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Anna Eshoo, Enemy Of Cheap Housing


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2008 Apr 10, 10:35am   30,120 views  264 comments

by Patrick   ➕follow (55)   💰tip   ignore  

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I tried to reply to a spam mail Congresswoman Anna Eshoo sent me, but my reply bounced because communication with our "representatives" is apparently one-way only, so I'll post my reply here. I hope it helps her lose a lot of votes in the next election.

From: Patrick Killelea p@patrick.net
Date: April 10, 2008 4:50:51 PM PDT
To: ca14ima .pub@mail.house.gov
Subject: Re: Message From Rep. Anna G. Eshoo

NO NO NO!

STOP IT. STOP keeping housing UNaffordable.

We want CHEAPER houses, not more debt! Are you listening?

Do a poll. Everyone I meet wants cheaper housing. No one wants more debt!

That means you should do everything you can to REDUCE conforming loan limits.

Are you listening?

Patrick

Here's her spam to me:

On Apr 10, 2008, at 9:49 AM, ca14ima.pub@mail.house.gov wrote:

April 10, 2008

Dear Mr. Killelea,

On February 8th, the House and Senate passed an economic package designed to help stimulate the economy by assisting millions of Americans who are struggling in this downturn. This bill provides for tax rebates to 130 million households, including seniors and the disabled, along with tax deductions to help small businesses, and an increase in conforming loan limits for home mortgages to bolster the housing market. The legislation is a bipartisan effort and will specifically target those who need the resources most. Only those who have social security numbers and file their 2008 taxes will receive rebate checks. This leaves no loop-holes for undocumented immigrants to qualify.

The legislation has been sent to the President for his signature.

The following are important specifics of the bill.
(blather about giving away tax dollars what-a-good-girl-I-am deleted)

Housing Provisions
oThe package would boost the size of mortgage loans that the Federal Housing Administration could insure and that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could purchase.
oThe FHA loan limit would be permanently increased to a maximum of $720,750 from $362,000.
oFannie and Freddie's conforming loan limits would be increased for one year only to a maximum of $729,750 from $417,000.

This stimulus package is timely, targeted and temporary and represents an important first step toward stimulating the economy.

Sincerely,
Anna G. Eshoo
Member of Congress

#housing

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142   northernvirginiarenter   2008 Apr 13, 3:18pm  

Higher taxes, significantly higher taxes, are now an inevitability as our fed, state, and local governments are not going to be able to borrow as easily and cheaply any longer. An era has passed.

Budget deficients just became significantly more difficult to manage. We are facing a situation where massive spending cuts are likely to be paired with significant tax rate increases.

Welcome to the new United States of America. :-)

It may take a couple few years for this to really begin to play out, and there is no way to put lipstick on it.

143   northernvirginiarenter   2008 Apr 13, 3:48pm  

Auction Rate Securities courtesy of NYT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/13/business/13cash.html?pagewanted=1

But even though Wall Street heavyweights and major corporations have been stung, many of them also appear to have bailed out of the market well ahead of individuals. At the end of 2006, institutional investors held about 80 percent of all auction-rate securities issues, according to Treasury Strategies, a consulting firm in Chicago. At the end of last year that portion had fallen to just 30 percent.

“A number of corporations understood there was a rising threat to their securities; there had been failures and warnings,” Anthony Carfang, chief executive of Treasury Strategies, said in a conference call late last month.

Lewis D. Lowenfels, a securities lawyer at Tolins & Lowenfels in New York, represents several investors who are stranded in auction-rate securities. “If the evidence shows that large corporate clients were being advised to unload these securities at the same time that the investing public was being counseled to purchase the same securities,” he said, “one begins to slip over the line from questions of due diligence and suitability into the realm of securities fraud.”

144   Peter P   2008 Apr 13, 3:59pm  

Budget deficients just became significantly more difficult to manage. We are facing a situation where massive spending cuts are likely to be paired with significant tax rate increases.

