Talkback: Heroes of the economy
Do you know any heroes of the economy? Someone like Leonard Abess, the Miami banker who shared his $60 million bonus with his employees? Or maybe someone acting on a smaller scale to help those suffering during this recession. Maybe you? If so, post your recommendation in the comments section below or email realstories@cnnmoney.com. Your nominee could be profiled in an upcoming CNNMoney.com article.
We are not looking for the big names that everyone already knows about. We want to hear about everyday people making a difference in their communities.
Rob Katz is a putz!
What the other reader said was true, he is no hero rather he is taking money out of the employees pockets to make his own bonus and those on the executive level.
I do not think there is anyone that will say cutting the pay of a person who is already at bottom poverty levels is a good thing to do for the economy.
Rob, how about you give up that 2.5 million and give it back to the employees like the other guy did with 60 million??
These other people are doing positive things for their employees and others where Rob Katz is doing what is his and the uber rich’s best interest. Boycott Vail Resorts!
Rob Katz is definately no hero, as mentioned by others he has cut his salary but is still scheduled to receive $2,526,141 (look it up) in other compensations. While employees who make $8 an hour struggle as they make even less by his pay cuts, he is still flying the private jet and making hand over fist of cash.
They cut out all 401K matches so they obviously do not care about employees futures, but expect employees not to be put off by all the cuts when the company still posted great profits. This is nothing more than a man and his ego who is putting the stockholders above the employees who make the comapny what it is.
Chris Martenson crash course is incredibly balanced and insightful. His ability to articulate and describe fairly complicated economic ideas simply should be applauded. I watch his course and I am amazed at how easily I understood and remembered what I watched. This is really excellent work.
I just finished the Crash Course at ChrisMartenson.com
The Crash Course attempts to tie together three topics in the news today; the economy, energy and the environment. Dr. Chris Martenson, who has a PhD. in neurotoxicology and an MBA from Cornell, developed the course based on years of research.
The early chapters focus on how money is generated in our debt based money supply, and explains about asset bubbles. Peak oil is also discussed in later chapters, along with environmental degradation. A common thread is the exponential growth evident in the economy, energy, and the environment, in the face of limited resources. Dr. Albert Bartlett, University Colorado-Boulder, also explains exponential growth in his lectures. Exponential growth is summarized by the “rule of 70″; seventy divided by the annualized rate of growth determines the doubling time. While a 3.5% annual growth rate might not sound like much, it means a doubling will occur in 20 years.
This course concludes that the we’re living in an exciting time of change, and that the next 20 years will be completely different than the last 20 years. The U.S. is accumulating debt at an exponential rate, while it is becoming physically impossible for future generations to repay the debt. The U.S. reached peak oil production in 1970, and the world has reached, or will reach peak production in the near future. While the issue of global warming is not explicitly addressed, the rate of resource depletion will require us to burn lower BTU (dirtier) coals to meet our energy demand.
We do live in trying times and it’s foolish not to believe that a fundamental shift must occur in our society. It is my opinion that everyone needs to watch the Crash Course, especially our politicians, who expect to re-inflate the asset bubble and to return to the previous years of prosperity.
Rob Katz lives NOWHERE NEAR Vail. He picked up the entire company and moved it to a Denver suburb so his kids could attend a ritzy private school.
They don’t mention how much money he has made in stock bonuses. This guy isn’t going poor any time soon, and rather than CUT the pay of people making nothing, he could have just cut exec salaries.
This guy is no hero, but kudos to the Vail Resorts PR department for making him look good by putting him with these other people who are actually struggling and helping.
Youtube user “walstreetpro” is my hero in this economy for encouraging everyone to shop locally and buy American!
For his honesty, integrity, comprehension of fundamentals, and ability to explain the complex in ways ordinary people can understand, Karl Denninger.
A seriously upstanding guy the likes of which you nice Americans should be voting for to be President and members of your Government (yes that goes for us too). You (and us too) have a lot of such people available to you, but their absence from the political and economics sphere is rather noticeable.
How have we ended up with such a predominance of corrupt criminal idiots in Politics and Finance, all around the World?
