Pre-position Medical Equipment

The military does an excellent job in assessing the international political situation and then amassing and prepositioning stockpiles of equipment at offshore bases. Then, should the should the need arise, there is little or no lag time getting troops and equipment into action. In addition the several branches of the Armed Forces maintain domestic supply depots. The Defense Supply Agency  (https://www.dla.mil ) maintains numerous depots in the contiguous 48 states. This is where we drew material for worldwide aid assisting in relief for worldwide, devastating natural disasters.

The coronavirus has clearly demonstrated that the country, operating in a for profit medical system is utterly unprepared to meet the crisis of a medical pandemic of this magnitude. By its very nature no for profit business ever, ever, buys well ahead of its immediate needs, instead relying on suppliers to rapidly meet any new demand. Manufacturers do the same. They analyze their current orders, and input for possible reorders, manufacturing on that basis. But none had anticipated this need and thus only had inventories on hand to meet the then current requirements. Obviously, this was an international impossibility with the suppliers instantly overburdened and unable to meet demands. There is always, and always will be, a lag time between orders, manufacturing and delivery. 

I'm of the belief that FEMA should take that lead and do the same with critical medical supplies, ie. ventilators, masks and hazmat suits at several, storing these supplies in several regional military depots. I suggest that new secure temperature controlled warehouses be constructed specifically for this purpose. Again, our military is expert in this this area, thus no new agency is required. Of course this assumes that congress can restrain itself!!! Once we have this crisis past us, FEMA ought to repurchase the thousands of excess ventilators, millions of unused masks and hazmat suits from the states, and store them in these new facilities. Excellent temporary structures could be in place pending construction of permanent warehouses. In doing so the federal government would pour millions of dollars back into the states, enabling them to have the cash flow to meet their respective needs.  

Now, for my political statement... All of this would may very well have been avoided, lives saved, had the president taken to heart the warnings Lucian Borio in 2018, head of National Security Council global health security team. Instead he not only fired her, AND her staff, but to this day has yet to replace the staff with scientifically capable
people. Deny it as he may, patting himself on the back, the result of this pandemic in the United States, rests on his shoulders. Time lines and dozens of videos of him denying any responsibility, and instead blaming it on his predecessor don't lie and cannot be dismissed. This is all of the evidence any logically thinking person requires as evidence. 

In the wake of yesterdays massacre right wing, NRA bought and paid for members of congress... this means you Senator Rubio, R-FL, the mantra is "this is not the time to act, we need to gather all of the data"... Senator Rubio... the ONLY data you require is more than $3.5 MILLION in blood money you have taken from the NRA, and the number 17... 17 more dead because of your lack of conscience and moral character...

Some Things Remain the Same

Two thousand years ago a young Jewish man from Nazareth in the Roman province of Judea saw great inequities within the Jewish temple. He saw the Rabbi's and Priests, in return for payment, currying special favors on the wealthy...who were forgiven their sins and provided special favors. He and his followers saw great wrongs, temple laws were framed to benefit the rich, and wished to correct these evils and return the temple to serving the masses. He was not seeking to break away from Judaism, but merely see the temple do the right thing. He sought equality for all in the eyes of the temple. He was beaten down by the wealthy and temple elders seeking to retain the status quo.

Fast forward to the end of the 15th century and a young German monk saw great inequities with the Roman Catholic Church. The wealthy were able to buy indulgences from the church. In return for these payments the sins of the rich were erased.  There were great wrongs, church laws were framed to benefit the rich. He and his followers wished to correct these evils and return the church to serving the masses. He was not seeking to break away from the church, but merely see it do the right thing, to provide equality for all in the eyes of the church. He too was beaten down by the wealthy and church elders seeking to retain the status quo.

Fast forward once again to the mid-20th century and a young Black man came forth and saw great inequities emanating from the temple on Capitol Hill. He saw great inequities and wished to see them removed. He was not seeking to tear down the system, but instead see it live up to its promise of equality for all. He saw the elders (congress), in return for payment, denying their moral promiseof serving the people, crafting laws currying favors benefiting primarily only the wealthy. He too was beaten down by the wealthy and "church elders" seeking to retain the status quo.

Over the centuries, when armies went into battle it was a great honor to carry the flag, or guidon and be the vanguard into the fight... as the enemy sought to capture the guidon, it took great courage to be the bearer of the guidon... should he fall in battle great courage was required for the next soldier to pick up that guidon and carry on into the fight.

Jesus of Nazareth, Martin Luther and Martin Luther King,Jr. were the guidon bearers of their time, none living to see results of their work... which in no small way is still a work in progress. In no small way all were civil  rights proponents. The work of Dr. King was and is a far greater call for far more than racial equality. His was a call for the opportunity to prosper within the system that has brought greatness to this country.

But we are missing one critical element... today we have no guidon bearer leading the way...

Rising Gas Prices

FACT, The United States, is a net EXPORTER of refined fuel products! If Natural Gas and Electricity are deemed so essential to life and our economy; and as such are regulated as utilities... what then are gasoline and diesel fuel, which have an equal effect on our lives... chopped liver!!!  WHY is it legal for the petroleum industry to EXPORT refined gasoline thereby (artificially) driving up prices... while at the same time receiving billions in tax breaks... and before anyone in this throws it back at the Oval Office... per the constitution, it is the responsibility of Congress to enact the legislation required to regulate an industry... this is nothing new... this situation of putting profits ahead of the country is as old as Wall Street... shame on our do nothing congress, more concerned with campaign contributions and their jobs, then doing what we the people sent them there to do... this stigma lays at the feet of both parties... the "prooooogresssives" as well as the TEA Party... shame on the lot of you... Gas and Electricity are deemed essential to life and our economy; and as such are regulated as utilities... what then are gas and diesel which have an equal effect on our lives... chopped liver!!! WHY is it legal for the petroleum industry to EXPORT refined gasoline thereby (artificially) driving up prices... while at the same time receiving billions in tax breaks... and before anyone in this tread throws it back at the Oval Office... per the constitution, it is the responsibility of Congress to enact the legislation required to regulate an industry... this is nothing new... this situation of putting profits ahead of the country is as old as Wall Street... shame on our do nothing congress, more concerned with campaign contributions and there jobs, then do what we the people sent them there to do... this stigma lays at the feet of both parties... the "prooooogresssives" as well as the TEA Party... shame on the lot of you...


