RRoadrunner's Comments (1026)

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We don't all get the same ads.
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“I agree with you that corporate interests buying the services of our representatives with campaign donations is a big part of the problem we face. It is at the very least unethical and it should be a crime that leads to jail time for both lobbyist and the representative.

Publically financed campaigns can and probably should be done at the state level. This affects both members of the House and Senate as well as state legislators.

Term limits can be imposed by the voters who get a chance at that every two years. Other than preventing a district from reelecting someone they are happy with, I just don't get what the idea of term limits is supposed to accomplish.”

“We purchased our home at what was then a fair price for the market. It's not a big, flashy mansion, just a nice suburban home in a nice, safe neighborhood. It was the home we'd dreamed of and the home we wanted (and still want) to live in for the rest of our lives.

I put 20% down. But even with both of us working, the only loan that would give us affordable payments for our modest home was an interest only ARM, fixed for 7 years. Of course, we'd pay extra each month towards the principal where we could and we could always refinance when the rate adjustment came around. Banker, real estate salesperson, mortgage broker, escrow agent, everybody told us what a great deal this was. I'd bought and sold my previous residences, so I had a passing familiarity with the real estate market and it did indeed appear at the time to be a very good deal.

Four years later, home prices have now declined a ridiculous 30% in our area. To say we're underwater is an understatement. On top of that, my wife is now unemployed through no fault of her own.

What, pray tell, did we do wrong? We weren't greedy, or overreaching or out to make a quick buck. We were just living the American Dream.”

“The banks don't seem to have to live with their gambles. They won't loan money either to help the economy turn around.”

“The reality is the bailout for homeowners isnt an actual bailout. It is just readjustment of their loans to make them more affordable in the long run. We modified our loan through the Obama plan, but there is no principle reduction. We have to pay every single penny back, and we are more than okay with that because we want to stay in our home. There is the assumption out there people are looking for a bailout or 'handout'. If more homeowners were approved for the Obama plan, we would see less foreclosures which effects everyone's home values. I live in Las Vegas and bought right before everything tanked. Would we if we thought this would happen? No. But it did so instead of becoming a statistic, we are going to ride it out because this town will recover, bounce back and eventually we will see some equity. It's better than the alternative of just walking away. People need to see this situation from all sides. It isnt just sub-prime borrowers being hurt by. Unemployment is now a driving force and this town is bleeding from unemployment.”

“It doesn't sound harsh at all. Too many folks bought property with nothing down and many took those loans where they were paying INTEREST only, no principle every month. What were they thinking? Worse yet, why were banking/mortgage operators allowed to offer trash deals like this. The sad part is that those of us who took fixed rates, money down on our homes, are caught in this nightmare of decreasing valuation of homes. It will take many years for a recovery in housing. Many folks will never own a home because of this stupidity. The problem with America is that everyone is looking for a "fast buck"...mortgage yourself to the hilt and think you are going to "flip a house" every two years and get more money. It was like a giant Ponzi scheme...the last guys holding these tainted mortgages were the big losers and the people who got in first and out early were the winners. Our society is so mobile though as folks oftentimes have to move to stay employed. Many now have an albatross around their necks.”

“Term limits solved nothing here in California. They're antidemocratic and if they are a good policy someone will have to show me how.”

“I think you were trying to be funny, but it's important to point out that Jihad does NOT mean "holy war." Jihad means struggle. It's quite interesting people act as if they know what it means when they have no idea.”

“Nice post.”

“Wait. Who wants to hang out with her??? Maybe the "gals" who identify themselves as such....doesn't include any females I know.”

“What could be worse? A Glenn Beck/Sarah Palin ticket.”

“Many high profile liberals have made that promise over the years. They never follow through.”

“Ditto. Glad I can watch it as early as 6:00 pm here on the west coast but damn, four freaking months is a long time.”

“There are only 24 hours in a day. He needs advice to make rapid decisions and needs to put his trust that those around him are doing the right thing.”

“So you're saying someone basicaIIy heId a gun to his head, then? Meaning he has no power at all?”

“Come on, he's not smart enough to not succumb to those snakes according to your theory. This was a well thought out decision.”