Karl Denninger for his extensive knowledge of the capital markets coupled with his in depth analysis of the events as they unfold in the current economic crisis.
Chris Martenson at chrismartenson.com.
Taking his Crash Course really opened my eyes to what is going on in this country. Everyone should visit his site to learn the truth!
I recommend Chris Martenson, he was able to see this crisis back in 2005 and has opened up millions of people’s eyes across the world to think of economics in entirely new ways, I hope CNN profiles him so that he gets the attention of President Obama.
Chris Martenson is my nomination for Heros of the Economy.
http://www.chrismartenson.com/
Mr. Martenson is a scientist who has done an incredible amount of research surrounding the state of our broken economy and is now providing this information, free of charge, to the public as a service to help each of us to make the important decisions we are faced with. His efforts provide those of us who are not economists with an accurate picture of how this catastrophy happened, and what has to be done to correct the problem. The best information I have heard so far, in spite of the huge volume of explanations coming out of the mouths of the “financial exprts” who brought us here in the first place.
MomsMakingaMillion.com- a free program for moms offers education, expert advice, resources and support for moms, and plans to have one million women by 2015 with a plan to follow that will lead them to one million dollars in personal net worth.
I nominate Chris Martenson
http://www.chrismartenson.com/
He has a great explanation of how this economic mess happened.
I recommend Chris Martenson, whose Crash Course can be viewed at chrismartenson.com. Chris takes a scientific, balanced, and nonpartisan approach to the big issues the world is facing, to include the economy, energy and the environment. These are the “Three E’s”, in Chris’ view, that will most profoundly affect our lives and world in the coming decades. By integrating these “Three E’s”, Chris has gone beyond being merely a “hero of the economy”, but is a “hero for sustainability”.
My hero of the economy is Chris Martenson of chrismartenson.com. In just a few days, I took his “Crash Course” and it completely changed my political ideology.
I have faith that if Chris could have a person meeting with Barack Obama and Timothy Geithner and present his presentation, it could really help them understand why what they are doing is wrong and what really needs to be done to fix this crisis
Karl Denninger,
He knows the problem, he has the answers, he shares his thoughts. He’s helped a lot of people avoid the morass through his words and his site:
“The next twenty years is going to be completely unlike the last twenty years”
I nominate Chris Martenson, PhD for his development of “The Crash Course” a set of videos on the fundamentals of economy and suggestions on how to prepare for our uncertain economic future.
Chris Martenson – http://www.chrismartenson.com.
He has educated the community through his non-profit video series, The Crash Course, which is designed to help the every day citizen understand what lies ahead and how best to prepare for it.
CHRIS MARTENSON, author of an incredibly instructive lecture program called The Crash Course, which has taught me more about our economy, how we got here, and why we are at an HISTORICAL Crossroads. His information is delivered in a clear, logical, and insightful way. Among his indisputable conclusions, “THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS ARE GOING TO BE TOTALLY UNLIKE THE LAST TWENTY YEARS”. Indeed, unlike ANY 20 years in our history. We are facing some very tough realities, and we need to face them head-on now.
I URGE YOU TO GIVE A LISTEN TO CHRIS MARTENSON.
Peter Schiff, Ron Paul and Chris Martenson. All of them are telling the truth, while nobody incharge is willing to listen.
Watch the Crash Course on http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse
Chris Martenson and his crash course (a real eye opener) at chrismartenson.com. He provides a free 3 hour course which explains some of the fundamentals of the Money system which many economist overlook, which for me, highlight why we are in this mess.
I nominate Dr. Chris Martenson. His work “The Crash Course” is a must see primer for everyone interested to learn economics in an uncomplicated and thoughtful way. Dr. Martenson’s Crash Course is available for FREE, you do not have to become a subscriber, buy a program, or attend a seminar. His work is changing the lives of thousands around the world.
Chris Martenson at http://www.chrismartenson.com
Karl Denninger at http://market-ticker.org/
While writing his PhD thesis in Quantum Mechanics, Alvaro Feito managed to build a structured and rigorous picture of the oil situation, helping Spanish and Latin-American investors plan for the future in the face of the economic crisis.
