Ed.
It all started with a conversation about how the government has lost confidence and is perceived as untrustworthy. A former HS civics teacher who taught and believes in the democratic ideal, pondered about what he could do to help restore faith in the government from a citizen level.
It was hard for him to watch the carniverous gnawing away of his public school's enrichment programs. He was now a highly regarded Superintendent of Schools. And with no fanfare at all, no media, no big newspaper coverage, he came up with an idea.
In a quiet board meeting he offered to retire as Superintendent of Schools conditional on being hired back as a contract employee for the remaining 3 years before his scheduled retirement. The only compensation he asked for was that of a first year teacher, $31,500 a year, and without benefits.
They decided the money the District would save ($800,000 over 3 years) could be used to support and sustain preschool and kindergarten literacy programs, college prep classes, sports and the arts. So quietly was this business conducted, that it took days for word to filter out to the community. You can imagine the shock in this day and age of an average guy giving up that sizeable of a salary, and then not wanting anyone to know.
What a heartwarming story to compel us all to give a little more of ourselves. To do the right thing. To help each other through the difficulties we continue to face.
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At the other end of the spectrum are the banks that are standing on our airhoses. Relief isn't coming for those unsustainable mortgages. We have played the game, paid our bills, honored our promises. And with an audible sense of detatchment are being told that in these hard times there is no money to lend.
The word is out. There is money to lend but the banks are spinning the current financial crisis to their advantage. By refusing refinancing relief, they continue to capitalize on the older, higher interest rates. There is no hint of altruism, no national conscience, no sense of shame. The banking Cartel gains strength and power through systematic nonaction to rectify this massive calculated misappropriation.
At first I bought the whole BofA angle, that they made an unwise investment in Countrywide and were unprepared for the financial fallout as a result of their shoddy business practices. I admired their attempt to settle lawsuits and tackle this issue head on. But you know, they too were part of the robo signing scheme at BofA and they repackaged worthless loans to sell to unsuspecting investors. Regardless of consumer responsibility, the banks schemed the angles here and peddled their wares, for corporate profits. They intentionally defrauded their people.
Whether the person peddling the loan or credit limits and falsifying documents works for a bank, a mortgage company or a public trust, it is misappropriation of funds. Felony and prison time. These people are still working and doing the same thing. So I ask you ... without consequences how can there be change?
The Cartel has this one chance to take the high road for remorse and responsibility, and give us a hand in climbing out of the hole they dug. Eventually all of this will settle down and turn around, and we will remember the way they played it. But definitely, I think prison time should be included for every last one of them.
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