I got a bum middle finger on my left hand doing some house repair. We opened up the window seat this weekend, and I poked the tip of my finger pretty bad.

I want to write about the senate elections in Minnesota and Georgia, cause I think it proves my point about Instant Runoff Voting. it'll take a lot of words though, so I'll have to wait.

Happy shoveling everyone.

In relation to my last post: "Bailout ignores homeowners"

Home Foreclosures have officially been suspended through the holidays.


Merry Christmas everybody. Fannie and Freddie don't want to ruin the Christmas Shopping Spirit by throwing you out on your ass.

I'm a little cynical here, because this type of action was not hard. The government Owns Fannie and Freddie now, and it costs zero dollars to issue a moratorium on foreclosures. The only excuse for waiting a month is confusion, incompetence and ignorance to the problems average people face.

I know not everybody can afford their mortgages, I'm sure some did get in over their head. But 279,561 people lost their homes this past month, that's 25% higher than last October, that's an increase of 70,000 people, I'll bet some were victims of adjustable rates, predatory schemes, crappy real estate markets, etc.

I guess I'm glad they're doing something.

Bailout ignores homeowners.

Remember when we passed the bailout everyone thought it was a good idea to keep people in their homes. Banks made bad loans to people who couldn't pay them back, but we could renegotiate those loans into something people can afford. If people can pay something toward their mortgage the loans are not as worthless or "toxic" as they called them in the news. It's a bottom up approach, don't just buy garbage loans from the banks, make it so borrowers can pay the banks back and keep those mortgages from defaulting.

Well, that didn't happen and in October 279,561 people lost their homes. That is a failure of government. We never set up a system to deal with foreclosures. It's not like this was sudden, it takes a few months to kick somebody out of their home. I'm sure many many of those people were trying to play by the rules, and could have renegotiated their loans and paid them off. That's a 5% increase from the previous month and a 25% increase from October 2007. Every month that we let 'loans' become 'bad debt' we are just draining money out of the economy and creating more uncertainty.

Party First or Country First
The Bush years were ruled by party politics. After Every crisis, the first question they asked was "How can we use this to make the Republicans look good and the Democrats look bad". And there was a dogmatic reliance on conservative ideals (like private mercenaries in Iraq who get paid more than our military)

I hope moving forward we can build consensus instead of battling over turf wars. Because that's why people disapprove of congress more than bush, because there's always some ideological stalemate, and some party line rivalry. And nothing got done. We need solutions, this is not a game. Let's agree where we can.

The Economy Grows Like Crazy Amid High Taxes

Not that taxes should be raised in an economic depression, but the idea that lower taxes makes the economy better is false.

"High taxes create an incentive to reinvest profits into the business for long-term growth. With high taxes, the only way to retain the bulk of the wealth created by a business is by reinvesting it in the business -- in plants, equipment, staff, research and development, new products and all the rest."


It's a simple argument, based on historical trends in the US. It makes perfect logical sense. The 'trickle-down' idea of cutting taxes and giving benefits to the rich just encourages saving and stockpiling cash, while higher tax rates encourages reinvestment in the business and writing it off on your taxes.

Drew said something along these lines in a previous post, and I see the same situation since I'm self-employed.

I just don't think taxes as the root of all evil, especially when healthcare is a bigger problem and expense for me and my business. And I do think it's patriotic to pitch in and help the country as a whole.

Just a thought.

Obama and his team have used the Internet very well to engage supporters in the campaign, will that idea carry through to the presidency? Will the new administration use the web to engage citizens, help us be more aware, and more active in the government? Obama has consistently called on us to be active. He says that change will happen only if we work together. It's not about what Obama can accomplish, it's what WE can accomplish as a nation. Inclusiveness is a common theme for Obama, and it looks like he's going to stick to that as president.

I think using the internet to keep people engaged and informed about their government is an excellent idea. And it reminds me of FDR's fireside chats on the radio during the depression.

There have been a few articles on this topic, here's a recent update, the campaign announces they will do a weekly youtube update.

I hope this should go way beyond youtube, but this is a good sign.

A Few Reasons to Believe that this time is Different

I'm optimistic.

Of course we can't expect the politicians to solve our problems for us... But Barack Obama knows that too.