See http://www.cenit-del-petroleo.com
Chris Martenson, the creator of the Crash Course, for all his work on getting people to understand the 3 E’s, Economy, Energy and the Environment and how they are all related to each other and why we are in the predicament we are in now, Exponential Monetary System in a Finite World of Peak Oil and Natural Resources.
Chris Martenson – His Crash Course is a must see for everyone who wants to know what’s going on. http://www.chrismartenson.com/
Chris Martenson…
His “Crash Course” really puts our economic, environmental and energy challenges into concise perspective.
For the home opf No BS/No Bull its got to be Karl Denninger and the market ticker. He tells you what you will not hear on TV and documents the sources.
Hello:
Via email I stay in touch with Warren Buffett’s original investor, a man quite concerned about our environment. He sent me a link to Crash Course
The chapters he sent were about the environment but I liked Chris’s presentation so much I listened to the other 20 chapters. I knew a lot about finances and the economy but overnight I became articulate and could help others.
Chris has dedicated about 5 years of his life. He gives his Crash Course away for free in this hopes of helping others learn about the economy. Like me, Chris has made huge lifestyle changes pre-meltdown, he was a former VP for a fortune 50 company, now he lives a much simpler life.
Chris keeps the site apolitical. In summary: After watching Jon Stewart and Cramer I can assure you that there are a lot of people out there who have been listening to the wrong message. I’m not bashing Cramer or CNBC I’m just stating what Stewart said in so many words, there is more to reporting than just repeating what some CEO says.
Take care
Karl Denniger by far is my hero. I started reading his financial blog in Feb/07 and have followed his advice in preparing for this financial storm. I sold my house and am working on getting out of debt. I am so glad I found him and his honest analysis of what is happening to our economy. I am more prepared than most and for that am truly thankful.
I just sent a nomination for Peter Schiff and Chris Martenson, but it submitted the form prematurely. Please attach this name/email to it.
Peter Schiff and Chris Martenson. Chris Martenson in particular fits the “regular guy” mould to a T, presenting a video course which is both astoundingly clear (I have never been able to understand money and banking until this) and timely (warning people of an impending crash since mid to early 2000s).
He has since devoted his life to presenting his course – FOR FREE, no less.
The American Taxpayers are the true heroes. They endure and overcome the trials and tribulations of our government and our society.
I would highly recommend Chris Martenson, an american scientist in neurotoxicology who is now dedicating all his time, money and effort to help us all understand how today’s world economy is unsustainable and bound to failure. I recommend him for his excellent crash course where basic economic, demographic and energetic problems are explained, in an easy understandable manner. See http://www.chrismartenson.com
Karl Denninger aka the Tickerguy has done a lot more than anyone else to shed light on the backalleys and bezzle of the economy; he is the only true hero in this category in my view.
Wells Fargo Bank, they did a phenomenal loan modification before the President and Congress got involved. They are a great bank and loyal to their customers. Three cheers for Wells Fargo Bank!
JB
Jon Stewart for his straight forward talk and exposure of a media that has forgotten its duty. To inform the public and not be beholden to corporate interests.
Marijuana,
If it were decriminalized in the USA, the resultant taxes and economic stimulus would bring this country out of this recession, not to mention the general increase in happiness that would result.
Chris Martenson; his 3 hour lecture (avaliable at http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse) details in full the effects of our money system and the possible outcomes. It has been a great benefit to myself and to my community.
Jamie Dimon
For bringing back confidence in the banking industry. A true hero for the economy… We need more of these people
I would like to nominate Chris Martenson as an economic hero because of his outstanding educational web site and DVD known as the Crash Course. After watching it on line I ordered 100 copies of the DVD for distribution to everyone who is wondering how the money system works and what we can do to deal with this current economic crisis.
Dr Ron Paul for telling the truth always, even when it’s extremely unpopular to do so. If only we would have listened.
I applaud President Obama for his efforts. Shame to the idiotic selfish republican talking heads that accuse him of being a socialist! Look at the socialist countries of Europe: Denmark, Sweden, France. They take care of their citizens. Minimum wage in France, Sweden,Netherlands, etc, is about $2,000/month, versus a pitiful amount in the U.S.Health care is much better there. Can you get an MD to give a house call in the US? NEVER!
