A sign of things to come or a reflection of California's current economic state?

A tent city in California's state capitol, Sacramento?

The story has been told on Oprah and a photo version of it is on the MSNBC website.  In the interest of being impartial, here is a version of the story as told from the English point of view.

While the photos and video tell a very dramatic story and February's unemployment figures are like icing on a really lousy cake, here's a little perspective.

As of 2007, the population of Sacramento, CA is just over 460,000.  A close comparison population wise in California is Fresno, roughly in the center of the state, at a population of 470,000.

From the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2007 estimates of the homeless population in Sacramento (city and county) was 2,452.  In Fresno, the number was 4,247

As far as foreclosures, which is likely to generate some percentage of newly homeless, RealtyTrac now lists over 4400 properties in Sacramento as "Pre-foreclosure" and over 7200 properties as "bank owned".  In Fresno, over 2600 properties are listed currently as "Pre-foreclosure" and nearly 3600 as "bank owned"

While the articles I found about Sacramento estimate 1200 live in the tent city at the outskirts of the city, I could not find current estimates for Fresno, if a tent city has even been permitted to stand.  If one exists there, it is likely a couple of hundred people are living in that tent city.

So, what does all of this mean?

First of all, California is one of five states which is experiencing the highest percentage of foreclosures.  Further, our state's unemployment rate is now over 10% (San Diego county is doing better than the rest of the state - - scroll 2/3rds down the article for the entire state's latest unemployment numbers).  With figures like this, residents feeling the need to move into vans, tents, etc., is not as surprising.

While at least one charity has been providing assistance to those living in tent cities, the state is just now getting over the budget drama and is not in the best position to provide help.  The Recovery Act and the U.S's upcoming fiscal year budget will provide some assistance with getting as many as want to return to apartments/houses.  

However, as we all have heard these last few months, do not be surprised if this situation gets worse before it gets better.

Bag or loose-leaf?

Checking the e-mail and got an update from Pajamas TV.  America's favorite plumber-adjacent political pundit has filed a quick video from the site of a recent "Tea Party" in Washington D.C.  After watching the video clip, a number of questions came to mind:  How well attended was the "tea party"?  What was the protestors' agenda (or, how would they address the bank bailout/car manufacturer bailout/bad mortgage situation) ?

Best question: How closely does the spirit of this most recent "tea party" match the original Boston Tea Party in 1773?

In one sentence, the original Boston Tea Party sought to protest against the Colonies having to pay taxes on tea to Britain without receiving representation of its citizens in government.

Unfortunately, I could not find an unbiased report on the multiple Tea Parties which took place last weekend.  I did find a site which posted first-hand video from the same Washington D.C. tea party attended by A.F.P-A.  It speaks for itself.

This past weekend's "tea parties" tried to capture the spirit of the original protests.  CBS posted an opinion (yeah, I know . . cannot find hard news on any of this, so I'm stuck with opinion) piece on how last weekend's "parties" came about.

Outside of trying to capture the spirit of the original Tea Party, last weekend's gatherings veered very far off of the path of the original protests.

I can appreciate the feelings of homeowners who are now being asked, through an increase in our nation's deficit (money our country has to pay back at some point), to support efforts to stem further foreclosures.  My guess is that this feels a little like trying to help an obviously drunk driver immediately after the driver has caused an accident.

I just question whether the kinds of protests seen last weekend are going to provide an alternate resolution to the problem.  Left alone, as these protesters appear to advocate, more people would let their mortgages lapse, more foreclosures would happen, more involvement by law enforcement would be needed to enforce the evictions and banks/finance companies would take on a bigger burden of bad debt.

Who wins in that scenario?

Walking Your Talk: How Do You Treat A Waitress?

I've worked in Call Centers most of my adult life. The same rule regarding how food servers are treated applies to those who place a call to a company and speak to someone like me. Everyone I worked with went out of their way to help when the caller treated them with respect. Conversely, I could tell when a caller was being rude and/or arrogant just by reading the Rep's face during the conversation and I knew the service level would be far less from the Rep.



This post nicely ties together so much of what is happening in the news as of late. I'm watching the California Supreme Court hear arguments on whether or not to oveturn Proposition 8. The whole issue boils down to how the minority is regarded by 52.5% of votes cast. The LGBT community has the unique property of taking disrespect and turning it into action, demonstration and displays of love and human kindness. I challenge everyone to take this notion and apply it to your favorite news post on HuffPo and see how your perspective on the issue changes.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Ugh, those pesky bad mortgage holders!

And, once again, through comedy shines the truth:  When I'm getting help, it's good.   When you're getting help . . . OH, NO!!

I've got a nutty idea:  how about a little of the Golden Rule be applied to the whole "toxic asset/foreclosure/mortgage" mess?  If fellow homeowners in the neighborhood helped just one homeowner with a lousy mortgage deal and is one step away from foreclosure/eviction, the other homeowners would avoid the whole "foreclosures causing property values to decline and the neighborhood to go into decline" thing.

Nah . . I'm sure someone will poke lots of holes in that thought bubble.  Enjoy!

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Bernie Madoff Victims Speak Out (VIDEO)

If I may make a suggestion to those featured in the Vanity Fair video:



When you feel the most pain, anger and betrayal over having you or your charity's money stolen by Madoff, please watch this short video about a teenager who started an organization to help those even more affected than you by lack of money and opportunity:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1eNGy6e2S0



Then, stop by her organization's website to make a contribution: http://www.grandmasgifts.org



or find another organization who can benefit from your energy, time and talent. Don't let people like B. Madoff have the final say in how you lead the rest of your life.
About Bernard Madoff
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost