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Letter to my Congressman.....I felt like wasting my time....

By
Real Estate Agent 5660894-PB00

Dear Senator,

I very concern about how the honest hard working tax payer is being treated.  Here's my personal experience.

I have four business all tied to the real estate industry (stupid me huh!).  I have not asked nor do I want a bailout.  However, I was told that we the taxpayer must provide a bailout to Wall Street or it would hurt us. 

Golden Sachs now making billions because of receiving billions of bailout money (so they should be able pay it back, right?). Others to follow.

OK, at first it seems to make sense (the first week).  But after gathering more facts and especially what happened this week.  I now know more than ever bailouts are cancer (bankruptcy is the cure) and a big mistake.

Here's why I believe that way. 

I have (had) a line of credit that is critical for my businesses future.  Chase Bank forced me to re-qualify for this line of credit secured by my home.  I have never been one day late with a payment.  Still after four years of perfect payment history and 800 credit scores. 

My credit line has been pulled, which effectively is disabling my businesses even further.  I relied on that for bidding future projects and strategic planning. I feel there should be a reason to require a 4506T be completed i.e. a late payment or a dropping credit score.

I would like to have someone explain to me the following questions.

Why is the taxpayer forced to keep banks in business so they can put us out of business? 

Why are banks lines of credit supplied by the taxpayer not being pulled? I think they should be treated the same way they are treating us.

I still don't want a bailout and I'm not going bankrupt. I will manage and I will survivor this crisis by becoming even leaner in my businesses and even moth balling another one of my companies.  One already is moth balled.

I feel I have been lied too and made to privatize profits and socialize loses.

This mess was caused by the governments lack of and failure to regulate the financial industry which allowed the banks to take advantage of the failures (set the table with unsustainable underwriting and leverage, then invited everyone to feast on the attractive buffet) and then be bailed out by us. 

Leaving the taxpayer to clean up the mess and now they are taking away the tools we were using to clean up the mess from huge party.

I'm not a quitter and plan on surviving the crisis.  However, there is a limit to how many times anyone can be stabbed and still survive while preferential treatment is being bestowed to the chosen.

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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Mark, I think that you could do everyone a larger favor by posting who/what bank entity did this to you which is CHASE.  I think you should use the power of SEO so that others will not be treated in such a shabby way.  I am glad you will persevere in your business but as you say, what have you done to warrant this treatment? No late pays, no marginal credit scores.

Jul 18, 2009 12:48 PM
Anonymous
Don Weller

I like several of the suggestions, get rid of the politicians and start over, everyone stop paying taxes. Can't jail everyone. In California they want to tax service businesses/agents (primarily real estate agents) with a mandatory 3% tax on their commissions, regardless of whether you'd end up not owing tax. It's the government's way of getting free money loaned to them. What I don't understand is why the State of California claims they can't pay their bills but they're continuing to post positions for "special jobs" that pay a minimum of $70,000.00 a year and have gone as high as $125,000.00 a yr. My friend who works at a federal facility has been getting IOU's for the short payments made in his salary. We, the people suffer. Thank wannabe King Hussein Obama!

All the gullible and lazy people elected him. What people didn't understand when Obama's slogan kept boasting "Change" is that the change wasn't the same as everyone else imagined. It was his change to usurp government control and set up a socialist government. If you know your history, Hitler used the same methods to take over and then it was too late. Time to fight back or many will have little or nothing at retirement.

Jul 18, 2009 02:27 PM
#60
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

I think there should have been absolutely zero bailouts.  I bet there would have been 6-12 months of very bad pain but the market would have found a way to recover and the strong would have emerged and there would have been more money to help the average person affected.  I think both parties don't have a clue.

Jul 18, 2009 03:15 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

The biggest thing to hit the banking industry that actually created the bubble and the defaults was INCREASED government regulation revolving around the CRA.  Community Reinvestment Act.  This required banks to come up with more ways to get people into homes without down payments... and those are the loans that were most likely to go bust.  So, ADDED regulation actually was the problem, not decreased oversight. 

The Bush Administration tried to unwind regulations, but were stymied by Barney Frank, among others...  John McCain actually proposed changes in regulations that would have increased oversight.  Barney said that Fannie and Freddie were fine and that they didn't need any more regulation.

Jul 18, 2009 03:47 PM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Mark, I spend way too much of my time looking for money. I KNOW my credit line is going to yanked so I have already started living without it. Rob idea of just pulling it out makes sense but im my case I just don't want more debt. Business is AWESOME but the average price in my market right now is $75,000. You have to do a ton of business to make a living.

So my plan is expansion. Expansion takes cash. I'm between a rock and a hard plce. But like you I'll figure it out. I don't want a bail out. I just want to be left alone.

Jul 19, 2009 12:48 AM
Brady Pevehouse
RE/MAX Downtown - Orlando, FL
Your Orlando Real Estate Professional

I wish our elected officials were required to keep accurate tally's of opinions for / against when receiving responses.

I often look at the opinion page of my Orlando Sentinel newspaper and view their responses to the polls they run, and see less than 100 responses. I think if people actually felt their opinion mattered, we would be more likely to speak up.

It makes me wonder how many people actually take action to be heard even if they feel their voice doesn't count because we don't make campaign contributions.

I for one would be interested to see the numbers of for/against items that our elected officials vote for so I can see if the politician does vote near or for his constituents interest.

Brady Pevehouse

Jul 19, 2009 05:09 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Growing up I was under the belief that "our voice will be heard"  Well I wonder about that ...hammm.

On the other hand, you have to do what you have to do, persever and forge ahead is all I know! It doesn't hurt to try. right?