I nominate Bernard Madoff for showing all of us how dishonest, short-sighted, greedy and corrupted we have become.
Karl Denninger, a definite hero in my books who has been calling it straight since the beginning!
http://market-ticker.denninger.net/
Also Mike Sherlock same as he’s done the same as Karl!
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/
1. Peter Schiff & Ron Paul
2. Karl Denninger
There are others that have been vocal, but none that were talking about the problems as far back as these guys.
Now if we could only get the leadership to pay attention.
Barney Frank for his ability to cause a foreclosure on millions of people and then to assist in leading them out of it. Fantastic
For all those entrepreneurs who work 70+ hours a week, poor their heart, soul and life savings into their dreams against all odds survive and flourish. They fight criticism, regulations and interference by the by government, and competition to succeed in bringing new goods and innovation to the market place. They are true heroes and are great roll models to look up to.
Michael “Mish” Shedlock. He called it.
And he knows the solution. Reduce taxes, downsize government. This depression will be long, because we are doing just the opposite. Hope and change dont fix broken economies.
Jim Lockhart, Director, OFHEO
He has cleaned up terrible messes at PBGC and SSI. Now, he is cleaning up even worse messes at FNM and FRE and who knows what else.
If the president turns this guy loose, he will kick ass and clean house wherever he is allowed to go.
He is a veteran and a true patriot.
Karl Denninger at http://www.Market-Ticker.org
This man has been a stalwart of truth regarding the economy and the issues we face as Americans, even as the main stream media has covered for the corrupt politicians and bankers.
One more vote for Karl Denninger. Whenyou MSM guys will give him a platform you will have found gold. No one is better.
Karl Denninger has saved many people who listen to his Tickers a lot of their earnings and retirement investments.
Ticker site: http://market-ticker.org/
Thanks Karl.
Karl Denninger. I’ve never known an individual who knows so much about our economy and so willing to share his insights. His Ticker’s have been a guidepost for the average Joe. He warned what was unfolding before most so-called economist even realized or admitted we had a problem.
Karl Denninger for his relentless striving for the TRUTH. (which happens to be the only solution to this mess)
OBAMA …oh and Geithner I suppose.
Getting rid of Monkey-boy-bush from the whitehouse is the only reason we aren’t all homeless.
I still can’t get over the fact that the majority of the states worst hit are RED states and still don’t get it!
I also nominate Karl Denninger of The Market Ticker.
No one has been less partisan given more eye opening information than Karl.
Karl Denninger. He warned about the problems with the economy before the mainstream media any clue as to what was happening.
Patrick at patrick.net and Karl Denninger at market-ticker.org
Two people who saved me a lot of money – didnt buy a house and didnt lose money in the stock market.
Karl Denninger at http://market-ticker.org/ has been on the issues the country is dealing with now for many years. He’s our hero.
My hero is the American consumer who has not paniced, has tightened his and her belt, and is quietly trying to work their way out of each unique dilemna. They are strong and resilient and should not be underestimated.
I nominate anyone but Murk Hurd, the CEO of HP. As most everyone knows, everyone at HP took a forced 5% paycut. We just received an email notification (late on a Friday afternoon) that we now take an ADDITIONAL 10% pay cut for the month of April. What a guy.
Jamie Dimon! Many of you are gasping because he is a “big bank” CEO but the hero of the economy is someone who can lead the market and provide some clarity so we can move forward. Did the banks get it wrong? Of course they did! But they are the only ones that have a handle on how bad it really is and how to fix it. Not the President, not the Treasury and not Congress. Mr. Dimon spoke in DC yesterday and he is the only voice I have heard to date that seems to know what he is talking about. Not shifting blame, not overstating his cause, just telling it like it is and where we need to go.
Ronald Reagan: for making deficit spending an American tradition.
Alan Greenspan: for providing us the debt.
Bill Clinton: for removing the onerous burden of ancient safety devices.
George W Bush: for being a great cheerleader.
Ben Bernanke: for having the wisdom to add more debt to a world drowning in debt.
