PLEASE READ THIS

One of my co workers wrote this to CNN this morning.

Dear CNN,

I have been watching the news for the last two days and the more I watch the angrier I am getting. My husband I have been trying to understand how the US got into this precarious economic position and how it will affect our family.

I have listened to many of the experts and this is my understanding in simplistic terms. President Clinton passed a bill to decrease the requirements that were needed to purchase a home so that more Americans could attain the American dream. This in turn increased the demand for housing and inflated prices. Americans obtained interest only mortgages with zero down on houses that they couldn't afford. When the time came to start paying the principals that Americans could not afford they started foreclosing and housing prices started dropping because the demand started dropping as well. When housing prices were inflated the Fat Cats at the Wall Street firms took the inflated equity and started purchasing more mortgages. When housing prices dropped and people foreclosed these mortgages that they held devalued and they found themselves in the same boat as the American Home buyer owing more than what the property was actually worth.

So here are my concerns as an American Tax payer. In the last year my rent has gone up, my utilities have gone up, my car insurance has gone up, my food bill has gone up, my gas bill has gone up; my tax bill has gone up; starting to get the picture? We do not live on credit; we pay cash for most things. We have a car loan and have two credit cards where the line of credit is something we can afford to pay off. We do not have any savings because we live paycheck to paycheck. As far as the government is concerned we are rich (we look good on paper) as far as I am concerned we are barely making it. My husband and I both have to work full time and work second jobs. This takes away from my children and the quality of our lives. We looked at buying a home a few years back and we just couldn't afford it. All our friends thought we were crazy to continue renting but now my friends are foreclosing or trying to sell their homes. The ironic thing is we are financially in a better position than they are because we live within our means. This is reality.

My father taught me the value of credit. He told me when I was younger that I should imagine a Fat Cat with his feet on his desk smoking a cigar and laughing as he was making money on my hard work while he was sitting back doing nothing. So anytime I spend money on my credit cards I think of that it’s a great incentive to keep my spending in line.

So this is what I picture when my congress discusses this financial bail out.

I am angry because:

My husband and I are responsible and live within our means what about those people who acted irresponsible?

Why did my government not follow up on the Bill that was passed during the Clinton Administration?

Why is Obama so concerned about a debate when he should be our voice in Washington during this crisis? 'You can reach me by phone'
Is he kidding me?

Why is the Press criticizing McCain for stepping up for the people and doing what we pay him to do which is to pass legislation to help us during this time?

Why are we so concerned with CEO compensation and violating these peoples constitutional rights? Isn't a bail out violating the constitution? Are we one step closer to socialism?

Where is the accountability of these Wall Street firms? Why do I have to help them? Do they write me a check when I am short on my rent or my car breaks down and I can't afford to fix it?

I was undecided on this election until now. McCain has my vote that’s for sure after all this. Bully to him and those young Republicans in Congress. Do not let the Democrats do this to the hard working American people. Come up with a better plan that will reflect the interests of people like myself and my husband and still help the country get out of this mess.

Sincerely,

An Angry American who used to be a Democrat

---

Posted by MEMEJOR

One of my co workers wrote this to CNN this morning.

Dear CNN,

I have been watching the news for the last two days and the more I watch the angrier I am getting. My husband I have been trying to understand how the US got into this precarious economic position and how it will affect our family.

I have listened to many of the experts and this is my understanding in simplistic terms. President Clinton passed a bill to decrease the requirements that were needed to purchase a home so that more Americans could attain the American dream. This in turn increased the demand for housing and inflated prices. Americans obtained interest only mortgages with zero down on houses that they couldn't afford. When the time came to start paying the principals that Americans could not afford they started foreclosing and housing prices started dropping because the demand started dropping as well. When housing prices were inflated the Fat Cats at the Wall Street firms took the inflated equity and started purchasing more mortgages. When housing prices dropped and people foreclosed these mortgages that they held devalued and they found themselves in the same boat as the American Home buyer owing more than what the property was actually worth.

