The anguish of foreclosure

[Andreuccio]

From the Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...f_foreclosure/

The anguish of foreclosure

Fearing sale of house, woman kills herself before the auction

By Michael Levenson Globe Staff / July 24, 2008

TAUNTON - The housing crunch has caused anguish and anxiety for millions of Americans. For Carlene Balderrama, a 53-year-old wife and mother, the pressure was apparently too much.

Police say that Balderrama fatally shot herself Tuesday afternoon, 90 minutes before her foreclosed home was scheduled to be sold at auction. Chief Raymond O'Berg said that Balderrama faxed a letter to her mortgage company at 2:30 p.m., saying that "by the time they foreclosed on the house today she'd be dead."

...

Police believe that when the Balderramas bought the house in a stronger market, the family chose an adjustable rate mortgage, confident they would be able to keep up the payments. But as the housing market plummeted and the rates rose, the family fell behind, O'Berg said.

...

John Balderrama did, however, file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy three times from 2004 to 2006, but the courts dismissed the petitions. Debtors who declare bankruptcy under Chapter 13 generally can keep their homes while paying off their debts under a court-approved reorganization plan.

[Jeff]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

To me, the real question is, "When do they start shooting other people first?" Were I her, in the same circumstances, I would have driven the 3 hours to Greenwich, Connecticut and and shot 10 or 15 hedge fund managers, and let the police put the bullet in my head.

Honestly, I don't understand how in the face of all the manipulation and fraud perpetuated on the American public by the financial industries, there hasn't been more social justice at gun point.

Not yet is all. The revolution will be on youtube.

[don]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

"The number of housewives throwing themselves out of their kitchen windows goes under reported."

That's satire, no disrespect to Mrs. Baldarrama, though once again reality trumps fiction.

I think the American people are basically fat, dumb, and overworked. Getting through a pointless day job to plow through a couple of hours with disaffected kids and collapse with a brew or two before bed is the normal routine. Getting lucky with the old lady once a week is frosting on the cake. Everything else, outside this domestic hell, is more or less constructed to keep him right where he's at, nowhere.

I'm not a serious student of late Rome by a long shot, but did the Roman masses riot beyond a demand for more bread and circuses? The British proletariat didn't put up much of a fuss post WW2 with their demise. A lot of cynical, pissed off blokes but no mass street demonstrations overthrowing governments. They remained safely contained within the tennis game of Tory and Labor.

American rage, to date at least, seems restricted to familial genocide or knocking off as many co-workers as possible before death-by-police clicks in, not to overlook road rage, an American peculiarity, perhaps. Remember, we're taught ad infinitum that's it's all on us. Our triumphs and our failures. Check out the movies. How many American flicks champion the triumph of the many? Not many. None, actually, outside of the war genre and those are a minority within that genre. Reality says otherwise. Trying building a bridge by yourself.

If you're in trouble Joe, it's probably your fault.

The iTulips are an exception. Successful investors, by definition, have to be a minority. Could a majority be successful at gaming the system? Case closed.

Outside of leaderless rioting, I wouldn't expect much from the American populi outside of turning, in simple but real desperation, to a 'cornpone dictator' for a solution to their travails. Carlin's prediction comes to mind: crosses and smilie face t-shirts supporting an all-American Adolph.

All (real) fascism springs from failed democracies.

Who would have thought the Golden Age of the 50s Pax Americana would turn out so dismal?

[phirang]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

The moment there's any meaningful ferment, expect free HBO, porn, and pizza.

That'll keep the plebes in line.

I really feel like we're in post-Catonian Rome...

[metalman]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

The moment there's any meaningful ferment, expect free HBO, porn, and pizza.

That'll keep the plebes in line.

I really feel like we're in post-Catonian Rome...

'In the United States, the term Prohibition refers to the period 1920 to 1933, during which the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol for consumption were banned nationally as mandated in the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Prohibition of alcohol can also refer to the antecedent religious and political temperance movements calling for sumptuary laws to end or encumber alcohol use.' - Wikipedia

[tree]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

Particularly if there is a Democratic administration elected this fall, I think you will see mass demonstrations in Washington, D.C. There are always demonstrations year-round in Washington. These will be bigger -- if folks can afford to get there. You'll also see a lot of online petitions.

[metalman]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

"The number of housewives throwing themselves out of their kitchen windows goes under reported."

That's satire, no disrespect to Mrs. Baldarrama, though once again reality trumps fiction.

I think the American people are basically fat, dumb, and overworked. Getting through a pointless day job to plow through a couple of hours with disaffected kids and collapse with a brew or two before bed is the normal routine. Getting lucky with the old lady once a week is frosting on the cake. Everything else, outside this domestic hell, is more or less constructed to keep him right where he's at, nowhere.

I'm not a serious student of late Rome by a long shot, but did the Roman masses riot beyond a demand for more bread and circuses? The British proletariat didn't put up much of a fuss post WW2 with their demise. A lot of cynical, pissed off blokes but no mass street demonstrations overthrowing governments. They remained safely contained within the tennis game of Tory and Labor.

American rage, to date at least, seems restricted to familial genocide or knocking off as many co-workers as possible before death-by-police clicks in, not to overlook road rage, an American peculiarity, perhaps. Remember, we're taught ad infinitum that's it's all on us. Our triumphs and our failures. Check out the movies. How many American flicks champion the triumph of the many? Not many. None, actually, outside of the war genre and those are a minority within that genre. Reality says otherwise. Trying building a bridge by yourself.

