The importance of American real estate values has become being witnessed as major banks around the world have joined the U.S Federal Reserve to function cash into our banking system in hopes of preventing an international economic catastrophe. Wall Street’s cave-in has resulted from declining real estate values precipitated by our foreclosure crisis.
John McCain, in televised comments on CNN September 19th placed the blame for that economic crisis squarely being worn by the poor and minorities by claiming that Fanniemae and Freddymac, the quasi-governmental mortgage giants, will be to blame for approving sub-prime mortgages to individuals that couldn’t afford them in areas that were formerly red-lined. This is a thinly veiled reference to the mandate given by Congress to Fanniemae and Freddymac to increase the opportunities for home ownership in minority communities. African-American and Hispanic borrowers are represented in the subprime market at nearly triple their rates in the conventional market. Let alone that 61% of subprime borrowers might have qualified for conventional loans or, based on Freddymac, minorities and also the poor pay home loan rates on the order of one to two-and-one-half percentage points higher within the subprime market.
The Wall Street Journal did research confirming what experts like Martin Eakes at the Payday advance has been saying for so long – most subprime borrowers had credit scores worthy of an excellent conventional mortgage. By the end of this past year that percentage rose to over 61 percent. According to their study many subprime borrowers might have been tricked into unaffordable loans by unscrupulous brokers.
Property appraisal methodology has long didn’t adjust for racial discrimination, selective bias, and since George W. bush has been around office his administrations version of Supply Side economics. Does, “The human condition” explain why current property appraisal methodology does not recognize and adjust for the lower values caused by the effects of Selective Bias, Supply Side economics and racial discrimination about the appraisal process? Can lower appraisals, for properties in minority communities, primarily be attributed to these factors and, if so, can losing be measured in tangible dollars? May be the failure of appraisers to regulate of these factors responsible for the slow or non-existent development of property equity during these communities? Was this failure a contributing element in the misrepresentation of worth in Wall Street’s mortgage backed securities and therefore shares blame for that recent meltdown?
The phrase, “The Human Condition” is well worn and refers back to the ages old conflict of accepted ideals like cooperation, loving and selfless behaviors contrasted with human instinct that is invariably competitive, aggressive and selfish. We are able to immense love and sensitivity, but we now have also been capable of greed, hatred, brutality, rape, murder, slavery and war. The human race demonstrates a collective feeling of guilt and agony from being unable to explain our duel personality. It has been seen by many scholars as the burden of human life or, “The human condition.”
A great deal of what we should believe is true depends on our perceptions; part one of my analysis starts with a brief study of the economic theories which currently dominate our national political debate. I’ll later contrast the dominate theory espoused and implemented by our current President and his Party with those of his political rivals. In part two of the analysis the role of bigotry, selective bias and offer Side Economic Theory as primary causes of lower property appraisals in Black communities is discussed. Simply three, I’ll attempt to measure the economic loss towards the minority community specifically and to the larger society generally, which suffers a far greater reduction in societal peace, wasted talent and loss of credibility around the globe. It is not surprising the inability of American leaders to create a fair and just society has dimmed the beacon of hope one of the economically disenfranchised people around the globe.
Since what we believe in affects our perception of reality this discussion begins with my (the author’s) statement of why I believe within the realities or truthfulness of the conclusions derived from this analysis.
My own look for truth in answering the question, “why current appraisal methodology does not recognize and adjust for that effects of bigotry, Selective Bias and Supply Side Economics about the appraisal process” starts with a brief study of my beliefs, being an individual in American society, and the role culture and upbringing has played in helping to formulate those beliefs.
I have been a principle, either Senior Appraiser, Chief Appraiser or owner operator in small property appraisal companies for the past 28 years. I was born during the administration of Harry Truman a Democrat and a man my father vilified for dropping the atomic bomb on the Japanese when, based on him, The second world war was essentially, over. Truman was the author from the famous, “Fair Deal” a 21 point program he presented to Congress which expanded Social Security, created a full-employment program, a lasting Fair Employment Practices Act, and deliver to public housing and slum clearance. Even though Truman’s “Fair Deal” helped the poor, we were poor as dirt, my dad and grandfather remained devout Republicans.