So here are my concerns as an American Tax payer. In the last year my rent has gone up, my utilities have gone up, my car insurance has gone up, my food bill has gone up, my gas bill has gone up; my tax bill has gone up; starting to get the picture? We do not live on credit; we pay cash for most things. We have a car loan and have two credit cards where the line of credit is something we can afford to pay off. We do not have any savings because we live paycheck to paycheck. As far as the government is concerned we are rich (we look good on paper) as far as I am concerned we are barely making it. My husband and I both have to work full time and work second jobs. This takes away from my children and the quality of our lives. We looked at buying a home a few years back and we just couldn't afford it. All our friends thought we were crazy to continue renting but now my friends are foreclosing or trying to sell their homes. The ironic thing is we are financially in a better position than they are because we live within our means. This is reality.

My father taught me the value of credit. He told me when I was younger that I should imagine a Fat Cat with his feet on his desk smoking a cigar and laughing as he was making money on my hard work while he was sitting back doing nothing. So anytime I spend money on my credit cards I think of that it’s a great incentive to keep my spending in line.

So this is what I picture when my congress discusses this financial bail out.

I am angry because:

My husband and I are responsible and live within our means what about those people who acted irresponsible?

Why did my government not follow up on the Bill that was passed during the Clinton Administration?

Why is Obama so concerned about a debate when he should be our voice in Washington during this crisis? 'You can reach me by phone'
Is he kidding me?

Why is the Press criticizing McCain for stepping up for the people and doing what we pay him to do which is to pass legislation to help us during this time?

Why are we so concerned with CEO compensation and violating these peoples constitutional rights? Isn't a bail out violating the constitution? Are we one step closer to socialism?

Where is the accountability of these Wall Street firms? Why do I have to help them? Do they write me a check when I am short on my rent or my car breaks down and I can't afford to fix it?

I was undecided on this election until now. McCain has my vote that’s for sure after all this. Bully to him and those young Republicans in Congress. Do not let the Democrats do this to the hard working American people. Come up with a better plan that will reflect the interests of people like myself and my husband and still help the country get out of this mess.

Sincerely,

An Angry American who used to be a Democrat

---

Please extend my congrats and sincere thank you to your coworker, because she hit the nail on the head and I for one agree ... I think i will print this out and frame it!

---

Posted by flairforfashion

100% agreed. I think this letter should be copied and forwarded to all of senate.

---

she is doing it as we speak...

Wow, please thank your co worker for me and thank you for posting it and thank you to everyone who is doing something similar.

I don't understand these things enough (although I'm doing research) to stand up for myself so I appreciate people like your coworker who are able to give people like me a voice!

Very well written!

This is EXACTLY what FH and I were discussing last night. Bravo

My vote is for the Apocalypse....

It would be way easier to deal with than this mess!!!

---

Posted by MEMEJOR

---

Posted by flairforfashion

100% agreed. I think this letter should be copied and forwarded to all of senate.

---

she is doing it as we speak...

---

all i have to say is thank you to her for having the balls to say what most of us are thinking

I wholeheartedly applaud your passion and conviction- even your anger. All of us should have it these days. Too few of us do.

However, I disagree with many of your points. While there is truth to the majority of what has been written here, I fear that many of the facts can be and have been shaded any way the writer, reporter, or regular American partisan (no offense here- anyone who identifies themselves with a certain party usually is, at least, slightly partisan) is biased towards.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Democrat. I am also completely nauseated by what has happened in this country over the years, and I blame both parties. What has happened is that the American Politician no longer legislates, or represents constituents.

They campaign.

These are life-long politicians, who have made it their careers to stay in office. Sometimes, I think that they are just people who want to be famous, but lack any discernable talent. In order to stay in office, they will lie at EVERY turn. Even when those lies are discovered, they are always able to spin the story so the lie itself doesn't seem so unconscionable. To their benefit, the typical American voter is so uninterested in politics, and has such a short attention span, that it doesn't matter. If something earth-shattering happens, (JAMIE-LYNN, PREGNANT!!!), we all move our attention to those more pressing matters. And we forget what we just learned.

Anyway, back to this:

Clinton did pass a law to try to help more people get into homes of their own. HOWEVER, what you need to remember about this is that there were still very strict rules about providing mortgages to those people. There may have been 'zero-down allowances', but there was still strict criteria about whom to give those mortgages to. Not just anyone could get a mortgage.