Henry Paulson: for cleverly funneling the last drop of taxpayer blood to his friends and family.
Bernie Madoff: for showing us the lie that is hard work and honest living.
Jim Cramer: for accelerating the destruction of wealth, giving wall street and financial advisors a bad name, for scaring joe six pack back to the safety of savings accounts.
The list goes on and on. True heroes of the “con me”, individuals who, without which, there would be no “con me”, just people working and having families and being content with modest needs and modest wants. Nay, without these and other fine heroes of the “con me”, how boring life would be!
Karl Denninger at http://market-ticker.org/
It might amaze you what a little truth could do for our economy.
Karl Denninger – http://market-ticker.org
Has taught me more about money, markets, how it all works and is inter-related than any other source on or off the net. What he explains and makes clear should be required knowledge in high school.
He shouldn’t just win this award, he needs to win the Nobel prize.
George Bush and the GOP – without them, our eyes would never have been opened to the fraud that is the Republican Party, Big Business CEOs and the the network business channel CNBC
No one has done more to bring out the truth and explain in real terms to the American public what is (and has been) going on in our economy than Karl Denninger. http://market-ticker.org/
He’s been diligently documenting the entire crisis from the beginning.
I would like to nominate the financial bloggers who have proven without question that cnn, cnbc, fox biz, and every other mainstream media outlet has absolutely no idea what they are talking about. The following have provided amazingly correct warnings backed with reasoned argument about the demise of our economy for MORE than a year now. They have saved THOUSANDS of curious minds untold amounts amounts of money:
Karl Denninger and his Market Ticker at http://market-ticker.org/
Michael “Mish” Shedlock at http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/
Of the group of financial bloggers that matter these two are head and shoulders above.
-rufusmcbufus
The thousands of small community banks survived years while politics and regulators encouraged them to be swallowed up by the large institutions. Who never made a subprime loan in their communities. Kept the invested interest in the loan they did make and is now silently working with their borrowers who have suffered this economic downturn. Yet these community bank get subjected to all the negative publicity and constant unwarranted regulatory burdens.
Peter Schiff – Because despite the opposing opinions and everything he had to endure on TV, he insisted and he warned us, and predicted the crisis with incredible accuracy – I listened and saved my money.
Jay Swaminarayan to you all of you who are reading this message. (God name).
First of all, this is a great format.
1). I would like to thank people who take time to recognize others, which is spreading a positive energy around. so all of you who have posted a positive story you get an A+. so take five seconds and take a deep breath, yourslef and be proud of yourself.
2). Media can play a big role during the crisis time. If you take a look at all the “headlines”, “Breaking News”, it is all about someone being killed, someone being jailed, someone being laidoff, unemployment numbers getting sky high, people are lining up at the food stamp program etc.. etc…
I want to propose that we all speak up to “all” media companies that – please share more “positive” items over negative. Yes, we want to keep the public informed on what’s going on, but this way we are creating more and more anxiety – especially in today’s world – we need “positive” stories to uplift our all of us.
Similar to Martin Luther King – I have a dream that there will be a day, when most media companies will be sharing positive stories more over negative. I want to see all media companies’ workers (editors, writers etc…) use their pen and pencils or keyboad to type more and more “positive” stories” I know this may sound simple idea – but positive energy is a best remedy to many of the issues.
The day you feel “Positive” – don’t you make an impact?
When you are positive inside – You take time to help somone, you take time to mentor someone, you take time to “listen” to someone, you take time to call your friend and give him/her mental support, you take time to give a big smile to someone etc…
My brothers and sisters, Let’s be a part of the crowd who units others on a positive dime vs. negative penny.
All the readers who are reading these lines (thank god we can see with our own eyes) – let’s do below 6 items now on, this moment and on…
1. close your eyes and tell yourself, I will be a “positive change” agent and I will spread positive engery to others at all the times.
