Category: Society

by Paul Bartlett


As the meltdown in the subprime mortgage market claims more foreclosure victims, I have heard way too much self-righteous indignation from the talking-heads on the various business/news outlets, particularly CNBC. No doubt about it, a lot of get-rich-quick property flippers -- trying to game the system -- got flipped themselves. That's poetic justice.

But there are true victims. Predatory lenders, in cahoots with crooked realtors and appraisers, have duped and exploited millions of naive, gullible borrowers. These borrowers are no more at fault than is the alter boy who is preyed upon by the pedophile parish priest. In both cases, an authority figure has abused his position to prey upon an unwitting victim.

We have only glimpsed the surface of this fraud. The recent revelation that the FBI is looking into the mortgage practices of Beazer USA (Charlotte, NC) -- a leading home builder -- suggests that it is systemic and pernicious and runs deep into the real estate finance business.

Category: US Politics



by Dave Mindeman

This blurb comes from a notoriously inconsistent source, namely Insight Magazine -- a right wing rag. But the story has some intriguing qualities to it.

Al Gore, according to the story, is seriously considering a 3rd party run and he is being recruited by, (of all people) Ralph Nader. I am sure that Gore's environmental urgency and his rise in public perception are factors in all this. But I cringe at the thought of Gore running outside the Democratic party and virtually assuring a GOP win.

The irony that a Nader pushed, Gore candidacy could do the same thing to the Democrats that Ralph Nader did to Gore himself in 2000, is certainly not lost on me.

I am one of those that would like Al Gore to make another run for President....not necessarily because I think he is the best candidate, but, rather that it is vitally important the issues he raises become a more prominent part of the 2008 campaign.

A third party candidacy by Gore would be a formidable one, especially if he can attract the financing he is capable of. It would, without doubt, make a viable 3 way race, but the Republican candidate would almost certainly be the winner.

If Gore's climate issues really are paramount, then seeking the Democratic nomination is the right choice. He would shake up the race; and even though winning the nomination again would be a long shot, environmental policy would certainly be the big winner.

Category: Minnesota Politics

by Dave Mindeman

Some of the right wing blogs were in a frenzy last week about John Kline's town hall meeting being mischaracterized as being "only" about Iraq..... when the official phrasing that came from the Congressman's office was "about many 2nd District issues."

Most of the initial talk centered on Iraq because that was, obviously, the topic of the day. It was ultimately why the meeting came about; and the issue was front and center (and still is) on the Congressional agenda.

However, the Congressman is correct that other issues are certainly open for discussion and quite frankly, I think they should be. This district has cause to be worried about a lot of the Congressman's positions.

For instance, Congressman Kline was one of only 71 House members that voted no on the College Student Relief Act. Now, why would Kline be against giving students a break on student loans needed to meet record high tuition rates? It would be worth an explantion.

He also voted against the Medicare Rx Drug Price Negotiation Act. Another item that any number of citizens are concerned about. After all, shouldn't a fiscal conservative be at the forefront of cutting the cost of government.... especially when it involves an entitlement program?

Then there's his vote against enhancing stem cell research funding, the Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act, earmark reforms, minimum wage, Whistleblower protection, and the 9/11 Commission Recommendations.

It's an amazing list of NO votes. All of them very worthy of a question at Tuesday's meeting.

In fact, I think it should be recommended that each and every one of these issues be given its own town hall meeting. Do you think Congressman Kline would be willing? Cross your fingers!