Tick Tock

I believe at last count it was 5 minutes to midnight. The war is not over. Temperatures rise as the economy tanks. Hurricanes. Floods. Fire. Much of it is attributable to Mother Nature... much more to the foibles of mankind. Mankind. As its numbers continue to grow, so do many species continue to disappear. Extinction. Oblivion. But why should I care? I am on this earth for only a short while, and I hope to ride out the storm (40 to 50 more years, if I'm lucky) before the clock strikes twelve. If not, courtesy. Sympathy. Taste.

Foreclosure Pets

The SPCA and animal shelters have been very busy lately, accommodating a higher than usual number of "guests" due to the recent rash of housing foreclosures. When the home goes, so goes the family pet. The rationale is that these one-time homeowners are now looking to become renters again, assuming the cheaper option of apartments where there are no yards, no pets allowed or hefty pet deposits. Seems to make sense.

But abandonment?!

So these are the type of people who would ask the government to help bail them out of their financial predicament? Yes, the unscrupulous lenders are also to blame, but how 'bout taking some responsibility for your own actions? You got in too deep, gambled and lost. Maybe I wouldn't be so harsh were it not for the disregard of the family pet's welfare. This goes to show what you're really made of; therefore, it's not such a big surprise for your just desserts.

Foreclosures

As part of the housing slump that's going on throughout this area (region, state... the entire nation perhaps), there are many who have gotten in over their heads and can no longer maintain mortgage payments. Especially after those variable interest rates shot through the ceiling. Because so many people were affected by this unfortunate turn of events, there's some loud clamor for governmental assistance to dig them out of the hole they've dug.

I'm not so sympathetic. When something appears too good to be true, you can almost count on some kinda gotcha lurking in the shadows. I live in an old, humble little house just outside city limits with a triple-digit monthly mortgage payment. Far from perfect, but I am reasonably comfortable and call it home. There are a vast majority who (in my observation) seek the greatest size and finest accouterments that they can barely hope to afford; certainly, a few years ago the climate was right to fulfill this desire.

Low interest rates, affordable housing that was quickly appreciating and creative financing fueled the frenzy. Some were investors hoping to turn a quick profit from the boom. Now that the bottom of the housing market has dropped out, victims are crying "foul!".

Should taxpayer money go toward bailing out these short-sighted, ambitious and (dare I say... greedy?) homeowners? If the lenders have done something illegal, then they will have to answer to the justice system. Nope, I don't think I should be paying for someone else's mistake. Wouldn't it be nice to visit Lake Tahoe, gamble with markers, lose and be unable to cover said markers (your intent was to win, remember?), and expect the casino patrons to pitch in and pay for your losses? Dream on.