This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

We will only solve our problems by working together, the government, the citizens, Republicans and Democrats. Barack Obama knows this too.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.... Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.... while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress... And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too

It's about the power and determination of a unified American people.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

This next quote puts everything in perspective. He talked about the 106 year old woman who voted yesterday, and all the things she's witnessed in America over the past century.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

_______________________

He may not agree with me on every policy decision. I'll probably have to sign some petitions and make some phone calls along the way to urge him to take my opinion into account. But we do agree on the fundamentals of this country, and the idea that an honest and thoughtful democracy will reach the best policies over time.

Progress happens when we all work together, when we take a hands on approach, and make it our responsibility to achieve a brighter future for our children.

I thought the speeches by McCain and Obama last night ended this campaign in a very good way. There are big problems ahead, but I expect those challenges to make us stronger in the end.

I really hate our election system. I don't mean to be a downer, but this whole Electoral College, Winner take All, TV propaganda, legalized bribery, 2 party aristocracy crap... That's what really gets to me.

I'm supporting the Working Families party, they work for my issues, and they aren't corrupted by power and money like the major 2 parties. America deserves better. I vote for my values and for a healthy democracy.

Working Families Party

but Voting isn't enough, we have to put pressure on the politicians AFTER the election. There's more to democracy than voting every 4 years. Call and complain, make sure they know what issues are important to you. No matter who gets elected, they won't make our wildest dreams come true, that's up to us. We have to make sure the government is doing its job, supporting the will of its citizens. They're our employees, it's our power, not theirs. Call and remind them :) often.

Hey Everyone, I had a lot of fun last night. I was pretty surprised we didn't leave till 3:30! That's like 6 hours of (e:strip) goodness!

It was great to meet some people in person finally, like Jason, Josh, Drew, Janelle, Heidi... Didn't get a change to talk to some people as much as I'd wanted, I guess you'll just have to come to our housewarming party in the next few months. It was also nice to see some familiar faces. The (e:strip) Halloween party is becoming one of my favorite traditions. For those who missed it, I hope you had a good excuse ;)

I didn't take a lot of pictures but some of them are fun. Enjoy!



Democracy's outcasts?


Nice decorations


The Comment Bubble, (e:tinypliny,46460) She's so clever




Superhoro in a basket! magic..



Then we went on the Roof!


Molly pulled it off in the dress! Always rustic. There was no light in the attic, half a floor, and a ladder that didn't go all the way to the top, not an easy task. But worth the trip :)









Only 2am

________________________________________

A few pics from last weekend...

I didn't post them before because I wanted my costume to be a surprise! Don't be jealous, the (e:strip) party was honestly the most fun :)


Saturday at the Central Terminal, lots of costumes, horrible acoustics, not really worth the money, but fun anyway.


Putting our differences aside.




(e:mmtornow) + Bubble Wrap Shawl, it was cold and windy last weekend.


this costume was so awesome, she's a marionette puppet, I hope they won.



Last Friday was the Nickel City Co-Op party. Flame Spinning in the front lawn.


They had a reggae band, that was pretty badass.


Flame Spinning at the Albright.


Decked out! maybe one of these years we'll have a theme.


Prof. William Ayers - aka White Panther Willie


We needed Long undies last weekend!

We've been looking for about 6 months. It's been a funny journey, we must have gone inside about 25-30 houses.

We started out in South Buffalo looking at single family homes. I grew up in South Buffalo, so I know the neighborhood is safe, the houses have character, and the people are friendly. I also know the housing prices are reasonable. But when we started looking we realized the prices were higher than I expected. We were looking for a good deal but nothing really got us excited.

Then we had this investment property brainstorm, we wanted to get a double in the Elmwood area, make money off rent, and get something more expensive. So we started looking at doubles around the West Side, and discovered the meaning of "structural problems" and "property taxes". We started going further and further west to try and find something under $100,000 that wasn't falling down. No luck, but we did bump into a friend of mine who had gotten a decent West Side house at the Buffalo tax auction for about $30,000. Sounded like a good plan, but we had to wait a month and a half before the auction. We liked some of the addresses on the auction list, but we couldn't get inside the houses without without breaking the law. One house on Cottage I went to inspect, took about 40 pictures, and the next week it was off the list, I guess the owner paid his taxes.

We slowly got tired of the auction idea, and the high prices on the West Side, so we started looking in South Buffalo again, with a more open mind this time. At first we were looking near Caz Park which is a great neighborhood, but houses up there are around $65 - $75,000, we wanted to see if we could get anything cheaper, and possibly avoid the mortgage thing entirely. We looked at all the houses between $30-$40,000, some were ok, but all of them needed updating. We aren't afraid to get our hands dirty, but we didn't want something that needed updates before we could move in. Then we looked at houses between $40-$55,000....... That's when we found it.