Enter George W. Bush. His age of 'Business First' changed all that. Bush's economic advisor Phil Graham wrote the deregulation bill that allowed banks to take huge risks with all of our future. This is the bill Democrats fought against. They lost. Now, Phil Graham is the head of McCain's economic policy. He is also McCain's choice for the next secretary of the treasury. THIS is what opened the doors for these mortgage companies to give mortgages to everyone and their destitute brother.

Please recognize this distinction, because it is valid. Bill Clinton tried to open doors for people to get homes of their own- people who did not necessarily have the thousands to put down, but who were safe risks for the future.

It was George W. Bush who used that legislation originally intended to help people starting out, and INSTEAD piled additional legislation on top of it to kick open the doors to benefit business.

The last time Bush met with his economic advosirs was in March. He either didn't care or didn't realize that anything was wrong. Phil Graham said that 'Americans are in a mental recession' after he helped create the worst economic meltdown in our lifetime.

I know that taxes are a concern- I don't want to pay more taxes, and I know no one else does either.

HOWEVER, in the current fiscal state we are now in, there is NO WAY we will get out of our current nightmare without raising taxes. When a politician (McCain) tells you he will not raise taxes, run for cover, because it is not possible. Remember, they will say anything to get elected. Remember 'Read My Lips'??

We are here also because Bush lowered taxes on the top earners in this country. When he came into office, he inherited a surplus the likes of which this country had never seen. He is leaving with a tanking economy, and a deficit of 11.6 TRILLION dollars.

Why? A tax cut + the most expensive war in american history. You have to have money to pay for these things. Add to that this bailout. Add to that the new bailout announced yesterday to US Automakers. $25 billion. Why do they need to be bailed out? Because Republicans and auto industry lobbyists fought tooth and nail to resist increasing mileage standards in this country, because it would be too 'expensive and restrictive to american business' to force them to make a better product. This technology is availale everywhere else in the world. Ford is introducing a 65 mpg car in europe next year, Not here, though. Now they have rendered American automaking completely obsolete, because we haven't kept up with the rest of the world. Americans will buy Japanese, because in this time of sky high oil, we can't afford the Navigators and Behemoths we love to drive for some reason.

About the debate, I know this will sound cynical, but I love politics and have studied it quite a bit. When you see examples of government lying to you over the years, you can start to see when something is 'up'. Don't be fooled by Mc Cain's move. On Monday morning he says the economy is sound. On Monday afternoon he says it is at risk. His poll numbers fall. He's coming up on a debate with a guy who's known as a skilled orator. He has admitted, in his own words, that he doesn't know much about the economy.

This was the perfect time to call a time out.

And, just a note, even though he said he was halting his campaign, it did not happen. Business as usual went on. Aides were dispatched to smear democrats and Obama about them not falling into line with his call to postpone the debate. He's not even a member of the banking committee. At some point, get out of the way. I feel that Obama is right. Right now, Bush is (poorly) managing two wars (he created), a disastrous economy, failing american business, and sky high oil (it was $20 a barrell when he became president. It has gone up to $120 under his tenure. Remember he said going to war in Iraq would guarantee stable oil prices? That did not work out as promised).

If McCain can't handle this crisis and a 90 minute debate, he's got a problem.

Add to that the fact that this is an EXTREMELY close race, and that the election is 38 days away, I believe that there is no time in history when a debate was needed more urgently than it is now.

The debates are when the lies are challenged. The debates are where their plans are articulated (albeit briefly- it still hurts to remember Kerry saying over and over 'in MY plan', and he never articulated exactly what HIS plan was). We need to know NOW what they are thinking.

And you better believe that I think CEO compensation is important. These golden parachutes are sometimes worth numbers in the hundreds of millions. Those are homes and jobs for thousands of people. Let it go to the right people.

In the financial sector, there is panic the likes of which I have never seen in my lifetime. I think the unfortunate reality is that a bailout is a distasteful necessity at this time. And just so you are aware, because it gets lost in reporting, Senate Republicans are supporting it- it is the CONGRESSIONAL Republicans who are against it.

Why?

