Sonal_Basu wrote:
While I see your point of view, I also meet many homeowners who are in genuine hardship due to loss of jobs or personal problems. I think this could help those few who really need it.
I love the fact that we remain, for the most part, a benevolent people. Your comment reflects that kindness. However, at times we are too generous IMHO and it's created a belief among many that facing hardship qualifies them for special treatment via governmental programs financed by everyone else.
I've known many families who in fact, did suffer job losses or personal problems as you cite. BTDT myself. However, I've also noted that most worked their way through it by being reasonable in all their dealings.
I've known others who are their own worst enemies and, because of their approach to issues, particularly personal finances, when life threw them a curve, they folded without even trying. Their priorities were ass backwards and they just couldn't see that. They could never seem to understand that they had some responsibility in the matter. Instead, they had a "whoa is me" and "I deserve help" attitude.
I've seen way too much of in the so called "housing crisis". No acceptance of any responsibility. It's evidenced all around my neighborhood and it many homes I tour via the foreclosures and short sales involved: "Gee, I can't make 30% per year on my house and I owe more than its' worth so the **bleep** bank will just have to take it if they can get me out."
I work in government and see this attitude and behavior every day. In fact, we have many programs that encourage it by promoting a constituency of "those who really need it" as you advocate. It guarantees our jobs.
These behaviors and attitudes are not a deliberate evil - the "victims" aren't cheating per se or scamming the system necessarily - but many "victims" don't believe they have any responsibility and they are trained to expect that the rest of us should bail them out. They won't take responsibility for themselves and they refuse to accept that there are no guarantees in life and one must plan accordingly.
I believe that it would be in society's best interests if we at least demanded that they realize their own responsibility before we bail them out. Instead, we continue to scatter bird seed about and wonder why the pigeon population is growing. This latest proposal is more bird seed for the masses.
