I guess I just don’t subscribe to the traditional libertarian view that anything and everything a government does has to be bad. I’m more likely to believe that what they do usually has unintended consequences which are often problematic, but occasionally turn out for the better in spite of themselves.

There seems to be a strong general agreement among most economists that some sort of stimulus package is needed or we’ll be watching the economy drive itself over a cliff. There are lots of ideas of what that might look like, but standing by and doing nothing is probably the most risky.

While the mountain of debt this creates is a major and legitimate concern, I’m more worried about the governments ability to discipline itself to push themselves away from the feasting table of spending once the economy starts to get back on track. I’m a big believer in growth through productivity and technology. And I think the future holds some very cool things in store if we can just learn to get out of the way.

Beam me up, Scottie!

It may make more sense than what the government is doing for other industries, but the libertarian voice in my head just explodes that it is happening at all. These same politicians are always saying that what they are doing is for the children, but right now they are royally screwing our children as the debt they are placing on their shoulders is make it virtually impossible for them to have the life we are having.

Pork is pork.
So I can not condone what is happening even if it is helping my people. Let’s take our lumps, clear out the mess, and then get started again. Anything the government does will just prolong the misery in the short term and devastate the country in the long term.

I’m not sure that you can truthfully call this a bailout. While Realtors will definitely benefit from a stabilizing of the market, what they are proposing is addressing to whole industry through tax credits and other methods to encourage consumers to regain confidence in the market so they will buy homes.

Doesn’t this make more sense than most of the other things the government has been doing?

I got a tax credit last year for installing a tank less water heater in my home because the government is trying to encourage energy efficiency. Now they are trying to encourage home buying? What the difference?

Until we get the current inventory of unsold homes down to a reasonable level, we can’t turn the corner on this recession.

Jolynne Ash/Broker Owner
DreamStreet Real Estate
Portland Oregon

I speak with agents and brokers every day who have just as many closing now as they did 2 years ago. There is still more than enough market share for a great agent to operate in any part of this country. Always keep in mind that an agent that is knowledgeable, passionate and driven will always be in high demand.