With enough spending cuts and privatization, we can even use some new tax cuts.

The reality is that if we cut tax, wasteful spending will have to disappear. On the other hand, essential programs will be picked up by the private sectors and managed efficiently.

People need to understand that they are entitled to nothing.

145   Jimbo   2008 Apr 13, 4:07pm  

The reality is that if we cut tax, wasteful spending will have to disappear.

That is not how it has worked so far. All that has happened when taxes are cut, is that borrowing has shot up.

We might be having to finally pay the piper for 20 years of Republican deficit spending though. Through in the increased cost of borrowing to the increased cost of food and the increased cost of gasoline and a lot of people are going to be seeing a lower standard of living.

146   Jimbo   2008 Apr 13, 4:09pm  

Through, throw, throuwgh. I think the scotch is finally catching up to me. No more posting for me tonight.

147   DennisN   2008 Apr 13, 4:39pm  

Here's another guy's idea to fix the housing mess.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/opinion/14leamer.html?ref=opinion

the last thing the Fed should offer is low interest rates. But that’s what it did — now it doesn’t matter what the rates are; not even low levels can entice buyers when house prices are declining.

The only solution is for the federal government to offer a temporary 5 percent tax rebate — up to $25,000 — for first-time home buyers.

A little bit of wisdom and a bogus plan for action. Don't you like how academics say things like "the ONLY solution...."?

148   David J   2008 Apr 13, 6:42pm  

Did anyone read the recent comments Paul Volker made about Ben Bernanke? If we must have a Federal Reserve why couldn't we have a Fed Chairman like Volker? Instead we get bend over Ben the bankers bitch! I wonder if his banking industry cronies are at least giving him the pleasure of a reach around? The rest of us sure aren't getting one!

149   DennisN   2008 Apr 14, 12:26am  

The World Bank is making noise about how the "international community" should help out in regards food prices.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080414/finance_meetings.html
How come they don't include OPEC in their "international community"? If OPEC lowered prices to $50 per barrel, the food crisis would go away.

150   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 2:38am  

The only solution is for the federal government to offer a temporary 5 percent tax rebate — up to $25,000 — for first-time home buyers.

Hopefully there will be no income limits.

I hate it enough when there is a demand-side tax rebate for consumers. I absolutely hate it when I don't get a penny of that rebate. We are low-income worker bees and we cannot even deduct student loan interests!

Those who support Democrats should get this into their heads, they think you are "making too much money" and they will give your money to someone else. YOU WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM THEIR POLICIES.

151   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 2:39am  

A little bit of wisdom and a bogus plan for action. Don’t you like how academics say things like “the ONLY solution….”?

The only solution is to dismantle the welfare state.

152   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 2:52am  

The World Bank is making noise about how the “international community” should help out in regards food prices.

They can help out by producing more food. But that is simple supply and demand, right?

Robert Zoellick on Sunday said the international community has "to put our money where our mouth is" and act now to help hungry people. "It is as stark as that."

The natural solution is to let them eat cake. Giving them money to buy food is like giving FB's cheap loans to buy homes. Increasing food supply is the most sensible option.

153   DennisN   2008 Apr 14, 4:52am  

Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day.

Teach a man to fish, and he will never work again. ;)

154   thenuttyneutron   2008 Apr 14, 5:48am  

*turn on sarcasm*

Is the food supply too low, or is the demand too high? Giving them arms rather than money could also them help correct their food shortage problems.

*turns off sarcasm*

Peter I agree that the welfare state must be dismantled. This to me also includes part of our bloated military. I think a strong Navy and a decent Air Force is all we need for now. A standing army does not need to be huge. Being the world's police man is very expensive and we simply can't afford it anymore.

If you get rid of the entitlement spending, the government must also recognize the 2nd amendment to allow all of us our right to self protection. I am certain many pissed off people will try and take what they think they are entitled too.

