Obamas New Stand on Housing

Previously the Obama administration announced efforts to stop home foreclosures--today they believe the reciprocal. "Last week the head of the Treasury Department's Homeownership Preservation Office, told a congressional panel that 'an important part of ensuring longer-term stability in the market is to enable properties to be resold to families who can afford to purchase them.'" This obviously makes sense. Obamas initial plan to reduce distressed borrowers monthly payments by 31% percent only acted as a band aide. To sustain long term success the market essential has to start over again. By allowing more foreclosures home owners will be able to purchase homes at a fair market value.


Obama Housing

America Running Out of Water

Ten cities in the United States are running out of water. This could possible be a significant problem for these cities financial infrastructure. A number of industries rely on regular access of water therefore some people would be out of work if poor prospects were to continue. Another important trouble to consider is "that cities have sold bongs based on their needs for infrastructure to move, clean and supply water." Essential this means that credit agencies have not taken this potential draught into consideration and the equity of their companies can decrease. With Los Angeles topping the list of major cities effected by this potential draught and the United States coming out of the current financial recession something must be done to sustain our economic growth.

http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/111186/the-ten-biggest-american-cities-that-are-running-out-of-water

Alcohol--Worst Drug in the World

A recent study has claimed that alcohol is the most harmful drug in the world. Based off the criteria in the survey, alcohol is three times as bad compared to tobacco and cocaine. Heroin, speed and ecstasy also fell second to alcohol. History has shown that big business can escape the demands seth forth by the government. For example direct government and tax expenditures have had little effect on the tobacco indusrty. Each year federal and state governments raise taxes on cigarettes--yet people still purchase these products and fall ill to them. In regards to the addictive nature of alcohol and governments past effort to stop its distribution (prohibition), is it possible for the world to eliminate its most harmful drug?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/01/alcohol.harm/index.html

Republicans Win House...and More?

 Many voters do not want a republican takeover. Four-fifths say they want Republicans and Democrats to work together to get things done, as opposed to rigidly sticking to principles. Republicans have said they want to cut $100 billion from the federal budget as early as January. They plant to target programs such as college loans for low-income students or medical research at the National Institutes of Health. This is interesting. In recent polls young voters and minorities who voted for Obama are still in favor of democrats, but this proposal by Republicans clearly speaks volume to that demographic. With Republicans seeing their strongest support among men, senior citizens and those with incomes of more than $100,000 as well as there pledge to meet the needs of lower socio-economic Americans is the Obama administration in trouble?

Republicans Win House...and More?

Justin Cooper

Oil Spill in Niger Delta

      This article details an investigation by the UN concluding that Shell was not responsible for the oil pollution in the Niger Delta. The reason I chose this article is not because Shell was exonerated on all charges, but pollution caused by world powers in this third world countries is happening at an exponential rate.
      The externalities produced by major corporation negatively impact the environment and the world population. "With 606 oil fields, the Niger delta supplies 8.2% of the crude oil imported by the US. Life expectancy in its rural communities, half of which have no access to clean water, has fallen to little more than 40 over the past two generations."

      Did you get that? It is extremely outrageous that someone one has to think that they will not live passed the age of 40. The worst part is, is that we are doing it to them. Coase Theory states that these corporations are benefiting from this because in reality it is the third world countries that have to provide for the problems that major corporations produce. It is clear by the life expectancy that these countries cannot provide for themselves.

      The United Nations must implement stronger and stricter punishment on pollution. I do not even want to think about what would happen if this was to continue. Just because we are so far away does not mean that we cannot help those who are. It is up to you, it is up to me, it is up to everyone to end this nonsense and make the global community more environmental friendly.  

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/22/shell-niger-delta-un-investigation