EXCELLENT article, with several links to other valuable information. As I've been telling people since this 4.5% talk started yesterday; we want rates to go down for EVERYONE, not only specific people that individual banks deem worthy; and the Fed will only purchase securities backing loans with rates 1% under what the average rate is (now 5.5%). And only for purchases; not for refinances, and only for qualifying borrowers. What I see that doing is #1. not helping many of the average purchasers, #2, obviously doing nothing for the tons of people needing to refi, especially those with adjustable rates, and #3, if the deal is 1% under the average market rate, then it could actually result in "regular" rates staying high. But check out the article for a more expert opinion. I'd love rates to go down another percent; but it needs to be done in a way that everyone can benefit.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
WANT SOME GEEKY, ECONOMIC OPTIMISM??
Yes, this is the kind of thing that I dig. But really; it makes sense; it has precedence, and it is positive.
In Italy, Feminism Out, Women As Sex Symbols In
I heard this report Wednesday morning by NPR's Sylvia Poggioli. Could not believe some of the statistics.
An excerpt of the whole transcript:
An excerpt of the whole transcript:
Sexism In Italy
Today, Italy has the lowest percentage of working women in Europe. Only 2 percent of top management positions are held by women — that's even behind Kuwait — and only 17 percent of the members of parliament are women — less than in Rwanda and Burundi.
Television has become women's prime showcase.
"To sell your body for a calendar, for a career, is not considered now so bad for many young women," says social scientist Elisa Manna, who has studied this issue's impact on Italian society. "This kind of attitude is connected to television, because they have this kind of model in every hour of the day."
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
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