Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth. An estimated 15 million U.S. mortgages – one in five – are underwater with negative equity of some $800 billion. Recall that on Christmas Eve 2009, the Treasury Department waived a $400 billion limit on financial assistance to Fannie and Freddie, pledging unlimited help. The actual vehicle for the bailout could be the Bush-era Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, a sister program to Obama’s loan modification effort. HARP was just extended through June 30, 2011.
The move, if it happens, would be a stunning political and economic bombshell less than 100 days before a midterm election in which Democrats are currently expected to suffer massive, if not historic losses. The key date to watch is August 17 when the Treasury Department holds a much-hyped meeting on the future of Fannie and Freddie.
Yes, BrooklynCouch… You’re ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! There is nothing mutually beneficial about our relationship with Europe! Not in terms of defense. Not economically. Not in any way. We should cut all ties with Europe, they’re just a bunch of leaches draining all the good stuff out of us.
tyburg, I agree. Just because (in context of this thread) I was pointing out things in Europe that are demonstrably superior to here, does not mean there’s not much in the US to be proud of. To say otherwise is to be refuge-of-the-scoundrels “patriotic”.
Why is this topic always couched in black-and-white terms?! Why can’t there be positives and negatives to both the U.S.A. and Europe?
X in Europe is better… we should try to model ourselves on that.
Y in the U.S.A. is better… we should fight to maintain/grow that.
Right?
For example, I think our Constitutional Common Law system is superior to the continental European codified civil law.
However, I think that the European approach to social services and public infrastructure (including roads, transportation, communication, etc.) is better.
Of course both examples above have negative aspects. Right? It’s not black-and-white. Man o’ man.
>Think Benson / donatella’s question is totally reasonable, given that you love (some idea of) Europe so much and disparage the US.
F&(ing stupid comment. Worthy of rob at his best. So just because I FACTUALLY state what’s better in Europe it means I should move there? Boy I thought the right-wingism on this site was confined to denigrating gay marriage and supporting lower taxes, but I see some of us can be terminally jingoistic as well. Good to see the real person unmasked.
etson,take a comprehension class. It’s your comment that I deemed stupid. As for the rest….
ANYONE SEEN THIS???????????????
http://blogs.reuters.com/drudge.html
Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth. An estimated 15 million U.S. mortgages – one in five – are underwater with negative equity of some $800 billion. Recall that on Christmas Eve 2009, the Treasury Department waived a $400 billion limit on financial assistance to Fannie and Freddie, pledging unlimited help. The actual vehicle for the bailout could be the Bush-era Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, a sister program to Obama’s loan modification effort. HARP was just extended through June 30, 2011.
The move, if it happens, would be a stunning political and economic bombshell less than 100 days before a midterm election in which Democrats are currently expected to suffer massive, if not historic losses. The key date to watch is August 17 when the Treasury Department holds a much-hyped meeting on the future of Fannie and Freddie.
Yes, BrooklynCouch… You’re ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! There is nothing mutually beneficial about our relationship with Europe! Not in terms of defense. Not economically. Not in any way. We should cut all ties with Europe, they’re just a bunch of leaches draining all the good stuff out of us.
Looks decent, 11217.
Garfield Re have one on that block for slightly more $$ that I think is a bit more renovated as well.
tyburg, I agree. Just because (in context of this thread) I was pointing out things in Europe that are demonstrably superior to here, does not mean there’s not much in the US to be proud of. To say otherwise is to be refuge-of-the-scoundrels “patriotic”.
You mean mean such verifiable facts as ‘kinder’ and ‘gentler’?
Three people, none of whom is stupid, thought the same thing, cmu.
Why is this topic always couched in black-and-white terms?! Why can’t there be positives and negatives to both the U.S.A. and Europe?
X in Europe is better… we should try to model ourselves on that.
Y in the U.S.A. is better… we should fight to maintain/grow that.
Right?
For example, I think our Constitutional Common Law system is superior to the continental European codified civil law.
However, I think that the European approach to social services and public infrastructure (including roads, transportation, communication, etc.) is better.
Of course both examples above have negative aspects. Right? It’s not black-and-white. Man o’ man.
Cute looking, reasonably priced house if anyone is looking…
http://www.bhsbrooklyn.com/detail.asp?id=1145403
>Think Benson / donatella’s question is totally reasonable, given that you love (some idea of) Europe so much and disparage the US.
F&(ing stupid comment. Worthy of rob at his best. So just because I FACTUALLY state what’s better in Europe it means I should move there? Boy I thought the right-wingism on this site was confined to denigrating gay marriage and supporting lower taxes, but I see some of us can be terminally jingoistic as well. Good to see the real person unmasked.