July 9, 2010
OC Foreclosures: More Pain Ahead
Congress Helps to "Extend and Pretend"
The old saying..."Figures don't lie but liars can figure" certainly seems fitting in how some politicians view the present housing market throughout our nation, including Orange County.
For while our present 47th District U.S. Representative states she "...is encouraged by the steady improvement in the local housing market", a closer look reveals a far different truth.
In the very same Orange County Register article cited as the basis for this newly-found optimism, another statement is conveniently ignored:
“Banks can choose how many foreclosures to file each month,” says Sean O’Toole, founder and CEO of ForeclosureRadar.com. “Does it mean foreclosures are getting better? I don’t think so. I think it just shows they’ve just chosen to foreclosure on fewer this month.”
O'Toole goes on to say: "There’s little political or economic support for...quickly throwing out — en masse – homeowners who can’t pay their mortgages..." and predicts, " 'Extend and pretend’ is the only politically feasible alternative for now."
In fact, according to RealtyTrac, there are “forecasts that 10 million homeowners will be foreclosed through 2012 as more mortgage holders are unable to refinance their mortgages because of falling home values or give up at the prospect of holding on to their homes all together.”
So while Homeowner Foreclosure Workshops may help tell people in mortgage trouble what they already know, the truth is the real solution requires Congress to act with courage now!
It must ensure that America's financial institutions they bailed out with hundreds of millions of taxpayers dollars truly work with homeowners in a fair and responsible manner to fix the problem they helped create.
The alternative --- streets with home after home abandoned --- as has been seen already in some California communities. This is unfair to other homeowners who have not defaulted on their mortgages and is not what we want in the 47th District.
However, we will not heal the deep economic wound with a beauracratic bandaid of informational workshops.
I pledge to work for increased oversight of mortgage lending practices to truly help prevent another housing market crisis like the one we are living through now. It is a crisis that happened under the watch of our present Congressional representative and the Joint Economic Committee of which she is a member.
Please support our campaign for change today.
July 9, 2010
Education and Future Jobs
New UCLA Study Sees Green Ahead
If Orange County is to be part of the most promising employment trends for tomorrow, a report published Thursday should spark us into action now.
The future jobs likely to be the most plentiful and best paid will be in clean-tech renewable energy companies such as solar and range from manufacturing to installation and repair according to the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.
The key is also creating new ways for cities, utilities and the federal government to work together to encourage growth in green-oriented industries that in turn increase demand for trained graduates in environmental professions or skilled trades.
Let's make the 47th District a new hub for sustainable energy innovation and training by partnering with some of America's top research leaders. We have the brain-power available in our community --- both in students entering the workforce and experienced individuals who want or need to make a career change.
But we must not delay. Already, students in many parts of the world are turning in their backpacks for new e-tablets that are enabling them to greatly expand their horizons of learning into the green frontiers.
We can do the same and more but this requires leadership.
I believe public service is a privilege voters extend to someone as long as he or she is effective. This is why after 13 years it is time for change in the position of Representative for the 47th District in Congress. I have the experience, energy and fresh ideas to bring a new vision to our community.
Help me become your education leader in Washington who will help generate those jobs of the future from Anaheim to Garden Grove and Santa Ana.
I respectfully ask for your support now and your vote this coming November.
July 6, 2010
House Passes Non-Budget Budget
$1.121 Trillion or $10,800 Per Family
You may not realize it yet, but your bill's in the mail. Last week, career politicians in the House did what they do best --- quietly found a way to take money out of the U.S. Treasury for the FY 2011 budget before telling us how much is coming in or going out.
Your family's share of the tab --- $10,800!
They did it through a clever tactic where they "deem" a resolution as authorized although it means the same as voting for passage of a budget --- without having to openly do so.
This is to try and avoid the anger of voters who realize, albeit too late, that they've been slipped a mickey. In this case, the stealth wink-wink vote is costing taxpayers $31-billion more than the FY 2010 budget.
Think about what your family could do with $10,800. Now, guess what Congress will do with it because until they see fit to tell us, that's about all you can do --- guess.
Unless we speak up with our vote, our Representatives in Congress will not listen and we pay for it.
You can help me make a change in Washington. I am not a career politician --- just a simple, working American citizen and mother who decided enough's enough and we need to reclaim our voice.
Join our campaign today as a volunteer and donate what you can to help us.
July 5, 2010
Congress: A House Divided
Millions of Americans Still Need Jobs
In a last-minute rush to come home for July 4th with "good news', Democrats are even fighting among themselves to spend America out of an economic recession.
Even as the current 47th District Representative claims victory in voting for $10-billion to rescue education, what voters are not being told is that fifteen conservative Democrats and the White House are warning against more spending with no way to pay for it.
America's teachers and students want a meaningful long-term commitment to truly improve education, not another short-term multi-billion dollar bandaid.
Indeed, Democratic opponents told their own party "...some of us would argue that the real anxiety is jobs, so we should be focusing on that,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.)
Jobs are the true answer to America's economic future and that will require supporting small businesses and re-training our workforce.
We do not need to create more burdens through taxes to help pay for billions in stimulus bail-outs Congress has already parceled out with little to show for it.
Shame on members of Congress who spend years in Washington cozy in their own jobs while we face 9.5% unemployment.
I am committed to true solutions for America not more political smoke and mirrors ---- here today gone tomorrow.
This coming November, you can help me get to Washington where together we will make a lasting difference.
July 1, 2010
President Obama Calls for Immigration Reform.
So Where is Our Leadership in Congress?
As President Barack Obama on Thursday called for a "practical, common sense" immigration system that will help the U.S. economy and maintain America's immigrant tradition -- the question many people are asking is:
Why are Democrats and Republicans unable to work together to find a solution?
President Obama urged Congress to approve "a pathway to legal status" for the 11 million or so illegal immigrants in the USA while promising to protect the Southern Border.
Yet, Democrats facing re-election refuse to offer an immigration bill while Republicans argue they can't vote on a bill that doesn't exist.
Typical Washington double-talk.
You deserve to have leadership in Congress that reflects courage and conviction, not politicians more worried about their own career than America's future.
Help me make a change in Congress ---- I'll lead and champion a solution on immigration reform where today your Representative in the 47th District is absent.
Together, we can win!
