Congress should work on housing markets
I am writing as a realtor and as a citizen who is very concerned about the state of our current economy. The housing market always has more impact on the economy than any other issue. Think about everything from drapes to lawn care as related to owning a home and you start to realize that it has an effect on every commodity when people cannot afford to purchase and maintain a home.
I am asking all of the readers to contact Representative Dave Obey, Senator Herb Kohl and Senator Russ Feingold and ask that Congress focus any future stimulus package on reinvigorating housing markets. The current crisis is the result of problems in the nation's housing markets. Efforts to boost the economy must address the real estate market.
Earlier, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) proposed a 4-Point Housing Stimulus Plan that should be part of any new stimulus package. NAR's plan would:
Make the $7,500 first time home buyer tax credit available to all buyers and eliminate repayment requirements. The credit's limited availability and repayment requirement severely limit the credit's use and effectiveness.
Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent. New rules for 2009 will reduce them. Now is not the time to limit mortgage affordability.
Get the Treasury relief program back on track and target more funds to mortgage relief. Create a federal mortgage interest buy-down program to make below-market rates available and stabilize home prices.
Permanently bar banks from engaging in real estate brokerage and management. The banks have proven they have enough to do to simply manage the loan process. Banks should not manage home sales and purchases.
Housing has always lifted our economy out of past economic downturns. It's imperative now to foster a housing recovery, so that the economy can recover.
— Susan Thums, Rib Lake
Join in fight against child sexual abuse
Video release on November 12 shows the former Milwaukee Archbishop Weakland’s taped testimony court disposition. Video shows Weakland answering questions concerning his 25 years of supervision from 1977 to 2002.
Weakland resigned in 1999 after he paid a former seminarian hush money to settle for what Weakland called an "inappropriate relationship."
Weakland testified to knowledge of sexually abusive priests. He describes repeatedly and in detail how he and the archdiocesan officials did not report criminal activity against children by priests to the police or civil authorities, concealed from parishes and the police their knowledge of clergy child molesters and, without giving notice, transferred known clergy offenders into new assignments. Weakland also acknowledges that he never discussed what he knew about instances of sexual abuse with his successor.
Weakland said he never asked specific priests directly if they were sexually abusing children, even when he had suspicions. He said he "didn't think he had the right to pose a question that way."
In 2007, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that victims could sue officials for fraud after a twelve year, 1st amendment ban on civil claims against state religious leaders and the supervisors who covered up for sexually abusive clergy. There were doctors involved, there were therapists involved in the treatment of offenders, there were other auxiliary bishops, there were other priests who were involved in personnel matters.
This past August a Milwaukee County judge ruled that the fraud cases against the archdiocese were not covered by insurance.
The Wisconsin Child Victims Act legislation is anticipated for reintroduction in the Wisconsin legislature and this legislation is vital to fight child sexual abuse. Call state Representatives and let them know your feelings.
— Alice B Younger, Stratford
Shame on the Taylor County Sherrif’s Department
How could you make these poor guys cry. Now they had to get an attorney slash counselor to get through this ordeal. I find it hard to believe those two thought they should be treated any better than anybody else.
Unless their name is royalty or something. I'm glad to hear that there is finally some feelings coming to the surface. They hurt like hell don't they? Welcome to our world. I have a good supply of Puffs if they need a box.
After Jean went missing word on the street was that a certain someone told the cops that she probably took off with her boyfriend. In a way I wish she would have had one, maybe this would have turned out different.
Us civilians as you call us are trying hard to get the word out to the public that we need their help. We have a couple of styles of T-shirts, posters, and magnets for vehicles I would be more than happy to give them each a shirt and magnet if they want one.
We have no control over the way this investigation is being handled. If the T.C.S.D. can't solve it I bet the F.B.I. and the CRIME LAB can. It may take a long time as they have so many places with evidence. I can hardly wait to see who didn't clean up their mess very well and left something behind.
Because they will find it and then let's see what unfolds.
Help us help Jean to bring her killers to justice.
— Jackie Mabie, Medford
Writer offers thoughts on a turkey at Thanksgiving
Thoughts on a turkey
With Thanksgiving upon us, and shortly afterward, 2008 showcasing its final month, I found myself faced with a self imposed goal, that by year end I would submit a Vox Pop, something I’ve never done before. I strained over what to write about and how to write it. Finally I decided to discuss some things that influenced me this past year. Some family members lost their jobs, my son’s daycare closed following 20 years of operation due to a ‘negative economic reality,’ and I’ve watched the markets shrink accompanied by constant reminders from the media of fiscal defects in our country and the world.
After much thought, I can’t help but appreciate some good that came from this. For one, I recognized that local companies welcomed some displaced workers into their organizations, and I’m delighted to hear stories about new job responsibilities, co-workers, and even friends. I also realized that being irritated with this newspaper staff for not covering local stories related to the deteriorating economy and how it affected families was in opposition to my annoyance with pessimistic news coverage. Anyone can imagine how families are affected, and perhaps a balanced newscast or paper would leave too many of us with a perception that people are generally well or that volunteer, charitable or other acts of kindness are not needed. It also reminded me that public acknowledgment is not a requirement for positive initiatives or outcomes.
