Mexican drug gang turns to kidnapping in U.S. (Thanks Bush)

[audtatious]

Quote »Ohio resident Brian Draper says the economy is bad, and he can't help but think about having to take a step back from the life he's always known.

Until recently, Draper says he didn't log specific expenses. Now, he says the rising cost of living is forcing him to make cuts, and for the first time, he is watching what he buys at the grocery store. He's buying generic brands, cutting back on going out to restaurants, trying to drive less and canceling plans to go to Disney World with his three children.[/quote]I counter with this

Quote »Indiana resident (me) says the economy is not bad, and he can't help but think about what his next investment for retirement should be.

Until recently, (me) says his hard work and financial ethics have paid off while others are swimming in credit card and other means of self-inflicted and unnecessary debt. "Pull in the belt and start paying attention to the long term ramifications of your financial decisions" he says. With years of buying generic brands, keeping automobiles for up to 9 years and diving into work life as a means to make ends meet has worked out in the long run to give him a financial stability which seems may punish him in the long run. "well," he says "I've worked hard and planned things out yet the one thing I did not plan on was having to be penalized for being finacially stable." [/quote]My story is just as valid as his.....

[OriginalWheelman]

Good to see someone else knows how to live within their means.

It's like the people driving around in Corvettes acting condescending. All that proves is that you can borrow $50k. Doesn't mean you can pay it. Then there is good old revolving debt. I have no credit cards. I have no loans except student loans. I pay for my cars up front or I don't buy them. My logic is, if I can't save the money up ahead of time, I can't afford it. The American debt problem is the individual American's fault. It's convenient to blame the lenders but can you really blame them? They put everything in writing telling people they are screwed, and they sign on the dotted line with out reading it. It's the instant gratification desire. It's called self control people, and it's the mark of an adult.

[skylndrftr]

Unfortunately Wheelman, when I as a young person am so disastorously effected by these thigns, something more needs to be done. I want these people reigned in by the government so they stop ****ing up my ability to buy a house. If thedon't act like adults, we need to treat them like children and put rules in place.

[AZhitman]

Unfortunately Wheelman, when I as a young person am so disastorously effected by these thigns, something more needs to be done. I want these people reigned in by the government so they stop ****ing up my ability to buy a house. If thedon't act like adults, we need to treat them like children and put rules in place.

Congratulations, you're a Republican.

Keep in mind, the Dems want to BAIL OUT the idiots who spent above their means - the same people who are costing you and I a lot of money.

Side note... Several houses in my neighborhood are being foreclosed upon. Now, I don't live in an "exclusive" area, but it's nice. My house was $380K originally, I got it at the bottom of the slump for $250K... We lived in a pretty old house in a not-so-nice area for 13 years so we could save up and live within our means.. I paid $70K for that place, and at one point, it was worth $250K.

Now, I'm sitting on it. Can't sell it (it's only worth $100K now) because of the crappy market. So I'm renting it (since forecloures really boost the rental market).

Anyway, back to the foreclosures... Not only are these folks walking away from their homes, they're DESTROYING them on the way out. Kind of like a jealous boyfriend slashing his ex (the old "if I can't have you, no one can" deal).. Some have bought cars and boats and toys on equity loans (on those houses) and on second mortgages, and are getting away with nothing more than a blotch on their credit for 7 years. Big damn deal.

Meanwhile, SOMEONE has to absorb the cost of that house, fix all the damage, and try to sell it in a crappy economic market, plus it's bringing down MY property value. Guess who gets saddled with the costs? You and I.

Your party believes the "evil mortgage companies" did all this. They are DEAD WRONG.

Welcome home.

[Soravia]

Last year I tried to buy a used 2004 RX-8 for $17,999. No down payment. I wanted to know the prices for dealer warranty and stuff. Also shop around for interest rates.

Guess what, the dealer put in this and that to bump the price to $24,000. After that there's 12% interest rate which totals up to $33,000

I had to email BBB to get them off my back because they didn't take my NO and tried to get loans in my name from different banks.I know what it was worth and I knew what I could pay.

If someone was paying $250K for a home that was worth $150 a few years before, they deserve no bail out. Why should the tax money from my pocket buy them a house?

Back on the topic. The family not going to Disney may seem like 'too bad' for you. But without that family's ability to spend, the employees in Florida would be laid off. Those employees, unlike the family in the news piece, has nothing to cut back on thanks to low wages brought in by illegal immigrant. Making the job pool even smaller.

Now legalize those illegals, they ALL go into the job pool. That's like putting small fishes and predator fishes and big fishes all into a small pond. There will be blood.

[AZhitman]

Back on the topic. The family not going to Disney may seem like 'too bad' for you. But without that family's ability to spend, the employees in Florida would be laid off. Those employees, unlike the family in the news piece, has nothing to cut back on thanks to low wages brought in by illegal immigrant. Making the job pool even smaller.

It's so refreshing when someone sees the Big Picture.

Well-stated, Soravia.