Showing posts with label subprime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label subprime. Show all posts

4.15.2008

sometimes the NY Times really pisses me off

Yes, I admit it, I am an avid reader and general supporter of the NY Times. It's my national news source, as well as my way to pretend I know about current arts and cultural events. Yet, progressive and compelling commentary on social [injustice] issues it has not done well lately.
This morning I woke up to a story on how, despite all the silly hubbub of an economic recession (who needs jobs anyways?!), super rich assholes, pardon me, people, are still spending tons of money!! Thank Gawd. Whoo..I was really worried there for a second that with all the job cuts, inflation, foreclosures, and ridiculous spending on war instead of social programs, the wealthiest 1% of the population wasn't going to be able to buy their $10 million + apartments in the city. I think my favorite part [please read sarcasm] of the article was when one of these random richies had this thoughtful and articulate response to the subprime (generally not the million-dollar home) market crisis:
“I don’t want to sound harsh, but the people who were buying million-dollar houses with a combined household income of $70,000 or $80,000 were the ones who were chasing easy money,” he said.
Wow. He's really been living under a rock hasn't he? First of all, this is NOT the issue with the rise in foreclosures; I don't see too many people getting booted from their million-dollar homes. Second of all, if this was the issue, at some point it is the responsibility of the bank or mortgage company to say, "Yo, hold the bus. Your income doesn't support this kind of loan!"
Lastly, as another random richie stated, recession doesn't really affect him. Could it really be that they just don't notice having to spend a little more on food, gas, and a roof over their head?? Unfortunately, for something like the other 98% of the population, we are no longer having our caviar and eating it, too.

At least the NY Times can somewhat redeem themselves with stories on Appalachia.