not have to ever worry about the Feds being my banker on my home loan.
AND I have an even bigger incentive to pay on time. Forget defaulting! My mother told me, if I missed any payments she would just move in and live with us.
Apparently the Repuks did not learn a thing after ’06, why would they learn after a loss in ’08?
I wonder if it’s too ‘Michelle Obama’ to say for the first time I’m NOT proud of this country?
Actually John – I think rape by definition is “against one’s will” – every one of the little people you refer to willingly went in there.
Because they will lose the presidency – and possibly even lose the ability to filibuster. After ’06 they still had power, after ’08 they could have none.
California registered an earthquake measured at 7.0 on the richter scale, it was centered right above Ronald Reagan’s grave, they think it was caused by all the ‘turning over’ he’s had to do lately.
Remember what’s inscribed on his tomb:
“I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life.”
my interpretation?….What goes around comes around.
Even liberal politicians seem to understand that if you subsidize Ethanol you’ll get more of it. Or, if you subsidize ACORN fraud, you’ll get more of it. So why don’t Republican politicians understand this concept?
If you subsidize stupidity, you’ll get more of it. If you reward failure, you’ll get more failure. It’s a simple concept. Only those with Ivy league degrees seem to have a problem understanding it.
Liberals support the bailout because they WANT more failure. They can only win when the country is hurting. But why do supposed Conservatives want to subsidize failure? Why don’t they want to reward success and thereby get more of it?
My point exactly, they did not learn in ’06, showed no signs of understanding why they lost. Drifting to the center and losing base votes is not working so well…but attempting it again with McShame
Ahhh…but wealth (different than money) is created by investment (money, ideas and/or labor).
I know I’ve forgotten a few other items for how wealth is CREATED (not just moved from one pocket to another) – I just can’t think of them right this moment.
The Democratic Party isn’t what it used to be back in the days of John Kennedy and the Republican party isn’t what it used to be back in the days of Ronald Reagan.
We don’t have a conservative party. And for those who think that we are having a ‘conservative’ revolution in the GOP – just look at the current nominee for president.
That goes without saying, Michelle. Kudos to you for being on top of this crisis from the start.
—
Don’t Feed The Trolls-ignore them.
Lame duck sighting! So what are you saying, Michelle—that we’re plucked? That people are turkeys for being responsible? Our gooses are cooked? Why has our government flown the coop on its people? Is this a deal most fow—okay, I’ll stop.
To me, this is a largely unspoken point that needs to be stressed. “Woe to the many for the sake of the few” holds weight for more than just individuals and families. The bailout bonanza is an assault on free-market society. If the bumbling masses get it, our elected representatives should, too.
B’gawk!
Ha. I said “gooses.”
Yep, plucking time.
I wasn’t trying to feed him, after LGM demanding discussion on the economy 1000 times I was calling him on it. He declined to do the very thing he demanded we do. I was exposing him.
I feel like I have no one to vote for. How does Bob Barr look?
The 25 Billion Auto INdustry giveaway is simply going to go to the unions.
This lifeline will do nothing to shore up the auto industry.
I am a life long lover of Chevrolet. I think they make great cars and trucks. But the union, aided by a liberal philosophy in management has drained that once great company to near extinction.
No more money to the auto industry.
Let see how well Nissan and Toyota and the rest do when the unions try to destroy their companys
Man oh man. Please Mrs. Malkin, tell me this is not true.
I pay my mortgage and my other bills because I undertook the obligation to do so. It’s something that the Wall Streeters, the bailouters, and the ACORNholers wouldn’t understand; it’s called “Duty. Honor. Country.” I’ll stop driving my new truck altogether or sell it if I must and just ride my 100 MPG motorscooter or ride my bicycle to work before I fail to pay a just debt.
Chumps are people who are foolish and whine about getting fooled.
ECS
So, he’s too disabled to work, but he can ride a jet ski?
John Ansell,
the last sentence reads:
“A San Francisco judge approved the preliminary deal last week. Under the agreement, each bracero is eligible for about $3,500 from the Mexican government.”
The money comes from the Mexican government, not the U.S.
Perhaps I should have said a revolution amongst the base…not the party…the party is over.
That seems to be the gov’t motto these days. Look at voter ID. What seems to be common sense is not enacted because 20 people might be “disenfranchised”. Or common sense measures to control illegal immigraiton are pushed aside because potentially 1% of the population might be impacted negatively. Almost every decision we make is now based on using the exception rather than the rule. All these measures would benefit the majority and our country, but common sense takes a back seat to PC. As I have said before, our system of gov’t has become “rule by the majority for the benefit of the minority”.
And people wonder how we got to this point, a choice between Obama or McCain, a socialist or a moderate socialist? Ever since Reagan, the Republicans, specifically the “conservative” branch of the party, has sold its soul in order to save what little they have left in terms of representation by the Republican candidates. “Conservatives” have been weak-minded, short-sighted, and, frankly, cowardly in regards to standing up for their beliefs. “Conservatives” (I have a hard time finding the meaning of the term anymore- even McCain claims to be one) have done themselves no favors by consistently voting for the “lesser of two evils” in the past 5 elections. We wonder why McCain won’t listen to the “base”? Have you ever thought that he realizes, with good reason, that he doesn’t have to do so? Why should he? He already has your vote. What else does he need from you? So what, you’re pissed off? Why should he care if you’re pissed off if he still gets your vote? “Conservatives” have been weak in not demanding that Republican candidates stand for their principles or else they won’t vote for them. “Conservatives” have lacked any vision by thinking that things would somehow get better by continually giving their blind support to those who don’t support their ideals. “Conservatives” have been cowardly by fearing the loss of what little they have in terms of political representation have rather than trying to win.
So this election day, whether anyone else stands with me or not, I’m doing my part to say “That is the last straw” to the Republican party by voting for a third party candidate. Some may say, “oh, well you’re giving your vote to Obama.” No, my vote is going to someone who shares my ideals, something of which neither Obama nor McCain have any apparent understanding.
Great message to conservatives who have been hoodwinked into voting Republican while Republicans become Democrats and Democrats become even more rabid socialist nutbags:
Just walk away.
KEYES/ROHRBOUGH ’08
RWR
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