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San Diego example of Freddie Mac's work
The government should do what it did during the S&L crisis. The Feds would walk into a shuttered S&L and rifle the files looking for fraudulent loan applications. Then, the DOJ would send out hundreds of letters a week to borrowers with questionable loan applications (without an investigation) advising them that if they did not sign and return the enclosed misdemeanor plea bargain agreement, they would be charged with felonies. Almost all returned the agreements in exchange for no jail and very few had to be charged with felonies. The same tactic should be employed for real estate appraisers and mortgage brokers.— August 8, 2010 1:57 p.m.
San Diego example of Freddie Mac's work
What is annoying to people like me is that the government and central bank started out at the top -- bailing out the financial institutions first before there was any help to people who got taken by the mortgage hucksters. ======= I disagree. Very few borrowers were taken in by the hucksters. Most of the borrowers who took out questionable loans clearly understood the nonrecourse laws, and knew they would not be held liable for repayment in the event of default.— August 8, 2010 1:43 p.m.
San Diego example of Freddie Mac's work
So...get off your high horse and tell me if you would be able to afford losing that kind of money every month for an indefinite period of time because the market took a dump? I doubt it. ================= How much did your wife's trip to Pennsylvania cost? Why is she traveling to PA when she cannot pay her bills? I am not convinced that you and your wife cannot tighten your belts and meet your financial obligations.— August 6, 2010 10:35 p.m.
Council Votes to Put Tax Increase on Ballot
All I'll say is, City Attorney, Former Judge, and former elected State Assemblyman from the 75th District, Jan Goldsmith has said vested pension benefits are constitutionally protected. ========= Jan Goldsmith's oral opinions are not worth the paper they're written on. Only the US Supreme Court can say whether or not public employee pensions can be cut. Fatso Scalia is going to write the majority opinion on this issue and he's going to use a meat axe on your pension.— August 4, 2010 9:55 p.m.
This Crisis Is New? The City Confessed Six Years Ago
It would mess the blog up if a poster could edit his comment after another poster had read it and commented on it.— August 2, 2010 11:15 p.m.
This Crisis Is New? The City Confessed Six Years Ago
Response to post #38: We can edit parts of the web but, apparently, not the comments. Best, Don Bauder ============== You can edit your comments on the Reader website until such time as someone reads your comment. After your comment has been read it can no longer be edited.— August 2, 2010 7:37 p.m.
This Crisis Is New? The City Confessed Six Years Ago
My point everything gone up and out of sight over the last 35 years but my earning as a percentage to expenses basis really haven't changed much. ============= This is the point everyone is trying to make. During this same time period the middle class was wiped out. You and other government workers have been able to maintain your financial position during a time period when everyone else was going down the tubes financially. You expect to be paid well enough to afford private schooling for your children, a luxury almost no one in San Diego can afford. You also believe that a government worker should be able to buy an $875K house. Your expectations are totally out of whack with reality. The taxpayers are not going to approve the tax increase you need to save your pension. The politicians are going to slash your pay and pension and use the money to build a football stadium.— August 1, 2010 11:24 p.m.
Apartment "Manager"
Manager was strange. Although I wonder why your friend tried for the Tijuana discount... ten bucks? ============== Ask your friend if she would have put out for the apartment manager in exchange for a $100 per month rent reduction.— August 1, 2010 11:33 a.m.
This Crisis Is New? The City Confessed Six Years Ago
Any sales tax increase will only drive down the city's sales tax revenue, not increase it. City residents will make their purchases outside the city in order to avoid the sales tax increase. I know I will. Commuters will buy gas in other cities to avoid the tax increase. Many will also increase their internet purchases which will further erode city sales tax revenue. If the sales tax increase goes through, we should expect that taxable sales at Costco locations within the city will decline while sales at locations outside the city will increase. I believe the city should tax apartment and commercial property owners based on the number of parking spaces located on their properties. The city could raise $200 million a year through a parking space tax with no problem.— August 1, 2010 10:39 a.m.
Kerry Steigerwalt of Pacific Law Center says he was the “fall guy”
I am reading about 3 lawsuits filed which has automatically led the readers of this article to assume criminal activities were going on. 1 of the lawsuits has already been dismissed. =========== Steigerwalt should issue a statement explaining his side of the story before the rumors get out of control. I have not heard any credible evidence that indicates he's done anything wrong. He should call Don and give him the scoop and clear the air. Many news junkies are interested in this story and want the facts. Many are also interested in the legal issues involved in this case, including whether the entity operating the law center was doing business without a state license.— July 28, 2010 11:02 p.m.