I have no problem with corporations earning good profits... I have no problem with exporting EXCESS refined products... excess meaning that such exports have zero negative impact on domestic prices... with the exception of national emergencies there would be NO exceptions to this rule

Stan Brody ... As I see it: Real Estate Stabilization Act

Stan Brody ... As I see it: Real Estate Stabilization Act

Real Estate Stabilization Act

The proposed Real Estate Stabilization Act of 2011 (RESA 2011) is a tri-party collaborative proposal mandating cooperation from lenders, government and homeowners that will stabilize the real estate markets, enabling a full economic recovery. This presentation represents the short form plan.

Overview

Legislation to require the holder of any note or portion thereof, said holder having received funds through EESA, TARP or any other relief/economic stabilization program, secured by 1-4 unit residential housing; the beneficial interest thereof obtained in any manner including, but not limited to origination, purchase in the secondary markets or acquisition of another institution, shall be required to offer loan modification.

Statement of Facts

Since the onset of the economic crisis, in California alone there have been over 3.5 million REO re-sales and Short Sales, with the resulting loss in real estate taxes exceeding $9 Billion (the projected deficit being $9.25 Billion). In addition there are another 2.5-3 million homes with negative equity; plus some 400,000 bank owned vacant properties that have yet to impact the real estate tax base. As the crisis that the states find themselves is caused by a banking crisis, and thus under federal regulation, they have no direct control over their financial destiny. The only options available, cost cutting, mostly through lay-offs and curtailing of services are by their very nature counter productive, actually worsening the downturn. Using the current FHA/HUD actuarial of 4% appreciation for the next 20 years, left unchecked, the real estate crisis will prevent an overall recovery until, at the earliest, 2022.

Lender Contribution

1. Existing mortgage to be written down to the current fair market value of the property

2. New mortgage loan to be written 5 year reset with a 50 year amortization.

3. Initial interest rate to be the lesser of 4% or 1 % over the

     current yield of the 10 year treasury note, with an adjustment margin of 2.5%.

4. Rate cap each 5 year period shall be 2%+/-, with a 5% lifetime cap.

5. The note shall be assumable and carry no pre-payment penalty.

6. No traditional debt-to-ratio qualifying.

7. In instances where the homeowner is currently unemployed, 1 year Principal-Interest to be calculated and added to the principal amount due. However, borrower to fund the tax a insurance escrow account.

Federal Government

Contribution

1.  Employing current loan-loss guaranty formulae, lender to be reimbursed for loan write down to 80% of the original principle, plus any accruals.

2.  Lender to receive additional tax incentives to offset the write down.

3. Lender reimbursement to be treated as a loan to the homeowner; and repaid through the waiver of the mortgage interest deduction.

5. On a dollar for dollar basis, lenders to be relieved of loan loss requirements for all modified loans. Caveat being that loans must be made for the easing. "Lend it or Lose it".

Homeowner Contribution

1. Waive the mortgage interest write off on federal and state tax returns.

2. In the instance of an existing foreclosure, a forbearance agreement to included with the note, and

recording documents.

3. Waive any reduction in real estate taxes

4. Establish an escrow account for taxes and insurance with the lender at 0%.

5. Should the homeowner fail to fund the escrow account, the lender shall be relieved of the terms of

RESA; and free to proceed with alternative methods of relief including deed in lieu,

foreclosure or short sale.

6. Government contribution to be a personal indebtedness. May be retired through the sale of the

subject property and/or the mortgage interest waiver in #1 above

Benefits

1.Stabilizes the housing markets, halting the current free fall in values.

2.Halts the dramatic erosion of the real estate tax base, thereby aiding in the financial recovery of the various states, and local governments.

3. Retains citizens in their homes.

4. Prevents the erosion of neighborhoods and communities.

5. Provides the confidence required for consumer spending needed to fuel the recovery.

6. Government contribution (stimulus) will result in greater overall confidence and consumer spending thereby fueling the recovery.

Uprising In Washington

Has the time arrived for every person in the US who has or is going through the months long, excruciatingly abusive and demeaning process of attempting a loan modification... been lied to by numerous bank representatives... been passed around from one agent to the next... to the next...always getting the same treatment...even with proof of delivery is provided, has repeatedly been told that documents that have been sent were not sent... been told that the bank will not even consider a loan modification when you are current, compelling you to become delinquent, and in default, only to eventually have been rejected due to the Treasury dept. agreement with the banks, allowing them to use the mysterious Net Present Value (NPV)... thereby denying any form of mortgage relief... without which there can be no real truet economic recovery.

The "experts" state that there are some 20,000,000 plus homes underwater in the United States... "We the People" were told that the banks were "too big to fail"; and we bailed them out. These rare the very same banks which are now refusing any form of mortgage relief... without which there can be no real true recovery for the economy... it must be that our congress believes that "We the People" are too small to save...

Perhaps the time has arrived for a peoples mortgage uprising in Washington... Perhaps if a million or millions people protest on the Mall, congress might.... just might correct this massive injustice...