The Wars Since 911

We seemed to be fighting a ghost, until a few months ago when finally, after nine plus years the U.S. actually caught and killed Bin Laden. It was a quick strike procedure carefully carried out in the dark of night. Success was vital (we had not had many successes lately, especially in this type of a campaign.) It really was a feather in Obama’s cap. He did what no one felt he could. He made the decision to move forward. This was a great day for the world to rid this terrorist from the planet. But, what led up to this illustrious moment was quite taxing and I believe ill fated. The Iraq War and the Afghan Wars were handled poorly on all fronts by both Presidents and Congress. The U.S. needs to learn from this so as not to dive head long into this type of hornets nest again. (You would have thought Vietnam would have taught us something) First, we need to realize that a war is meant to be won or lost and fought against an enemy combatant. The overall expense, loss of life, length of time spawned a division of the nation and the politics made this affair difficult to swallow. If it is War… Declare It, legally and go to war to win. Unleash the hounds (so speak). This idea of surgically removing the enemy, in a nation that really did not seem to care, nor was very helpful in identifying the bad guys is way to hard and dangerous. Secondly, if these nations want us there; let them ask for help and be willing to foot the bill for us to send our troops, equipment and technology over to their shores. Also, they should be thankful we are there. We will leave it better than we found it. Probably, we will rebuild it, at our cost, before we leave. We have to look ahead to how to end these types of wars. The people are liberated but are not prepared to rule themselves and they are not about to let us rule. So, provisions should be made for our exit plan or else all hell will break loose. (Pretty much like Libya, Syria, Egypt and the rest of the Mid East boiling pot has exploded.)So much is now at stake that maybe could have been spared through negotiations, embargos and other diplomatic activities instead of the wars. (I firmly believe that was part of Bin Laden’s plan to bait us into a series of wars that we can not win but will continue to fight at an incredible expense of life and money.) He knew our ego and our compassion to rid the world of such terror would drive us to finish the job. Well we got him, but the job is still not done… Or is it? Where do we go from here?
I say enough is enough… Time to Look Inward and fix our problems! Use that money, effort and experienced personnel to rebuilt our core, protect our borders and to reshape the broken cities from the natural disasters of recent times. Our military has rebuilt many parts of Iraq, yet New Orleans is still in ruin. Our military chases militants through out the world yet gangs rule many of our cities. Our young people die defending people that don’t love nor respect them for what they do; bring them home , bring them to the many bases we have around the world to protect, defend and reinforce the America that we possess. Don’t get me wrong! I greatly admire and respect every military person that does go forward to do the duty for which they are charged. They deserve more, respect and thanks for what they do. They deserve to be treated better upon their arrival home. They deserve the top care available. (Say a medical life insurance plan for life similar to that of Congress, how about a suitable pension plan, how about job training to acclimate them to civilian life. They get very little pay for what they do… we need to do more for these individuals that put so much on the line for us.) For, if we are in a better place today than ten years ago, they are very much the reason that we are safe and secure.

911 remebered... are we better off today?

The Economy
Wow where do we start on this roller coaster! Following the unexpected catastrophe, I thought the world economy would immediately be devastated. But again, somehow the economy seemed to flourish. Businesses rebuilt, moved to new locations and the U.S. seemed to get stronger for a time period. Housing markets went ballistic, growing at an unbelievable rate. We had some very good years. But, then you know what hit the preverbal fan. Half way through the decade everything began to unravel at an alarming pace. The snowballing effect became an avalanche. The cost of two wars, the housing bubble burst, the loss of U.S. Companies overseas and the eventual unemployment reaching 9+%, 15+ % underemployed, the union vs. nonunion vs. management has created an unrest in a country (not to mention the world) that has possibly never been seen before. Was this part of the Osama scheme? Was he that intelligent that he could predict the high cost of war, the long duration of fighting would lead the U.S. into such financial turmoil? Or was this all predetermined and part of Bible prophecy. (Money will be thrown in the streets Ezekiel 7:19) The huge ponzi schemes that destroyed many individuals from the middle class to the most wealthy. We have truly spiraled into an abyss that is very difficult and confusing of which to pull ourselves out.
How we right the ship is still to be seen. I have my opinions;
First the jobs that were lost due to technological advances will never come back; companies have leaned to be more effective, efficient and streamline the work force. The companies that left the U.S. to overseas are not being allowed to return without paying huge sums of money toward the income they made while abroad. (If there needs to be a stimulus package, then here it is… bring the American companies home, provide them a tax amnesty and put Americans back to work!) The government can not be the major employer because the cost of operations falls solely on the tax payer. (The governments
Needs; i.e. roads, damns etc should be put out to bid for private contractor to perform the work at a competitive cost) The long term benefit packages, the social security system and pensions need to be changed or in many cases eliminated.
We are not in a better place now than we were ten years ago; the hope of this writer is that we will improve over the next 10 years! I have 4 children that hope will an easier time than I have had. I hope that heir children will have it easier and all can be more productive than I. I think we all wish these things for our kids. The question is; can we put aside our Childish infighting and move in a positive direction.