2. I will call someone with a big smile (remember smile relaxes thousands of muscles) and comfort, mentor, listen etc…
3. I will roll up my sleeves and do ONE HOUR PER WEEK VOLUNTEER WORK (OHPWV) and that can be helping my neighbour bring his/her grocery or I will volunteer 1 hour to my local church, temple, masjid, cinegar (hope that how you spell it) etc… for various local activites; I will visit a friend in the hospital for an hour and spend time with his/her; I will take 1 hour a week to help my own elderly parents who have done so much for me (Folks – let’s not forget our parents who have done SO MUCH for us) or I will take 1 hour and help at a local community event etc…
4. I will use positive words in my email, talk, discussion, phone call, webcast, blog, podcast etc…
5. Each night and morning – I will thank GOD for what I have and keep working hard towards my goals. I will see the glass half full vs. hald empty.
6. I will do things that is 100% ethical (i.e. my favorite person – OPRAH)
folks thank you. That’s it what I have.
- CoachGp
Dave Ramsey (daveramsey.com)
Dave is drawing attention to those not participating the recession, due to living on less than they make, having an emergency fund, getting and staying out of debt. That’s a great model for individuals, companies and governments.
American people, who continue to compete with fed’s printed money investing hard earned money in us economy!
We are all very well aware of the fact that no single factor is the prime cause for this economic crisis/disaster. There are several factors, all contributed. 1.Reckless spending, Reckless barrowing, reckless gambling in the wall street (short selling etc.), No planning for future productions, Rich CEO robbing the companies and reporting wrong numbers, Housing bubble, High Energy prices, price grouching, Super/Reckless shopping on credit cards, throwing stuff to make room for new once (American wasted more than a trillion dollars on this) and many and many more factors. Trust me, more damage is done not to the economy but to the infrastructure of America by not concentrating on education and ignoring the problems related to Social security, health care and immigration. How long we will take to reverse this – optimistically 10 years if we take some good steps. but my guess is it is the point of no return because still we did not understand the problem well or we do not address or admit our drawbacks. 6 trillion dollar deficit and 10 trillion dollar damage to infrastructure. It is massive than anyone can think/imagine. Lots to address and nothing has been done so far.
2008 was the 20th year of the first federal-state LTCI Partnership, Connecticut’s! Now more that 24 states have received federal approval to establish partnership programs.
• As of this past year, more than 49,000 residents now have LTCI coverage through Partnership policies, probably over 50,000 when all the numbers are in.
• Educational sessions on long-term care insurance were held in Avon, Branford, Danbury, Darien, Groton and Southbury, with over 600 people in total attending the forums.
• Results show Medicaid savings of 6.8% per year by 2016-2020 as a result of the Connecticut Partnership. Based on current Medicaid expenditures, a 6.8% savings in 2008 would represent approximately $160 million.
• It is estimated that as a result of the Connecticut Partnership, the State’s Medicaid program has saved approximately $6.0 million (half of these savings would accrue to the federal government).
• The Connecticut Partnership has enhanced the quality of long-term care insurance sold in Connecticut and educated over 94,000 residents about the need to plan ahead for future long-term care costs.
Read the full account in the State of Connecticut OPM’s Annual Progress Report:
http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/hhs/ltc/annrpt-2009.pdf
Connecticut residents owe Dave Guttchen a huge vote of thanks as he has shepherded this process from the beginning.
Thank you, Dave!
I HAVE TO NAME A GENTLEMAN NAMED STUWART MURIE AND HIS WIFE THEY TOGETHER HAVE DONE MORE FOR THIS COMMUNITY THAN THEY GET GREDIT FOR. HE AND HIS WIFE PUT TOGETHER A CHARITY FOR UNWED MOTHERS THAT DO MORE THAN JUST TALK TO THEM, THEY FEED THEM,SUPPY FURNITURE AND BABY NEEDS AT
ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NITE.
THE TWO OF THEM ARE FOUNDERS OF A CHARITABLE ORGINAZATION THAT IS TEACHING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THE ARTS, MUSIC ART AND SUCH. I THINK THEY NEED MORE ATTENTION THAN THIS COMMUNITY IS GIVING THEM.
Dr. Farok Assamarai minneapolis MN
For his effort to provide services, such as jurisprudence arbitration specialized in the resolution of conflict between members of the community according to Islamic law, as well as the marriage contract and ceremony, and divorce procedures when necessary. In addition, He is acting towards responding to all requirements and needs of our community, providing help to as many needy persons as possible, and assisting those who find themselves suddenly in times of difficulty.
and his work on reinforcing cultural, social, and sporting activities.