155   thenuttyneutron   2008 Apr 14, 5:50am  

Doh!!! A mistake, the cutting and pasting got "them" and "help" switched.

156   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 7:19am  

Jean Ziegler, U.N. special rapporteur on the right to food, has called using food crops to create ethanol "a crime against humanity."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/14/world.food.crisis/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail

I have nothing to say.

What the heck is the right to food? I can just as easily say that feeding overpopulated poor nations is a crime against Nature.

157   Refuse to buy overpriced   2008 Apr 14, 7:29am  

Patrick Killelea for Congress!

158   Jimbo   2008 Apr 14, 8:55am  

Do you even have a job Peter, or do you just post all day from work?

159   Randy H   2008 Apr 14, 9:31am  

Hey. Peter has a zero carbon footprint.

160   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 10:24am  

This is really funny. These guys are so screwed up they can't even issue a stern warning with teeth. So let me get this straight, someone sticks it to a bank for say 250K and the only warning is that they can't do it again for 5 years. And then they even have the disclaimer that it doesn't apply if the person was really under distress.

Some black 19 year old shoplifts a $50 shirt, it becomes a permanent record. How is this right?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/13/RE34101D2M.DTL&ref=patrick.net

"The country's two largest sources of mortgage money have a blunt warning for anyone thinking about joining the growing "walkaway" trend, where homeowners stop making payments and months later send the house keys back to their lender: You will feel the pain."

"On March 31, Fannie Mae sent out new guidelines to lenders intended for walkaways and other foreclosure situations. Fannie will now prohibit foreclosed borrowers from getting another mortgage through the giant investor for five years, unless there are "documented extenuating circumstances." In those cases, the mortgage prohibition is for three years."

161   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 10:45am  

Peter has a zero carbon footprint.

Huh? :)

Do you even have a job Peter, or do you just post all day from work?

I need distractions to focus.

162   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 10:48am  

How is this right?

You believe things ought to be right? What if it is wrong to right wrongs? Although being wrong is just being human...

163   Brand165   2008 Apr 14, 11:53am  

Well you see Malcolm, it's all about intent. The kid always intended to be a crook and steal the shirt. But the unfortunate borrower is the victim of a down housing market, a change in personal circumstances and/or the false promises of his mortgage broker. And the lender was just legally gambling; it looked good on paper.

Or maybe it's just easier to prove the intent when somebody steals a T-shirt, vs. when they send in the jingle mail or accidentally screw up a pension fund with MBS toxic waste.

164   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 11:55am  

Isn't it a riot? This country's economy has become so dependent on debtors that the government selectively forgives certain people with the real hope that they will go out and dig themselves in a hole again so long as certain in-crowds benefit. Punishing someone who walks away by never letting them buy under the federal program is too much of a drain on the future growth of the economy.

165   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 11:57am  

:)

I think the motive is the same but I concede. I'm now convinced the black kid was born that way.

166   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 12:06pm  

Now on the other hand, the government seems to not like people like me and others here. I find it a little too coincidental that the rebate checks cut off at an income just a little below my income for last year. It's a little strange that after mouthing off here about how we were going to do the unthinkable and either save or as some said, buy an ounce of gold, all of a sudden it is announced that the rebates are only going to people who will spend them. I paraphrase George Bush, he said something to the effect that the stimulus package includes a rebate with the intent being that people will spend it and keep the economy stimulated.

167   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 12:07pm  

We must be the first civilization in history to have government literally force gluttony on the population.

168   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 12:11pm  

Peter P Says:
April 14th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

"I need distractions to focus."

Peter, you should write comical fortune cookie messages. That one would have cracked me up at lunch yesterday.

169   OO   2008 Apr 14, 12:18pm  

can't believe you guys are still posting here on this saddest day of the year...

170   Brand165   2008 Apr 14, 12:41pm  

Does filing taxes make you sad, OO?

171   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 1:06pm  

can’t believe you guys are still posting here on this saddest day of the year…

April is the cruelest month.

172   Peter P   2008 Apr 14, 1:06pm  

Peter, you should write comical fortune cookie messages. That one would have cracked me up at lunch yesterday.

Hmm... perhaps... perhaps. :)

173   Malcolm   2008 Apr 14, 2:18pm  

This year is the only year that has pissed me off paying income taxes. I've had years where I wrote much bigger checks to the gubment, but just knowing that this year it is reverse income redistribution to the banks is sickening.

174   sa   2008 Apr 14, 11:43pm  

Malcolm says:

This is really funny. These guys are so screwed up they can’t even issue a stern warning with teeth.

Well said Malcolm, I got interested in the link y'day and read it. When I read 5 years, It was like Fannie telling people to walk away now and come back pretty soon.

Leave the people guessing on repercussions. Don't come out and tell them it's easy to walk away.

175   DennisN   2008 Apr 15, 12:39am  

Hey here's a news-flash. Scientists have determined that testosterone was the cause of the recent housing bubble.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414174855.htm

The influence of steroids naturally produced in the body (specifically testosterone and cortisol) may also provide insight into why people caught up in bubbles and crashes often find it difficult to make rational choices, unintentionally exacerbating financial crises.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone which controls competitive encounters as well as sexual behaviour. ... However, too much testosterone can have a detrimental affect on the ability to assess risk rationally.

176   justme   2008 Apr 15, 1:05am  

DennisN,

Uh, actually I think the cause of the housing bubble was the insufficient amount of testosteron to counteract the surge of estrogen that was running around talking each other into wanting to buy more real estate.

I think stock bubbles *may* be testosteron driven. Housing bubbles I'm almost certain are estrogen-driven.

177   HeadSet   2008 Apr 15, 1:11am  

Malcom said (concerning Fannie/Freddie threat to walk aways):

This is really funny. These guys are so screwed up they can’t even issue a stern warning with teeth.

A comment from MISH:

Fannie and Freddie's big threat seems to be if you walk away they will require a big down payment, higher FICO score, and ability and willingness to pay the loan back.

So the threat is: "If you walk away now, we will apply sane lending standards the next time you come to us for a loan."

178   sa   2008 Apr 15, 1:28am  

I think stock bubbles *may* be testosteron driven. Housing bubbles I’m almost certain are estrogen-driven.

LOL. I would agree.

179   sa   2008 Apr 15, 1:32am  

Hey, I wasn't greedy, It was my testosterone/estrogen that made me do it.

180   northernvirginiarenter   2008 Apr 15, 1:33am  

Housing bubbles I’m almost certain are estrogen-driven.

LOL. That's too funny, says so much with so few words. I'm sure many here can relate, as I know I can.

And besides those few, I'd guess true a significant amount of time. :-)

181   northernvirginiarenter   2008 Apr 15, 1:41am  

Threat:

I dare you to walk away from your albatross now whilst values are plummeting and likely to continue on the downslope for the next 5 years. I dare you to avoid the personal losses associated with residential housing for the next 5.

And if you are so brazen to do so....well....let me think for just a second.

What's best for me in all this? I really don't care what happens to you, nor moral hazard. Let's be real. Maybe the best thing to do is put myself in a position to write more paper and make more money. Maybe I should just inflate another bubble by creating another mass class of ready and willing suckers, a fertile hunting ground in only 5 years time. Oh, the money to made. Happy days will be here again, and none to soon.

So heres the deal. Let's you and I do some *business*.

Walk away now and in 5 years you will be in perfect shape to buy at the bottom. All the major private financial institutions will be history, we are too big to fail, and in 5 we can endeavor *conspire* to form a housing bottom, we will pump up the volume, and we will slide you through again. We will both make out like bandits. :-)

Good for me, good you yew. Tu capisci? Capish?

So, do we have a deal or what?

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