Even more importantly, I’ve learned to accept instability and can’t help but think Plan B is finally getting some attention again. What happens tomorrow if you can’t make a payment, the heat goes out, or your vehicle won’t start? Many people are spending cautiously these days, which may not help job growth, but may hinder the ballooning of living on credit and bring the focus back to the basics. I miss designated chocolate malt Sunday nights when I was a kid. While identifying action plans for every scenario is not practical, decision-making based on realistic possibilities is. This advice could prevent extra anxiety in your life. Going forward, I will try not to take things for granted, like an amazing childcare center and staff, because material things, even jobs, are not guaranteed.
By the way, good things happened this year too, not only to me but to you also. I wish you a renewed spirit, some relaxation, and the determination to make changes in your life if needed. I am thankful and fortunate, and willfully leaving the Vox Pop challenge to someone else next year. Many blessings to everyone at this time of thanksgiving and I challenge you to identify and reflect on the goodness present in your life.
— Jennifer Fuchs, Medford
Reader says all politicians are to blame for problems
This is a letter to all our shameless and incompetent politicians on Capitol Hill. This includes all Democrats and Republicans and Independents alike. No exceptions to any political party. I am 72 years old and I have heard the same old political rhetoric about lowering taxes, better schools, more jobs, a better health plan since I was able to understand this political garbage.
Now you politicians have taken it to a new level. You have destroyed the working people’s ability to better him or her self and destroyed small businesses that are the very back bone of this great nation. You have destroyed their jobs as well as their life long savings for retirement. You have destroyed thousands of home owners and sent them to the streets with only the clothes on their and their children's back, you must really be proud of yourselves.
You politicians take a pay raise every year and fatten your retirement fund. You also point fingers at one another for doing such a terrible job on Capitol Hill. However, you should point your finger at yourself for doing such a horrible job running Capitol Hill in such a careless manner. There are no words to express such a dismal performance. Each and every one of you so-called politicians are nothing less than scud buds that have loaded your pockets at taxpayers expense.
The American public should mandate that there shall be only a two-term politician, the same as the president of this great nation. This will stop the buddy system and greed. The American public should also mandate that every politician on Capitol Hill shall forfeit all future pay raises and contributions to their retirement fund as well as pay for 1/2 of their health insurance for the next five years.
This would be only a small price for you politicians to pay for your rotten performance. The American public entrusted you to run Capitol Hill efficiently and with dignity and to protect the American public’s interest. You politicians have taken this great nation to an all-time low. Shame on you. You give the American people reason to not trust any of you people with anything. You don’t deserve our trust.
— Ronald Graffunder, Abbotsford
Now is Obama’s chance to prove his critics wrong
I was not surprised to read that a few readers were upset about "It is an Obama Nation" headline. I did not find the headline offensive at all. It simply implied he won and will take control of this great country on January 20, 2009.
Now it's his chance to prove to us all what exactly he [Obama] means by change.
I am, however, offended that for years the media and liberal supporters could not denounce, name call and attack our current president Bush enough. Furthermore, to show that he was tolerant of such attacks, Bush accepted the criticism gracefully knowing that it's our First Amendment Right to disagree and voice dissent with his decisions and views.
President Bush walked into office and within nine months our nation was attacked by terrorists. Although many do not agree with the way he handled the response to this, I think his efforts should not be marginalized.
In short, I believe Bush truly cared about this nation and its people. The fact that our nation has not had a domestic attack since his taking office should mean something, especially to those who wanted to criticize him endlessly.
Pre-election coverage opinions locally and nation wide kept emphasizing that this nation would not elect a black president, implying our nation was racist. This is far from the truth, as Obama even won "heartland" states — yes even the Bible thumping, gun toting individuals that his campaign mocked — helped get him elected.
Since Obama won, the DOW has not gone up. We're headed into another bailout this time for automakers, there's fear that our 2nd Amendment rights may be infringed, and it's been said that Congress and Obama may try to push for the Fairness Doctrine. Finally, his appointments are not "new" or the change I expected. I see mainly Clinton staffers on his team. Dare I remind you, also, Obama's voting record on Right to Life issues? I hope this is not the change that Obama voters expected.
So, am I disappointed Obama won? Of course, but I look forward to seeing what he will do for this country.
— Donna Maguire, Sierra Vista, AZ
Headline was offensive
My husband and I were born in Medford and our parents lived there forever. We both remember when our mothers went to the Normal School to see John F. Kennedy speak.
My Mom voted Democrat — should not do that in Taylor County. She never told my dad. My husband's mom did the same. “He was so handsome.” His father said "Well, you just canceled my vote and I would say yes.”
Needless to say, we thought your headline was very inappropriate.
We get The Star News in Waukesha to catch up on all the news in Medford, but were very offended by that headline. Just wanted to let you know.
— Joyce Ecklund, Waukesha
Talk about love of money
In response to Jeff Wiitala's letter that America is insane: John McCain owns seven homes and 13 cars. Talk about love of money.
— Martha Pepper, Medford