[Gatorac]

I think this whole blame game thing is a bit shifted. At least in my area. In my area the issue was real estate speculation. It drove property values up so fast it was ridiculous. Too many homes were being bought not by the end user. It was the same situation that caused the stock market crash of the 30's. In the 30's people bought stock on margin because it seemed it was a sure thing. When you buy a house with a mortgage that you only intend on selling in 6 months, you are doing the same thing as buying a stock on margin. When the market moves against you, your F'd. We are all now F'd.

The new construction industry became such a huge part of our local economy. Now that it is gone, so are the jobs. The rental market is gone now. If you own rental propeties, you are screwed. Many of these rental properties are now being given back to the bank too. It used to be you could rent a duplex out without even putting a sign up. Now it's a ghost town.

The government did nothing to stop the speculation.

I am a small business owner (11 years) who owns 3 rental propeties. I never bought a property with the intent to turn it over quickly. I never accepted an adjustable mortgage. I've run my business using a minimal amount of credit. I've had to lay off 5 people in the past year. I may not have jobs for the rest of them soon. If another tenant moves out, I will not be able to pay for the taxes and insurance on the property. The mortgage payment is easy. One of the properties doesn't even have a mortgage on it.

Having to let a spectacular employee go do to lack of work is awful. The package they are proposing will do nothing to help us here. Blaming this party or that will do nothing to help either.

Have a nice day.