Because they are all up for re-election in November.

It's the answer to why any of these people pick a side. If it's coming up to election time, and something is unpopular, oppose it. Who could possibly be for taxpayers footing the bill for these idiots?? No one. Except that without it, look for dustbowl #2.

And I'm not kidding. If it all falls apart, it's going to be that bad. I DON'T WANT THIS BAILOUT. NO ONE DOES. But I fear that without it, we are looking at a crisis the likes of which we have never seen before.

I think it important to state that I rent an apartment, because I too was unable to comfortably pay off a mortgage at this time. I do not use credit. And I am angry at those people who put us iin this position. But it's the wrong people who are going to suffer if it all falls apart.

It's us.

Finally, I am SO SORRY to ramble like this, but I feel I have to add, as a woman:

I know this is a sensitive subject. I expect the dogpile on here after this is printed. However, whatever your feeling are regarding Right to Life vs. Right to Choose, I truly believe that there are very few of us who would be capable of telling a young girl who is a victim of rape and incest that she has to carry that child to term. I cannot imagine what it must be like to carry a rapists child within me for 9 months. Worse yet, if that racist was a family member. And Sarah Palin has publicly endorsed this position. Perhaps you feel this is an inflammatory example, but it is reality of her position. I feel in my heart that even those who are Right to Life must have some reservations on this (if I am incorrect, please forgive the generalization).

In addition, Sarah Palin, as mayor of Wasilla, billed rape and sexual assault victims for the cost of rape kits and forensic exams. This is 100% true. It is my feeling that this was due to her extreme opposition to abortion. How you make a rape victim pay for her own rape kit is beyond even my wildest and most cynical imagination. This practice was continued after the State Legislature outlawed it. Her response?

'I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer.'

No one does. But sometimes, as taxpayers, we are responsible for so much more than we know.

I just ask you to think long and hard about why you make your decision. Your anger at the current situation could put someone in office who will change the makeup of the Supreme Court. Who will bring this country backwards. Who will make us even more isolationist than we already have become.

It is a different world today. We are no longer the Superpower we were. That is the reality, and everything is different.

Please consider your vote as much as possible. It is the only weapon we have.

I hope I have offended no one- if I did, it was certainly not my intention. I hope we can all talk about these issues- your letter opened my eyes to things I had not considered, and I hope mine does the same for you guys.

Best of luck to us all.

---

Posted by brunbarb

I wholeheartedly applaud your passion and conviction- even your anger. All of us should have it these days. Too few of us do.

However, I disagree with many of your points. While there is truth to the majority of what has been written here, I fear that many of the facts can be and have been shaded any way the writer, reporter, or regular American partisan (no offense here- anyone who identifies themselves with a certain party usually is, at least, slightly partisan) is biased towards.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Democrat. I am also completely nauseated by what has happened in this country over the years, and I blame both parties. What has happened is that the American Politician no longer legislates, or represents constituents.

They campaign.

These are life-long politicians, who have made it their careers to stay in office. Sometimes, I think that they are just people who want to be famous, but lack any discernable talent. In order to stay in office, they will lie at EVERY turn. Even when those lies are discovered, they are always able to spin the story so the lie itself doesn't seem so unconscionable. To their benefit, the typical American voter is so uninterested in politics, and has such a short attention span, that it doesn't matter. If something earth-shattering happens, (JAMIE-LYNN, PREGNANT!!!), we all move our attention to those more pressing matters. And we forget what we just learned.

Anyway, back to this:

Clinton did pass a law to try to help more people get into homes of their own. HOWEVER, what you need to remember about this is that there were still very strict rules about providing mortgages to those people. There may have been 'zero-down allowances', but there was still strict criteria about whom to give those mortgages to. Not just anyone could get a mortgage.

Enter George W. Bush. His age of 'Business First' changed all that. Bush's economic advisor Phil Graham wrote the deregulation bill that allowed banks to take huge risks with all of our future. This is the bill Democrats fought against. They lost. Now, Phil Graham is the head of McCain's economic policy. He is also McCain's choice for the next secretary of the treasury. THIS is what opened the doors for these mortgage companies to give mortgages to everyone and their destitute brother.