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh

Jul 19, 2009 05:11 AM
#65
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

we may be able to make a difference but it involves calling the legislatures in your district and telling them what you feel and what they need to do or not be voted back in.. that is the only thing in the long run that matters to them is being voted back in... even the strong are of the Whitehouse will not trump that... they want their cush jobs and good insurance and pensions....all the things they are taking from us... 

 

CALL them...WRITE them and CALL them again.... sign evey petition and every call to action against the ridiculous things they are doing Tell them you will not vote for them again if they pass these bills that will destroy our country and small business and our industry... act now or it will be too late...

Jul 19, 2009 08:59 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Your comments are astute. I often joke that I am to small too succeed - a take on the bailing out of companies too big to fail.  My success and failure is big to my family.  I have always been a capitalist and defended big business, but big business is in bed with the government and it is Socialism.  I appreciate your letter but I think this country is in for a real fight between those that want traditional free markets and freedom in general and those that want to take that away. 

Jul 19, 2009 12:10 PM
Mike Henderson
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

Loved your points and we should all be more proactive with the crap going on around us.

Jul 19, 2009 02:22 PM
Mark Watterson
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Real Estate

Integrity Mortgage - Isn't nice we get to enhance their profits at our expense and at the expense of our future.

Anthony - The career politicians are killing us.

Amy - If we did stop paying tax I don't believe they would work for free.  If we continue down this path they are going bankrupt the country for the benefit of a few.

Ginger - They are living like Kings and Queens.  We get to pay for it.

Chad - Sounds good to me.

Jul 20, 2009 12:35 AM
Mark Watterson
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Real Estate

Jay - They need to be accountable.

Rob - I wish I had done that.  I just didn't want the debt load.  I think it's insane to have to go those measures.  But insanity seems to becoming the norm.

Jerry - Inflation is a huge risk from the current insanity.

Cathy and Gary - I have anyways wondered why the get all those perks for failing.

Debra - I don't believe in the party system.  I believe in being a free thinker.  I don't need anyone telling me what to vote for and what is in my best interest. 

I do know the path of the country is a destructive course and those steering the ship have failed us.

Jul 20, 2009 12:43 AM
Mark Watterson
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Real Estate

Wade - I think we should use the power of the Internet to restructure the government in our best interest.  Why can't we have our own log-in and vote on the major issue ourselves?  We don't need those under the influence (special interest and lobbyist) voting our will.

I don't see either party being the answer.  I think our representatives can prepare the bills and we log in and vote ourselves.  What's could be more fair?

Brokerlady - Your right who do we blame....  At this point it probably more productive to look for the root cause the fix the problem.

Ann - Plus they borrow another 20 cents for us to pay back.

Jul 20, 2009 12:52 AM
Mark Watterson
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Real Estate

Barbara - Neither party has worked in our interest.  We need to take control ourselves through the power of the Internet.

Bob - Writting letter is good but the final solution maybe much stronger action.

Lyn - I agree.  Let all fight back and the Internet it a great tool.

Don - Our reprenstative are surely under the influence and not working in our best interest.  We have to get their attention and put in long term sane fixes.

Chris - I agree.  Why give the patient cancer before giving them the cure (then the cure may not even work).  Bankruptcy ends destructive and broken business models and starts the patience's recovery.

Jul 20, 2009 01:00 AM
Mark Watterson
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah Real Estate

Lane - If we had people as incompetant as the government working for us how long would we put up with it? 

Bryant - Me too.  Left alone with a level playing field.  Not what we have now.

Brady P - I would like to see that too and the Internet is a great tool to make it happen.

Patricia - I don't think we have lost until we stop trying.  But the government officials seem to want kill the small business.  Who do they think is going to feed them if they succeed?

Debra L - Everyone does need to turn up the HEAT!

Gene - To big to fail = socialism.  Your right it is a big fight.  I think our best chance is the power of the Internet to unity the masses.

Mike - Proactive or economy slaves?  It's our choice.

Jul 20, 2009 01:12 AM
Dan Magstadt
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc - Lake City, FL

I agree with the title... I felt like wasting my time. I've written congressmen & the president before, but pretty much feel the same - It's not going to accomplish much.

I guess on the other hand, if nobody made their opinions known we'd be in a whole lot worse shape....

Best,
Dan

Jul 20, 2009 02:52 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Very well said! I have to agree the only difference between what is happening to the banks and our pocket book is that we aren't being bailout at the end of the day, we have to figure out how to survive with what we have.

Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com

Jul 22, 2009 11:40 AM
Todd & Devona Garrigus
Garrigus Real Estate - Beaumont, CA
Broker / REALTORS®

Mark,

I'm with Larry Bettag. Love your tenacity!

Jul 22, 2009 04:20 PM
Kenneth Young
Uni International LLC - Virginia Beach, VA

Ok... commented on my view of "Cap & Trade" to our Congressman J. Webb, and it only took 3 weeks but he did answer me..... almost fainted.

As far as banks go, I deal in selling off the assest (the loans of a bank or holding companies), there have been 57 banks that have failed so far this year, 25 in 2008, 7 in 2007.   I can tell you that alot of banks have made bad decisions on whom they made loans to.   Then they cry the blues about their bad decisions and the gov't bails them out or closes them.

Anyway, it's the only sure way of making any decent money right now, so the banks go down, and my clients profit by it...

Jul 24, 2009 08:03 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Government needs to stay out of private business. No one else gets bailed out and look at GM, bailed them out and yet Saturn is still closing its doors, while companies like Honda and Toyota who aren't being bailed out are building new plants and making money on their own.

Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com

Oct 02, 2009 11:30 AM