Almost Criminal

This mortgage problem has created a whole new crop of near criminals. These are the people who have decided that, under the mask of the current housing crisis, to just walk away from their current mortgages (See Full Story). This is not because they can't pay; but, instead, because they have decided that they just want out of their existing mortgage contracts so they can get lower rates without the cost of refinancing. Some experts think as many as 50 percent of those demanding adjustments to their current mortgages are faking their potential foreclosure status. Then, on top of that, there are services that are ready and willing to aid and abet them (See www.walkaway.com) in their near criminal activity. Often, they elect not using these services, they simply stop making their payments to force their mortgage lender to come to the table and give them favorable rates. Given the current economic situation and that banks and mortgage lenders are almost on their knees from being laden with bad mortgages, people pulling these stunts are in the drivers seat because those companies can't afford anymore bad assets from foreclosure.

To some extent, I blame our politicians from creating this situation; especially Barack Obama and his "mother" government campaign pledges. There is a psychological belief, on the part of some, that there is no reason to take personal responsibility for their lives. Note this video in which an Obama supporter, following Obama's win, is clearing saying she won't have to work, or pay for her mortgage, or put gas in her car or, I'm sure, hold herself accountable for anything in her life (See YouTube video). That's because Obama will personally take care of her. I guess this is the new mindset of America; the change we can expect from our next President.

I think there's another problem of a similar sort in paying taxes. If you watch cable news long enough, each day, you will see a whole host of advertisements from companies that specifically target individuals who haven't paid their taxes. You hear things like "Maggie May owed $150,000 in back taxes and thanks to Screw-the-Goverment, No-Taxes, Inc., she settled with the IRS for $5,000." Of course, they don't label themselves as "Screw-the-Government" companies, but they should. That's what they are in business to do. Just like those who are forgoing mortgage payments, you have to wonder if these TV ads are contributing to a whole society of non-taxpayers. Certainly, the most famous case was Wesley Snipes who just stopped paying his taxes. He owed $11 million dollars but was acquitted of tax evasion (See Full Story) .

You don't think that sends a message!

We are a society that has become less and less responsible for our own actions. You can see it in the two instances that I have shown above. You can see it in our school systems. You can see it in the decisions by the criminal courts to let people out on the streets to rob and kill again. That's a liberal mindset that seems to think that no one should be responsible for their own actions. It's society's fault and never the guy doing the robbing or killing. It's Wall Street's fault. It's the mortgage company's fault. It's the IRS's fault. It's always someone else's fault. This is a very dangerous path that we are on. The America that was... may never be again. Just mark my words.