Please recognize this distinction, because it is valid. Bill Clinton tried to open doors for people to get homes of their own- people who did not necessarily have the thousands to put down, but who were safe risks for the future.

It was George W. Bush who used that legislation originally intended to help people starting out, and INSTEAD piled additional legislation on top of it to kick open the doors to benefit business.

The last time Bush met with his economic advosirs was in March. He either didn't care or didn't realize that anything was wrong. Phil Graham said that 'Americans are in a mental recession' after he helped create the worst economic meltdown in our lifetime.

I know that taxes are a concern- I don't want to pay more taxes, and I know no one else does either.

HOWEVER, in the current fiscal state we are now in, there is NO WAY we will get out of our current nightmare without raising taxes. When a politician (McCain) tells you he will not raise taxes, run for cover, because it is not possible. Remember, they will say anything to get elected. Remember 'Read My Lips'??

We are here also because Bush lowered taxes on the top earners in this country. When he came into office, he inherited a surplus the likes of which this country had never seen. He is leaving with a tanking economy, and a deficit of 11.6 TRILLION dollars.

Why? A tax cut + the most expensive war in american history. You have to have money to pay for these things. Add to that this bailout. Add to that the new bailout announced yesterday to US Automakers. $25 billion. Why do they need to be bailed out? Because Republicans and auto industry lobbyists fought tooth and nail to resist increasing mileage standards in this country, because it would be too 'expensive and restrictive to american business' to force them to make a better product. This technology is availale everywhere else in the world. Ford is introducing a 65 mpg car in europe next year, Not here, though. Now they have rendered American automaking completely obsolete, because we haven't kept up with the rest of the world. Americans will buy Japanese, because in this time of sky high oil, we can't afford the Navigators and Behemoths we love to drive for some reason.

About the debate, I know this will sound cynical, but I love politics and have studied it quite a bit. When you see examples of government lying to you over the years, you can start to see when something is 'up'. Don't be fooled by Mc Cain's move. On Monday morning he says the economy is sound. On Monday afternoon he says it is at risk. His poll numbers fall. He's coming up on a debate with a guy who's known as a skilled orator. He has admitted, in his own words, that he doesn't know much about the economy.

This was the perfect time to call a time out.

And, just a note, even though he said he was halting his campaign, it did not happen. Business as usual went on. Aides were dispatched to smear democrats and Obama about them not falling into line with his call to postpone the debate. He's not even a member of the banking committee. At some point, get out of the way. I feel that Obama is right. Right now, Bush is (poorly) managing two wars (he created), a disastrous economy, failing american business, and sky high oil (it was $20 a barrell when he became president. It has gone up to $120 under his tenure. Remember he said going to war in Iraq would guarantee stable oil prices? That did not work out as promised).

If McCain can't handle this crisis and a 90 minute debate, he's got a problem.

Add to that the fact that this is an EXTREMELY close race, and that the election is 38 days away, I believe that there is no time in history when a debate was needed more urgently than it is now.

The debates are when the lies are challenged. The debates are where their plans are articulated (albeit briefly- it still hurts to remember Kerry saying over and over 'in MY plan', and he never articulated exactly what HIS plan was). We need to know NOW what they are thinking.

And you better believe that I think CEO compensation is important. These golden parachutes are sometimes worth numbers in the hundreds of millions. Those are homes and jobs for thousands of people. Let it go to the right people.

In the financial sector, there is panic the likes of which I have never seen in my lifetime. I think the unfortunate reality is that a bailout is a distasteful necessity at this time. And just so you are aware, because it gets lost in reporting, Senate Republicans are supporting it- it is the CONGRESSIONAL Republicans who are against it.

Why?

Because they are all up for re-election in November.

It's the answer to why any of these people pick a side. If it's coming up to election time, and something is unpopular, oppose it. Who could possibly be for taxpayers footing the bill for these idiots?? No one. Except that without it, look for dustbowl #2.

And I'm not kidding. If it all falls apart, it's going to be that bad. I DON'T WANT THIS BAILOUT. NO ONE DOES. But I fear that without it, we are looking at a crisis the likes of which we have never seen before.