My grandfather was created a slave and my father was born, in 1902, just 39 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the usa. Dad would be a sharecropper (a free slave) about the land from the family who had owned his father when news of Henry Ford’s commitment of equal purchase equal work found him; he earned the decision to move to Detroit.
Through operate in the automobile factories from the northern United States my parents and many a large number of the descendant children of former slaves were able to become homeowners, buy automobiles and send their kids to college. Freedom meant everything to my dad and grandfather plus they felt indebted towards the Republican Party for the rest of their lives. After i asked my dad, during the 1961 Presidential campaign, why he favored Nixon over Kennedy, his response was, “the Republican Party is the Party of Lincoln.” The example of my father and grandfather partially explains why I’ve only voted for just one Democrat during my entire voting life. My parental examples are only a partial reason because the political beliefs I hold are in possession of been formulated by my perception from the larger culture and my lifelong role like a small business owner.
Almost 30 years ago Ronald Regan began his presidency. He ushered in the,” Reagan Revolution”, which aimed to reinvigorate the United states citizens and reduce their reliance upon Government. “Reagan could push through legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He cut taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it once the strengthening of defense forces resulted in a large deficit. In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul from the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted huge numbers of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded duration of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and also the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within America’s grasp.” (whitehouse.gov)
Unfortunately, many within the Republican Party ascribed Regan’s success to “Supply Side” or “trickle down” economics. This economic theory is dependant on the belief that reducing tax rates, specifically for businesses and wealthy individuals, stimulates savings and investment for the benefit of everyone. Supply Side economics only works for those who have a fiscally strong middle class, because consumer spending by a healthy middle-class is, undeniably, the engine that drives our economy. Regan understood this fact as his overhaul of the tax code reflects.
Supply Side economic theory is the direct opposite of Keynesian Economic Theory, which seems to be a foundation for the Democratic Party’s economic plan. Keynesian Economic theory, which is named for economist John Maynard Keynes, advocates government intervention, or demand-side control over the economy, to attain full employment and stable prices. (investorwords.com )
The present economic platform from the Republican Party failed since it did not adjust for that insufficient quality job creation, like a necessity to maintaining strong consumer spending, in the Supply Side equation. Add to this their past and current tax proposals to provide billions more in tax benefits to Big Oil and Pharmaceuticals while proposing little relief for the middle class. Another good example is the fact the Republican Party has no plan for national medical health insurance except to provide more choices beyond employer-based health insurance coverage. Under McCain’s health insurance proposal families not receiving employer-based coverage will receive an immediate refundable tax credit – effectively cash – of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. With Michigan families averaging $1600 per month for private insurance policy (not with an employer) and medical health insurance premiums rising Four times faster than wages, in the last 6 years, McCain’s offer of $5,000 a year is grossly inadequate. Source: National Coalition on Healthcare. Catlin, A, C. Cowan, S. Heffler, et al, “National Health Spending in 2005.” Health Affairs 26:1 (2006).
In contrast, the Democratic Party has proposed a health insurance policy which will provide affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles with guaranteed eligibility. No American is going to be averted from the insurance policy due to illness or pre-existing conditions. Financial subsidies is going to be presented to individuals and families who don’t be eligible for a Medicaid or need financial help. These families will get an income-related federal subsidy to purchase into the new public medical health insurance plan or buy a private health care plan. This proposal goes much further toward enhancing the middle class since the reason an incredible number of Americans lack health insurance is cost, not availability. Source: National Coalition on Healthcare. Catlin, A, C. Cowan, S. Heffler, et al, “National Health Spending in 2005.” Health Affairs 26:1 (2006).
Additionally, employers that don’t offer or create a meaningful contribution to the price of quality health coverage for his or her employees will be necessary to contribute a portion of payrolls toward the costs of the national plan. Smaller businesses is going to be exempt from this requirement, and will get a new Small company Health Tax Credit that will help to reduce their healthcare costs.In 2007, employer health insurance premiums increased by 6.1 percent – two times the speed of inflation. The annual premium to have an employer health plan covering a family of 4 averaged nearly $12,100. The annual premium for single coverage averaged over $4,400.These pricing is expected to rise at similar levels for the following decade. Source: National Coalition on Healthcare. Catlin, A, C. Cowan, S. Heffler, et al, “National Health Spending in 2005.” Health Affairs 26:1 (2006).