It's in South Buffalo Near Tifft and South Park, All Natural Woodwork that has never been painted, 4 bedroom, full attic and basement, Nice Yard 36' x 140' lot, driveway, garage, 2 fireplaces, 1.5 bathrooms, leaded glass, pocket doors that slide easily, front porch, good Roof, efficient Furnace, and Water heater, dry basement, well insulated. This place is a steal, we got it for $46,000.

We like the location a lot too, The house is on Altruria St. which is a very well kept street, all single family homes, mostly owner occupied, lots of gardens and pride of ownership. Plus you're in the center of everything, the Botanical Gardens, the Beach, Tifft Nature Preserve, Caz Park, the Buffalo River, all of it is within a 20min walk. We like canoeing, and parks, that's what we spend our summers doing, so this will be great for us, though we will miss the restaurants around Elmwood. But we think it's a good trade off.






Living Room & Fireplace


Upstairs Bedroom, Fireplace #2



Dining Room, with a Window Seat! I love that stuff.


Good sized kitchen, the style is a little funky, but we can fix that over time.


Upstairs, I really like how it's not a hallway, it's a square space with doors all around you leading to 4 bedrooms the bathroom and the attic. I like the cabinet thing too.


Big open attic, the floor is insulated too, keeps the place pretty warm.


The Front Porch, this is currently enclosed but the original stuff is all there and it won't be hard to pop out the windows next summer.


Driveway, fenced in yard, the exterior needs some paint, but it has the original wood shingles and stuff which I like.


Yard and Garage, Partly shaded yard, but we can still grow a lot of veggies, the garage needs a little help but no big problems.


From the back, you can see there is a little landing off of an upstairs bedroom, not much now, but we can make it interesting. There are also those funky bilko doors that lead straight to the basement. Good for storing the canoe.

Joe the Plumber jumped into the limelight because he provided a great talking point for the Republicans. "Obama wants to Share the Wealth". Which means, when you think of Obama, think of lazy people getting a free ride, Welfare, Communism, and big government.

Here's the problem. Conservatives love to share the wealth, they'll take as big of a share as they can get from us taxpayers. They want us to buy their bad debt, they want no bid contracts, they want subsidies for their oil companies.

We can share our wealth with the rich. But when it's time to build the economy from the bottom up, that's "punishing success" The middle class can go ahead and bail them out repeatedly, but don't expect anything in return.

Conservatives may tell you that Big Government, and big spending is the ultimate evil. But that doesn't stop them from advocating handouts for the rich. Watch them line up for a handout, while they call us socialist for wanting some healthcare.

McCain was vague on specifics last night. He insisted that he alone could fix our problems but he didn't tell us how. He tried to seem like he understood the trials of average Americans, but he seemed out of touch. He doesn't realize that when you have 7 houses and 14 cars you need to prove that you can identify the bottom 95% of America and the problems we face every day.

McCain has an empathy deficit when it comes to the middle class. Democrats give examples of the human cost, Factory workers losing their jobs, people who've gotten screwed by health insurance companies. When Democrats talk about people they've met, you can sense the empathy in their voice, you can feel that they care about the problems our families face. McCain talks about the worries we deal with around the kitchen table and it sounds like "all that stuff, of course we have to address it" But he doesn't give us specific plans that inspire confidence.

Obama was clear, specific, and direct. It was easy to follow his logic. He gave us details. He made it clear that his priority is the Middle Class. When average people do well, the entire country does well. We need to invest in Infrastructure and green technology to create jobs. We need to lower the cost of healthcare, gasoline, energy, and home heating to help people save money. We need to make education more affordable, and we need to make sure our retirement is safe. In order to attain these goals we will need to make sacrifices, we'll have to work together, and take responsibility for the health of our country.

McCain basically has no platform. The current economic problems have turned the usual Republican dogma into crap. We've tried their way, fixing the economy with tax cuts and deregulation, and we ended up in a depression. The "trickle down" economic world view has no credibility. We need a government that makes it easier for the middle class to pay their bills, we need specific plans, targeted at average Americans.

Americans are worried, and they have no confidence in the free market to save them. People saw the government spend a trillion dollars on Wall Street, now average people want to know when they are going to catch a break, when is the government going to invest more in its people, what is the plan, is it going to work? It's time for a new New Deal, that focuses on the majority of Americans, not just the rich elite.