A Time to Reflect

Watching TV this morning started me thinking about 911 and the past decade. What a wild ride it has been. Some good , some bad and most notably very different for this American society. I have broken my thoughts down to 4 or 5 catagories, they are intertwined yet separate issues that have effected each of us every single day.

First is the attitude of the population. Second is the economy and it’s cycle. Third is the wars. Fourth is a look at the past and the prognosis for the future should all things now remain unchanged. Lastly, a personal look at myself and family over the past 10 years. I also ask one final question ‘ Are we better off today than we were ten years ago? (I am going to break this down into segments because I am afraid if I published this all at once it would seem like ramblings of an old man. So here goes the first section;

The attitude of the population!
Prior to that fateful event of 911, I can remember the buzz around was whether a boy that was playing in the Little League World Series (a pitcher) was of the legal age and should he be allowed to pitch? Before that was decided the planes crashed and so we thought would our lives. Not so unbelievably, an outpouring of American pride, nationalism and undaunted support rose from those ashes. It was like a bully punched your sister, (it was ok for you to take a poke at your sister, but god forbid if some one else took that shot. You would step up to protect her at all costs!) The nation rallied around the flag, it’s leaders and each other. Whether Republican or Democrat; Black or White, Rich or Poor, the Americans were not going to be pushed around by anybody, any group, no way no how! That was ten years ago! Well what has transpired is pretty amazing. We rallied at the crucial moment but that quickly waned. I feel like we as a nation have regressed back into the late 1960’s early 70’s. We are a nation fighting an unpopular war with no real end in sight. We are now a nation that is so divided, class warfare is imminent, (do not be surprised if there is riots similar to the Chicago riots) It’s the rich vs the poor (not the haves aiding the have nots). The employment or rather the unemployment is staggering and still growing, with no great solutions in sight, The national debt is screaming out of control ; but that is a later subject. The Unions vs the non unions, the Republicans vs the Democrats. (Please do not even get me started on the media, and the bias reporting on both sides that is acting like a lever trying to pursued, influence and control our thoughts. They may be the most offensive, overstepping their bounds of reporting an analysizing the news to becoming the leaders of controversy. The rheteric and interpretation is so slanted from both sides is a major source of division. Shame on them for they should not be planting these seeds of destruction and division, their job is to report the news!) No one is trying to find a middle ground. This me vs. you attitude has got to stop. This me first attitude is not how I was brought up and I venture to guess that is not how you were brought up. The art compromise has been replaced with back door wrangling, pressure tactics and even worse name calling. (I said it this way ‘name calling’ because it sounds childish) Mostly because that is the way we are acting! CHILDISH!!!! SELFISH LITTLE BRATS! If I acted that way with my friends, classmates, teammates or the general population my dad would have swatted me in the ass, send me to my room and made my life a living hell until I decided to apologize and straighten out my act. Again, I when I have a job to do, I am expected to act responsibly, represent the employer and service my customers and clients. I am not supposed to dictate to them, misrepresent nor intimidate . For that I would have be fired.

People, stop and look around; I want some one to tell me that we, as a group are not acting childish. That; ‘what’s in it for me attitude’ (which as always been prevalant) has changed to the worse to ’what’s in it for me to get ahead at any costs.’ We need to dig deep down and find that spirit of brotherhood, not the rally around the flag spirit, but that spirit of God, the spirit that moves you toward acts of kindness, toward one another, giving freely with out looking for material gains, the spirit that moves a body to be respectful, decent and generous to his fellow man. Only then when we have found that will we be able to move forward, the ability to agree to disagree and to work out our issues in a fair and just way.

Where do we go from here!

The last day of the Housing Tax Credits is upon us. The Real Estate market has started to rebound. Prices seem to be stabilizing in areas, inventory is high but managable. Offers are being negotiated but they are still a fight to get to closing. Banks are very slow and plodding through the mortgage process! A major factor is house condition. Many are in need of repairs that slow the process, some times grinding the whole mechanism to a stop. Sellers need to be better counseled on what to expect and what issues will help sell their house.
An example; Should you do a new kitchen, or replace a roof? Most would say the kitchen will make my home a showplace, when rthe smart money says check the roof, if it is need of replacement... do it! Because the bank or the home inspector may require it. How about his one; I recommend to my sellers to have the big ticket items checked before they begin marketing. Heating systems, water tests, radon for air and water. Lets look at these cuz if they are defective they will need to be addressed. And these are expensive repairs. (Why wait for the inspector to tell you and you have to renegotiate in the middle of the transaction.)Pennywise and pound foolish can be very costly. Anything that you, as a home owner, can do to ensure the completeness (is that a word?) of your house prior to marketing will result in an easier and more profitable venture.
It will be very interesting to see how the economy flows now that the Tax Credits are ended. What type of stimulus is next on the horizon. Hopefully something that will be beneficial to a larger group of buyers and sellers. My next Blog will discuss my ideas to truely stimulate the economy, promote housing, and help businesses and communities on aa a whole; and the cost is able to be recouped!

Opportunity is Knocking! Don't miss it!