If you're in trouble Joe, it's probably your fault.

The iTulips are an exception. Successful investors, by definition, have to be a minority. Could a majority be successful at gaming the system? Case closed.

Outside of leaderless rioting, I wouldn't expect much from the American populi outside of turning, in simple but real desperation, to a 'cornpone dictator' for a solution to their travails. Carlin's prediction comes to mind: crosses and smilie face t-shirts supporting an all-American Adolph.

All (real) fascism springs from failed democracies.

Who would have thought the Golden Age of the 50s Pax Americana would turn out so dismal?

common fallacy... the people 'rise up'. no they don't. they sit there and take it forever unless they are led... often by a bad guy who uses their anger to gain political power. then he fucks them over.

[Andreuccio]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

To me, the real question is, "When do they start shooting other people first?" Were I her, in the same circumstances, I would have driven the 3 hours to Greenwich, Connecticut and and shot 10 or 15 hedge fund managers, and let the police put the bullet in my head.

Better gas up the car. After you finish in Connecticut, you'll need to drive over to Delaware and shoot a few bankers. Then it's off to D.C. and some payback for some choice congresspeople who backed the new bankruptcy laws.

[tombat1913]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

I think the American people are basically fat, dumb, and overworked. Getting through a pointless day job to plow through a couple of hours with disaffected kids and collapse with a brew or two before bed is the normal routine. Getting lucky with the old lady once a week is frosting on the cake. Everything else, outside this domestic hell, is more or less constructed to keep him right where he's at, nowhere.

Sorry Don, but I call B.S. on your "domestic hell" philosophy. We have a better life than most people in history. The vast majority of Americans are not out working the fields wondering if we'll have enough food stored up for the winter. Want to move to California? Well you don't have to pack all your shit in a covered wagon and spend months in misery wondering if your family members are going to die of scurvy or hypothermia. Just pack up the U-Haul and stop at the Motel 6 when you're tired and want a warm shower. Car problems? Call AAA!

If we're fat and lazy it's our own fault! If we don't want to turn off the f-ing T.V. and get out and enjoy nature and live life to the fullest, then fine. If we choose to be ignorant dipshits in the information age then shame on us. But don't blame "the man" for our shortcomings, because we enjoy a lifestyle better than even royalty did for thousands of years.

No personal offense intended.

[tombat1913]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

Better gas up the car. After you finish in Connecticut, you'll need to drive over to Delaware and shoot a few bankers. Then it's off to D.C. and some payback for some choice congresspeople who backed the new bankruptcy laws.

Before we get too rambunctious just thought I'd remind you all
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-151059.html

Yes Big Brother is alive and well.

[Jim Nickerson]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

Sorry Don, but I call B.S. on your "domestic hell" philosophy. We have a better life than most people in history. The vast majority of Americans are not out working the fields wondering if we'll have enough food stored up for the winter. Want to move to California? Well you don't have to pack all your shit in a covered wagon and spend months in misery wondering if your family members are going to die of scurvy or hypothermia. Just pack up the U-Haul and stop at the Motel 6 when you're tired and want a warm shower. Car problems? Call AAA!

If we're fat and lazy it's our own fault! If we don't want to turn off the f-ing T.V. and get out and enjoy nature and live life to the fullest, then fine. If we choose to be ignorant dipshits in the information age then shame on us. But don't blame "the man" for our shortcomings, because we enjoy a lifestyle better than even royalty did for thousands of years.

No personal offense intended.

I agree with your arguments, tombat, and we have done it with a certain flair--what should I call it? Ah, real profligacy.

I'll suggest to you younger men in all well-meaning, that I look back on my life and am truly ashamed of my profligacy. Not that I don't have the many dollars that I pissed away, but that I simply, mindlessly pissed them away--they went for naught too often.

At least today, those who read these pages have a picture, which may turn out to be mostly correct about the future, and can do those things that hopefully will lead to the fewest regrets upon looking back on your actions in your decades to come.

[Andreuccio]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

I agree with your arguments, tombat, and we have done it with a certain flair--what should I call it? Ah, real profligacy.

I'll suggest to you younger men in all well-meaning, that I look back on my life and am truly ashamed of my profligacy. Not that I don't have the many dollars that I pissed away, but that I simply, mindlessly pissed them away--they went for naught too often.

Similar sentiments from George Raft:

"Part of the $10 million I spent on gambling, part on booze and part on women. The rest I spent foolishly."

George Raft

[FRED]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

To me, the real question is, "When do they start shooting other people first?" Were I her, in the same circumstances, I would have driven the 3 hours to Greenwich, Connecticut and and shot 10 or 15 hedge fund managers, and let the police put the bullet in my head.

Honestly, I don't understand how in the face of all the manipulation and fraud perpetuated on the American public by the financial industries, there hasn't been more social justice at gun point.

Not yet is all. The revolution will be on youtube.

Moved the thread to Rant & Rave due to the political nature of the posts here. Distracts from the mission.

[Andreuccio]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

Before we get too rambunctious just thought I'd remind you all
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-151059.html

Yes Big Brother is alive and well.

What, didn't they cover hyperbole during the literature classes at the FBI academy? :eek:

[jk]

Re: The anguish of foreclosure

Who would have thought the Golden Age of the 50s Pax Americana would turn out so dismal?

yes, those golden years of joseph mccarthy's lists and the house unamerican activities committee hearings. of legal segregation and poll taxes. and the delightful gray flannel conformity. a golden age indeed.:rolleyes: