A Different Kind of Christmas in Michigan

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 13:36:10 PM EST

Growing up in the Metro Detroit area, there were good times, and then there were tough times, but my family still managed to always have Christmas that included plenty to eat and gifts under the tree.

Some years, that required my dad to work three jobs and my mom to work two, not to mention raising three kids, one of which was chronically ill (me) often times paying up to 25 different medical bills a month. Somehow we always got by, and now as adult, I can only imagine the financial juggling act that occurred with a mortgage, car lease, bills, groceries and the like.

After he was laid off from the Buick plant in the late 80's, my dad took on a side job as a pizza delivery man to help supplement the family's income. As a pre-teen, I remember being a little embarrassed seeing my dad don the company hat and come home smelling like a pizza oven. I'll never forget my mother admonishing me, "Be proud that your father is able to work and support his family, that's more than some people can do." I had really never thought about it like that before, too young to understand how dire the circumstances actually were.

This year is on track to be one of the toughest years for most Michigan families, including my own in the last 50 years. My mom starts her new job today, after being unemployed for the better part of the year, while my dad tries to not let the frustration of his own unemployment get the best of him. In addition, I have an uncle and an aunt who are also both without jobs, and my own sister walks into her job each day uncertain if she will be included in the latest round of lay-offs. 

Even with all this, my family is among the lucky few this holiday. When Christmas Day arrives, there will be gifts under the tree, and there will be food on the table, but certainly not to the extent there was in years past. Instead of everyone getting gifts for everyone else, we're drawing names. We're cutting back on the type of food and the quantity we're serving, and clipping coupons and checking sale ads before making any purchases. 

A recent report from the Michigan Non-Profit Association shows a dramatic increase in the demand for support, while financial and in-kind support for these same organizations has dropped significantly. The reasons will come as no surprise to any of us: the economy, fuel costs, foreclosure rates, and cuts to the state budget.

Al Jazeera covers GOP scheme to challenge voters based on foreclosure

by: bfealk

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 08:22:41 AM EDT

On A Way Forward, Or, Practical "Subprime Crisis" Solutions

by: fake consultant

Tue Sep 23, 2008 at 10:42:40 AM EDT

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was originally published on February 14th of this year, but it seems to be exceptionally timely today.

Obama Campaign files suit over "voter-foreclosure" plans. Go Michigan Messenger

by: bfealk

Tue Sep 16, 2008 at 15:35:46 PM EDT

The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Michigan over the Michigan GOP’s plan to use foreclosure lists to challenge voters at the polls, as first reported by the Michigan Messenger.

Bob Bauer, general counsel for the Obama campaign, and Mark Brewer, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, announced the lawsuit in a conference call with reporters this afternoon. It was filed on behalf of the campaign, the party and three Michigan residents who have had their houses foreclosed upon in recent months.

Bauer called the GOP plan to use foreclosure lists “a new and especially repellent version of caging.” Caging is a technique of challenging voters where they take lists of addresses, mail to them with a “do not forward” marking and if for whatever reason those mailings are returned, they use this as a basis for claiming that the voter no longer lives at the address at which they are registered.

Bauer noted that using foreclosure lists to challenge a voter’s address is “false and illegal” for several reasons. First, because getting a foreclosure notice is not evidence that the person’s address has changed. In Michigan, homeowners have the opportunity to redeem the foreclosure even after a sheriff’s sale has occurred, which means they can stay in the home for many months after a foreclosure notice has been sent. Second, because under Michigan law a person can vote at their old precinct if they lost their home within 60 days of the election.

Click here for the rest of the story

The Mother of all Bailouts

by: WaketheHerd

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 22:44:56 PM EDT

The U.S. House passed the "Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008" Thursday by a vote of 272-152. Check the roll call of who voted for the bill HERE

Here is some of the bill's fine print, as outlined by Congressman Paul in the above video:

- $2.5B line of credit to the Treasury (Fannie & Freddie – ‘F & F’) is now “open-ended”

- The U.S. Treasury now allowed to buy all ‘F & F’ housing securities

- Congress no longer involved in appropriating funds (the Treasury now does)

- National Debt Ceiling moved up another $800 BILLION

- Treasury Bills being exchanged for unwanted ‘F & F’ securities (Treasury Bills are the asset which “backs up our currency.”) This bill will breed inflation and place more pressure on the already deflated U.S. Dollar.

- Mortgage industry workers “will now have to be fingerprinted.”

- ALL credit card transactions will now be reported to the IRS.

Are you mad yet? The bill now moves to the Senate, where a vote is expected Friday or Saturday. The President has said he will sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.

Contact Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and let them know if you are upset about the "Mother of all Bailouts."