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An Obama/Biden Prediction

Okay, I hit my head on the shower door this morning and had a vision of the future that I thought I’d share with you, just for fun.

Let’s assume that Barack Obama is presently thinking (in light of the Palin wave) that he made a dreadful political mistake in NOT choosing Hillary Clinton for the number two spot and would now like to rectify that error.

Here are three things we know for sure:

1. Biden has been strangely quiet for a few days. 
2. Obama is having a meeting with Bill & Hillary for undisclosed reasons. 
3. Biden said publicly yesterday, “Hillary probably would have been a better choice.”
   

Here’s my prediction for what may occur in the next few days:

Biden will announce that he is voluntarily withdrawing from the ticket “for the good of the party.”  This will protect both his honor and Obama’s honor (though I believe the idea will not have come from Biden).  Hillary will then be named to the number two spot to pull the independent female electorate back away from Palin.

I see two things that could keep this from happening:

1. Hillary may refuse.  After all, as it is, she can run again in four years.  If she joins the ticket she will likely have to wait eight. 
2. Obama’s advisors may talk him out of it, seeing a danger of such a move backfiring by giving the Republicans ammunition for attacking his judgment and decision-making ability. They may also warn him that such a move would even be too jarring for his base.

Five Simple Ways to Avoid Foreclosure

One of the "talking points" of the left wing is the need for government to take better care of those who are hurting financially.  What they fail to mention is that much of the higher corporate taxes they propose to address such issues will go into the hands of many Americans who are hurting as the result of their own irresponsibility (dare I say stupidity?).  Talked about most frequently is the need to offer mortgage assistance to those who can't afford their mortgage payment.

Perhaps a better alternative to increasing taxes on business which will result in even more jobs being lost, we should return to the common sense approach to mortgage management.  Here are five profound ways to avoid experiencing foreclosure and requiring a government rescue:

1.  Take the time to learn about mortgages, interest rates, and your local housing market.  When you sign a mortgage you are making a promise to repay what is likely to be the largest amount of money you've ever borrowed.  Don't sign stupid.

2.  Purchase a home you can afford.  I know, this is complicated (geez).  You should buy a home that will allow you to make your mortgage payments, stay current on all of your other financial obligations, AND put money into savings each month.

3.  Never, never use an "Adjustable Rate Mortgage" or "Interest Only Mortgage" to get a lower payment.  This eliminates budget predictability and puts your financial well-being into the hands of the Federal Reserve which, by the way, is accountable to no one.

4.  Don't use the equity in your home for luxuries or pleasure.  Leave your equity alone.  It is likely your largest pool of savings and should only be used for crisis situations.  Many people facing foreclosure today are in that situation because they squandered their equity on vacations, plasma televisions, and other frivolous expenditures.  If you want a vacation or plasma television, save for it.  Don't spend stupid.

5.  Keep the equivalent of six months earnings in an emergency savings account to be used only if you lose your job.  If you followed step 2 properly, you should have been able to save every month.   Don't use it for vacations or plasma televisions.  It is your safety net to keep your bills paid should you lose your job.

I know that people do find themselves financially debilitated by unexpected and catastrophic events.  But I believe that many of America's economic and social problems could be solved without the heavy hand of a large federal government that takes from the rich and gives to the poor, if people were simply taught to use their brains and apply common sense to the living of their lives.

The Unsinkable Palin?

A few months ago, while watching her being interviewed on the Glenn Beck program, I thought to myself that Sarah Palin could be the Vice President that would restore some of my confidence in the Republican Party.  Needless to say, I was delighted to hear of her being chosen for the ticket.  My confidence in her has been bolstered by the disgusting attacks of the liberals as their subhuman attacks upon her family betray that they are frightened by this woman who offers them no legitimate bait for attack.  She has been more completely scrutinized and attacked by the libs and mainstream media over the last five days than Obama has been since launching his campaign.

I looked forward to her speech, wondering if she would be able to deliver the goods and watching for weaknesses.  I saw none.  And now today I learn that midway through the speech her teleprompter malfunctioned and she winged the second half.

As the speech drew to a close I thought to myself, "I'm not just watching a vice presidential candidate.  I'm watching the first female president of the United States."  Hopefully she will prove to be as unsinkable as I perceive her to be.