Finlay,He established the brotherhood relations between our Center and the other Centers in the state of Minnesota and outside of Minnesota, working towards the general well-being of the Muslims in the United States.
The homeowners (who are now being asked to pay for those who should be losing their homes) who have faithfully month-in and month-out paid their mortgages regardless of home value.
The people who turn away the over zealous Unions who do more hinderance than good (Go Walmart workers).
Villians: Congress (crooks-all of them)
Obama if he doesn’t veto the new pork and earmark filled bill that wastes $410m. The homebuyers that knew they couldn’t afford a 500+ mortgage but took it anyway. The Mortgage broker who sold these saps those same loans and the speculators who bought the properties then walked away when the downturn happened.
I want to nominate all the new home owners who bought homes in 2005 through 2009 and not defaulted on the loans.
Imagine if they all defaulted or they stay out of participating in a such a risky environment.
Norm the welder. My husband goes to work everyday as a welder- mechanic in sickness and in health and only makes $17.00/hr after 25 years at the same job. At 57 he has a pretty hard physical job. But he goes to work anyway. And for all the other persons who go to work everyday, and pay their bills and are honest upright citizens.
Ron Paul, he has been in the forefront of responsibility in Governemnt, governing within the laws of the U.S. Constitution.
The current solutions are enslaving the US Citizens to the Government for every future generation.
Because the idea of the government forcing one group of citizens to surrender their time invested labor for the benefit of another group of irresponsible, private businesses & citizens is NOT my idea of a free country! That is TYRANNY!!!
The banking & housing mess needs to be sorted out by free markets. Then the economy will be able to efficiently recover in a real way. Therefore my heros are the leaders in government who are doing nothing. The idea that “It’s a mess, so we have to do something!” is deeply flawed. Propping up housing and bad banks is a deeply flawed idea, appealing though it may sound. The good guys pay twice, the bad are rewarded twice.
Besides Tom’s choice how about Boone Pickens. One of the very few that has the foresight and is getting serious about energy. The coming energy crisis will be a much bigger dilemma than the current financial hicup. We can’t borrow energy from the future, like we can with money. The FED or Congress won’t be able to create 700 billion barrels of oil out of thin air. Most people are fooled into complacency because the price dropped due to dwindling demand. It won’t take but a few more years until declining supply catches up with demand once again.
Tom’s choice is heartfelt and so true. If only everyone had been prudent with other people’s money.
And I like Paul’s choice. Steve Jobs is someone who was taught many lessons by Life, like it has done with many of us. He has given a lot back.
The heroes are also those taxpayers and future generations who are now asked to carry the burden for this downturn.
Nice one Tom … I have often been heartened by the generosity of those who have the least. You provide another example that shows love of money is a miserable affair.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg. You have to admire a man who has one of the toughest jobs in the country, takes no salary, and is willing to make the difficult and unpopular decisions about where to spend limited resources and make required cuts. He can easily be playing golf in Bermuda with no stress…
He is the ideal politician- someone who can’t be bought and who makes sound business decisions without having to appease special interest groups. He is not perfect (large ego) but NY is lucky to have him during these trying times.
I think the real “heroes” are the millions of un-named folks that have gone to work, saved their money, spent responsibly and invested to their misfortune … AND … just keep on doing it while big money guys take and complain, and others, with the help of the media, whine about what they should be getting from all this “help” money that Washington is trying to buy votes with.
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In these tough economic times, I’d like to nominate my boss, Tammy Jo as my economic hero. Business here at our tiny company has slowed down terribly but she does everything she can to keep from letting anyone go. Maybe it doesn’t compare with big CEO’s handing out their bonuses, but I think that it’s the everyday people like her that are going to keep this country going. Sometimes we have to cut hours and we’re saving pennies everywhere we can, but no one has been laid off because of this troublesome economy. If you ask me, she’s a person that deserves some kudos for all her efforts.
Thanks so much,
~Cyleste Farnsworth