I think it important to state that I rent an apartment, because I too was unable to comfortably pay off a mortgage at this time. I do not use credit. And I am angry at those people who put us iin this position. But it's the wrong people who are going to suffer if it all falls apart.

It's us.

Finally, I am SO SORRY to ramble like this, but I feel I have to add, as a woman:

I know this is a sensitive subject. I expect the dogpile on here after this is printed. However, whatever your feeling are regarding Right to Life vs. Right to Choose, I truly believe that there are very few of us who would be capable of telling a young girl who is a victim of rape and incest that she has to carry that child to term. I cannot imagine what it must be like to carry a rapists child within me for 9 months. Worse yet, if that racist was a family member. And Sarah Palin has publicly endorsed this position. Perhaps you feel this is an inflammatory example, but it is reality of her position. I feel in my heart that even those who are Right to Life must have some reservations on this (if I am incorrect, please forgive the generalization).

In addition, Sarah Palin, as mayor of Wasilla, billed rape and sexual assault victims for the cost of rape kits and forensic exams. This is 100% true. It is my feeling that this was due to her extreme opposition to abortion. How you make a rape victim pay for her own rape kit is beyond even my wildest and most cynical imagination. This practice was continued after the State Legislature outlawed it. Her response?

'I just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer.'

No one does. But sometimes, as taxpayers, we are responsible for so much more than we know.

I just ask you to think long and hard about why you make your decision. Your anger at the current situation could put someone in office who will change the makeup of the Supreme Court. Who will bring this country backwards. Who will make us even more isolationist than we already have become.

It is a different world today. We are no longer the Superpower we were. That is the reality, and everything is different.

Please consider your vote as much as possible. It is the only weapon we have.

I hope I have offended no one- if I did, it was certainly not my intention. I hope we can all talk about these issues- your letter opened my eyes to things I had not considered, and I hope mine does the same for you guys.

Best of luck to us all.

---

Now this is WELL Written and hit the nail on the head!!!!!
How will we know if the candidates will do a good job if we don't hear what they have to say about all of this and that's why we need the debate.
I also agree with you on the Right to Life/Right to choose positions. I don't believe anyone has the right to tell someone else how to live their lives and how many children they should especially in the case of rape or incest. Will you be paying to raise that child? I think not! It has to be a personal decision whether or not to have a child.
I agree with everything said by this poster.

Thanks for your support. I just hope we all pay attention to what's said AND unsaid.

As for those who differ, I completely respect your opinions as well. Healthy discussion can only help us all, and open our eyes to things we may not have considered.

Now can someone help me find a DJ please???

---

Posted by brunbarb

Thanks for your support. I just hope we all pay attention to what's said AND unsaid.

As for those who differ, I completely respect your opinions as well. Healthy discussion can only help us all, and open our eyes to things we may not have considered.

Now can someone help me find a DJ please???

---

you are officially my new favorite person.....

---

Posted by brunbarb

Thanks for your support. I just hope we all pay attention to what's said AND unsaid.

As for those who differ, I completely respect your opinions as well. Healthy discussion can only help us all, and open our eyes to things we may not have considered.

Now can someone help me find a DJ please???

---

You are a very smart girl and I, too, hope everyone listens to everything that is said tonight with an open mind.

As for your request for a good DJ - both my sons used Classie Sounds who are located on Avenue O in Brooklyn. They are the house DJ for both Russo's on the Bay and the Riviera in Brooklyn. They did an amazing job at both weddings and people are still talking about them. If you look for the post dated 9/4/07 by MJDoc12 titled GREATEST WEDDING I'VE EVER ATTENDED...NINA IS MARRIED and read the original posters review and also scroll down and read Mrsdanirella's post you will read what they posted about the DJ and see some pictures too. If you call them ask for either Steve or Nick to be your MC. They are both fabulous and Nick does percussion as well.
Good luck and keep me posted on whether or not you decide to use Classie Sounds.
Liz

---

Posted by brunbarb

Thanks so much for the info and compliment!! I really appreciate it, and I'll think of you during tonight's debate!

---

Have a great night and as I said let me know if you decide to call Classie Sounds. You can FM me if like with any questions about anything you may have.