Everywhere you go all people want to do is talk about all the bad stuff in the world! Ugly politics, Inflation, Money lost, Jobs disappearing, it really can go on and on. The Real Estate market alone can consume hours of useless chatter around the water cooler. Let's try a different approach.... How About Only Talking About What IS Good! The conversations may be shorter, but will definately be uplifting. An early spring, baseball starts soon, a great Final Four, proms, weddings and all the rites of Spring. Here is another topic! Real Estate! YES REAL ESTATE! it is a double edged sword! There is all the bad stuff...(which we will not talk about), but what about the good side! Yes, there is a good side! There are so many investment possibilities for young home buyers, investors, and even possibilities for those that got rocked (maybe they can start to rebuild a portfolio, heck they did it once before, why not again.) There really are some very good buys out in the market. HUD, FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC foreclosures can be quite lucrative over time. Add in the Tax Credits for the qualified buyers (which only last until April 30, 2010) and the deals even look better. I do not understand why more people are not taking advantage of the market. Money is cheap to borrow (current rate BELOW 5%, CHFA BELOW 4.25%...100% FINANCING, FHA 5% 3.5% down payment) For you first time buyers there is still the $8000 Tax Credit and for the current owners that qualify there is a $6500 Tax Credit for accepted Contracts prior to April 30, 2010. All homes must close by June 30, 2010. Don't let all the negativism out there pull you down. If you are in a secure position in life and thinking of improving your housing situation, Now Is The Time To Act!

It's Crunch Time!

It is getting down to crunch time! Today is March 12th 2010, there are only 49 days left to decide to purchase a home and take advantage of the Tax Credits before they expire! I know this sounds like a furniture store going out of business and the announcer is trying to inspire all the buyers to action before the big SALE ENDS! But this time, it is quite possible that the Tax Credits will end and you, the buyers, that decide to act later in the year will lose money, Hard Cash. Money that could have been used for bills, household needs, college funds, wedding arrangements and so much more. Prices may fall after the Tax Credits end, but that does not necessarily put cash in hand. Rates are great, money is cheap to borrow. You could almost think of this Credit as a home equity loan to yourself that you don't have to pay back. All that is required is for you buyers to act now or within the next 49 days to get an accepted offer. You then need to close by June 30th 2010. Remember the guidelines are spelled out for you at; www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com. Take the time to review this program, it is no longer just for the first time buyer, repeat buyers that meet the qualifications can also take advantage. After your review of the information; please give me a call and let me go to work on your behalf.

The American Way?

Believe me when I say how sorry I am for all the people that are having financial difficulties at this time. Those folks that lost jobs, hours, reduced pay, etc. There is a story for all occasions. House values are upside down. Meaning the house is not currently worth what is owed on the mortgage. However in many cases that does not mean the house is not worth what the owner originally paid for the house. How many people have remortgaged and added debt to their house in the form of college loans, cars, credit card balances, trips and other short term debts. This is what the public was told to do. Borrow against your main long term investment because it had a lower rate and you could then afford the payments. Heck the value of your house was increasing at such a fast pace, many people refinanced numerous times adding mega debt. Then the marketplace has a ‘correction’ and lo and behold there is not enough equity to support the value. (This is not the case in most problem loans), but I would be interested to know what is that ratio? How many people have over financed their original debt and walked away with all the toys? The cars were ‘paid for’ in the house loan, so were the credit cards and all those purchases, except the final loan was never paid off. So not only, did the banks have to absorb the financial down turn but had to absorb the extras.
Now let’s look at this, the American government operates in a terrible deficit based upon unsound borrowing practices. They encouraged the banks to lend money in such a way as to promote indebtedness. We are short of jobs in the U.S., so let’s send more jobs over seas. We use energy at an alarming rate, but we buy the oil from overseas. We needed to bail out Wall Street so we borrowed the funds from our future; based upon future growth and the ability to repay at a later date. As the song goes; ‘When Will We Ever Learn?’
There needs to be a real shake up in our society. One that not only means we have to live within our means, but one that goes farther and says ‘we must live as if the future depends on the actions of the present.’ Our debts must be controlled; we must keep our jobs in the U.S. With out employment we can not get out of the fix we created. Health care needs to be corrected to allow growth. Taxes cuts need to be implemented to keep and grow the job market. Incentives packages need to be extended to employers to keep jobs from going abroad in exchange for guarantees of goods and services and future employment to those in the communities.
We need to change the American way back to the days of our parents, and their parents. Learn from the past, Pride in American goods and services. Growth of the economy through manufacturing, and industrial growth is essential. New business strategies, and techniques need to be established, growth of sound energy practices, expansion of natural gas, solar, nuclear power and finally business loyalty are imperative to sustaining growth and eliminating the debt. Lastly, I call on the government to stop the political wrangling and holding the American public at bay with all the earmarks and sloppy backroom government deals. They need to work together to pull us out of this hole that we are in. How we got there is not the point, the fact we are in this mess is the important issue. Let’s work as we did after the last crisis in 9/11, face this crisis head on and getter done!