Hardship: Home foreclosures

The ugly fangs of more than two decades of economic depression have sunken deep into family pocketbooks everywhere. Its destructive effects have forced many into a myriad of delinquencies literally struggling to endure the hard times.

Families face daily hardship juggling stagnant income with the same results on every trip. This and other familial hardship as imperial Capital Hill sashays in confusion or aloofness or both.

For the adversely affected families, it’s a heightened anxiety of impending loss of the last family property and homelessness. What’s the root cause of this mounting familial mess?

It’s the depressed economy!

Recalled that the housing market condition is usually the strongest indicator of economic conditions anywhere. The NMI is no exception! It gives clear indication how the average family is doing in terms of their pocketbooks. When there’s a parade of foreclosures and delinquencies you know the ugly offshoots of a depressed economy begins to show its face.

Aloofness: The apathy or disconnect from the Hill has turned skepticism and frustration into an unusual personal serenity—no longer miffed—of the obvious negligence in perpetuity. My fear is the next transition: helplessness to hopelessness. It still is about the economy, stupid!

The housing board recently noted the high delinquency rate in its various housing programs to the tune of $2.9 million. This confirms housing as the single vital economic indicator at home.

I know that many of the more than 600 folks fired in recent past from their political jobs for marching to a different piper are part of this group. Obviously, the instant loss of jobs sent these folks crash landing in hard times incapable of paying the first family home. Slowly, the road to foreclosure is the only path out.

The political system feeds upon corruption and helplessness hiring people without skills. The more responsible alternative would have been to funnel them through the Civil Service System where they could engage in skills acquisition. Win, lose or draw at least they have something marketable under their belt that ensures them meaningful employment.

Culprit: Foreclosures also raise questions about the conduct among banks or loaning institutions on the disposition of this issue. Were foreclosures enforced even when the homes are halfway paid? Were efforts taken to assist the person in his quest to make-up payment, e.g., find a job? Is foreclosure the only final answer? Was the human side to homeownership taken into full view for families experiencing financial hardship? Isn’t homeownership the dream of every family?

There’s no easy answer to this and other urgent familial hardship. That imperial Capital Hill is aloof or dazed or both aren’t excuses to ignore the plight of adversely affected families that may be displaced altogether. Let’s see how it addresses the mounting housing issue. Is there anything cooking in the kitchen to resolve this issue?

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Policy that benefits all! When considering policy issues, it is important to know that the decision must benefit the majority of the people you represent. There are a lot of benefits searching for common ground and civility especially in bad times. To do otherwise is to perversely create a privileged class of haves versus have nots that dooms those that are clearly disadvantaged forcing them into poverty and hopelessness.

Mind you, the recent decision by senators to pad their wallets with $2,500 per month to cover additional expenses fostered a class unto itself. You only took care of your living expenses at the expense of the rest of us who had to deal with over 20 years of no salary increases. It’s a policy decision that pushes the disadvantaged further down the abyss of poverty. Did you forget that your double negligence has resulted in home delinquencies, foreclosures and inability of families to meet obligations?

Deductibles: It’s hard enough dealing with health deductible we all must pay when seeking medical help at CHC of some $1-$2,000 a year depending on family size. That it is too steep would simply translate into people postponing seeking medical help.

This in turn translates into a more sickly population because deductibles are too expensive against family income the latter stuck without any increase for more than two decades now. Am I making any sense to our men of wisdom on imperial Capital Hill? Who says healthcare cost is inexpensive?

Help for veterans: When two of our young men were killed in Iraq in recent past, the island came out in droves to greet them in appreciation for their gallantry and courage. We showed our solemn appreciation for their courage and ultimate sacrifice.

Veterans who made it out of war zones in Iraq, the Gulf and Afghanistan are home safely. But they also came back suffering from a psychological scar known as PTSD. It’s a dangerous situation in the sense that throughout the week they engage in an abrupt imaginative battlefield. Even more dangerous is the unpredictability of their behavior with loved ones or themselves for that matter. They certainly need help!

Yes, most have sought help from local agencies and health professionals. But the services available for psychological treatment are scarce or inadequate. And so it’s back to square one where they engage trying to figure out why a certain instant fear, a flashback of being back in battle. It’s a tough cookie unless they face real experts on PTSD. What have we done to improve this service for those of our own that really need this help?

I know the scandals rendered veterans across the country that waited and waited until death for medical attention. Even the man appointed to the VA post resigned when more denials were discovered against veterans.

Between the NMI, Guam, and Hawaii people assigned to assist veterans must meet forthwith to bring this matter to D.C. Your comrades need help, now!

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Why is our plan written on sand?