The Republican Party continues to be successful in defeating the Democratic Party, previously, by labeling them because the tax and spend Party. However, under the current Democratic tax proposal only those with annual incomes over $250,000 will experience a tax increase. They’ll pay at the same rate they paid during the Clinton Presidency from the 1990′s, a period of economic prosperity for most Americans.
In line with the Republican Party’s current version of Supply Side economics, from a purely self-interest standpoint, no one earning under $250,000 annually should be voting Republican in the coming election. Based on the U.S Census Bureau 2006 Economic Survey Income Data Report only 19.26% of yankee households had incomes exceeding $100,000. That means over 80% of American families earn under $100,000 annually. The Census Bureau survey was carried out 2006 and overall incomes have declined since then. According to the Treasury Department and Congress’ Joint Committee on Taxation, joint returns with more than $250,000 adjusted gross income and single returns with more than $125,000 adjusted revenues together are estimated to make up only 3.1 % of households last year. Allow that to sink in… More than eighty percent of American families earn under $100,000 a year in support of 3.1 % of American families earn more than $250,000.This means that roughly 97% of Americans are earning less than $250,000 and can receive a tax credit under the Democratic tax proposal.
The spreading failure of our largest banks and Wall Street brokerages shows that the financial hardships of the middle class are trickling up to the wealthiest Americans. The goose that laid the golden egg in the usa was its strong middle class not it’s wealthy. Caused by Republican Supply Side economics hasn’t only destroyed our middle-class but eroded international confidence within the dollar. This is a fact that will make the street back harder.
Despite eight years of failed, Republican Party, Supply Side economics the Presidential election in November is viewed as a toss-up by most political pundits. Why? What pre-conditioning convinces Americans to vote against their own economic self interest? For my dad and grandfather it was their sense of being indebted towards the Republican Party for his or her freedom. Why would Americans in the year 2008 vote against their own economic self interest? Put simply, its race.
I am aware that political observers with far more experience and scholarly study will reason that race isn’t the overwhelming reason the contest for that White Home is a defunct heat. These pundits and observers cite the truth that people have not warmed to Obama because he is unknown and comes off as an elitist. Anyone who was editor of the Harvard Law Review has to be an elitist, right? Obama’s detractors also point out that he lacks experience, that he’s a Marxist, a Muslim and the most liberal member of Congress. Most thoughtful, unbiased, voters don’t think any of these statements is true or could be given greater weight than his plan or Platform for America, obvious superior intellect, strong family values and pragmatism. He seems to understand, that within the volatile markets of today, all options must remain open.
I was bred to be a Republican however when I ask myself will i want four more years of the same failed economic policies, the reply is a resounding “NO”. How could I vote for somebody that offers more of the identical economic and foreign policies which have brought us for this place in our history?
People don’t knowingly choose to sow the seeds that belongs to them destruction. Unless they are one of the 3.1% of Americans who earn a lot more than $250,000 a year, there must be another agenda that is more essential for them.
Since many from the polls, as of September 16th, had McCain having a lead, or even the mathematical same as a defunct heat, most of his supporters, from a numerical standpoint, have to be Americans who earn less than $250,000 a year. Which means that people who during the last eight years have lost all of their economic security, as a result of McCain backed economic policies, (he voted with Bush 90% of times), support a continuation of these policies. Many Americans revealed during primary exit polling they might not vote for Obama, a man of color, no matter his apparent intellect, moral integrity and ability to lead. “About one in seven Pennsylvania voters said race was an issue and that group voted overwhelmingly against Obama.” (David Wiessler, reuters.com) Based on Census voter registration figures the one in seven extrapolation, if put on the electorate as a whole, could translate to more than seventeen million votes. In a tight election that would ensure four more years of the same or similar policies that now define America’s national economic landscape.
Based on my analysis of this election cycle and the clear choices given to Americans seems like the Republican lead in the polls is really a prime illustration of, “The human condition.” The chance that millions of American voters will choose to allow a continuation of policies which have robbed them of the homes, savings, jobs and the ability to provide a higher education for his or her children due to hatred, fear and distrust of a worthy individual, because of his skin color, is numbing.