An Amazing Story

Today during lunch at Bojangles a small family sat in the booth across from me and a friend of theirs happened to come by. I couldn't help but over here the fathers story. In July of last year he went to the eye doctor. The doctor sent him to Duke Eye Center where he was quickly diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his eye. This is a very bad sign because tumors in the eye are rarely found in time to successfully treat the tumor, to make things worse there are only three doctors in the world who have the expertise to treat this form of cancer (Primarily because it is so rare and so difficult to treat). Needless to say this couple and their daughter (probably about 5 now) was prepared for the worst. After further tests doctors discovered that this particular tumor was very new and very treatable with an expert doctor and one of those three doctors I talked about above is at Duke. Now he is going back to work in a couple weeks cancer-free, and enjoying life with his wife and young daughter. He said to me, "I wouldn't trade what I have now for all the multi-million lotteries in the world." I don't blame him and he should be arrested if he even considered that trade. I told him to never stop telling this God-story and he said he never hesitates because he is the most blessed man in the world.

I debate bringing politics into this great God-Story but do you really think this story would be possible under government health-care? Health care is expensive but that is why it is so good. Insurance may need changes, affordability may need to be built in, but there is a reason I don't go to the federal credit union for my savings account. I haven't found one that can give me the best rate. I don't want that same quality in my doctor.

A Great Brad Paisley song

Too Country!!!???????

I don't understand what that means!

The First time since 1998.................

Friday the 13th in consecutive months!

Another interesting fact: this can only happen in February and March!

Below is a map of the United States identifying where the most foreclosures happened by county last year. As you can see California, Florida, and midwestern cities top the list. The reasons are obvious the prime causes are people living above their means with adjustment rate mortgages (The payments go up when clients don't pay well, Maybe the customers shouldn't have been given the loan but maybe they shouldn't have signed the paperwork! It is bad business to give loans to people who can't pay but it is equally has bad to buy things you can't afford!) The other reason is job loss and last year the large midwestern cities (Detroit and Cleveland) show this. While not paying is never good at least these people have a better reason. In short, is the country going through mortgage/foreclosure crisis or are the inevitable results of bad decisions by individuals and businesses being shown in very specific areas (Half of all foreclosures in 35 counties).

Home Values: Downward Spiral or Return to Normalcy?

Here is a history of home values over the last 100 years. Home values has you can see have stayed around 100,000 on average and only increased an average of 10,000 in 1950. In the 2000's values skyrocketed to over 200,000 because credit has gotten so cheap and easy to get. We are now paying the price for making credit to easy to get. The housing market will survive if we allow the market to return to normalcy and get credit to a manageable point. The Federal Reserve needs to RAISE interest rates and leave foreclosures alone! Anything else will cause future problems even if the problem is "fixed" temporary. Look at the bank bailouts, companies are canceling meeting, advertising, and trips causing hotels to struggle and layoff workers. HMMM............the bailouts are causing job loss!