Normally I do not read my local newspaper.  If I do happen to pick up a paper, it's usually the Sunday edition, so my wife and I can look at the sales and cut coupons.  Yes these days, we are back to being bargain shoppers.

Anyhow, my wife wakes me up this morning with a coffee and said she went out and bought the paper.  On the Front page of The Arizona Republic  is a story titled "Lies, greed, fraud, foreclosure Many Valley homeowners pressured or tricked into bad loans, experts say".  Attached is the entire story so you can have the pleasure to read along:  Many Valley homeowners pressured or tricked into bad loans, experts say, 

( Toxic Waste Dump)

Are we going to continue to allow reporters like this turn our entire industry into a toxic waste dump.

The biggest problem with this article, is that is gives the reader no clear solutions to the problem.

These type of stories can ruin an entire industry.  We can ignore it, or we can finally fight back.  I for sure am going to start fighting these type of reporters. 

So here is some things we can do:

• Stop buying advertisements in their papers, magazines, news journals, websites etc.  If they can not write a balanced story that share all sides, then do not support it.
• Get involved with your local associations.  We need to rally together and stand up for our industry. 
• We need to educate our clients and the consumers.
• We need to start reporting the wrong doers in our industry. Its time for us to take out the trash. 
• We all need to push for legislation that protects the consumer better.  For starters in Arizona, having loan originators licensed would be a start.

 (soar like an eagle and be proud)

I for one am tired of having my head kicked in by the media.  I am going to stand tall, walk tall and be proud to be called a loan officer, and I do not care what The Arizona Republic has to say about some bad apples.  So I encourage all the rest out there to follow me in this quest to clean up our industry and be proud once again.