Dale Terry

I have been listening to the talking heads on TV recently talk about the economic crisis and many of them are proposing the need for the government to embark on a huge spending program somewhat like the new deal of yesteryear. The spending would be for many things and in essence would provide jobs and jumpstart the economy.

But part of my confusion is that the average American family did exactly that, spending its way into debt. Of course, the result is the problem we are now facing.

The citizens of America have seen a reduction in real ages over the past 20 years and have had to us credit and debt to keep up with the modern lifestyle. Millions have used real estate as a means to create wealth just like the millions who invested in the dot.com bubble. And the result was the same.

So why is it logical for the government to do it and not the average consumer? By creating debt the government is pushing off the day when it has to pay up and the pain is going to be greater. Why can't the government save money in good times to have it in bad?

We have to balance our checkbooks or we will face penalties. The government needs to stop spending money until it can write only good checks.

The housing market in America has fallen to such a point were in many areas, the number of foreclosures on the market, literally make up the local market. These foreclosures have destroyed the values in the areas affected and have caused millions of Americans to live in homes that have lost tremendous value and may even be underwater as to the mortgage.

The simplest way to stop the carnage would be for all lien holders to reduce the principal and interest rates on all distressed properties. This would allow homeowners the option of staying in homes that are underwater and would help stop new foreclosures.

But banks have been reluctant to handle their problems this way. They would rather foreclose, then sell the property at a reduced price, take the loss and move on. Regardless of the banks philosophy, they do not care about their customers and with the government bail out money, they don't have to help their customers.

I hope that the nation's citizens rejects the banks efforts to take their money in the future and that we are given a chance to vote out the politicians that gave away the financial future of America

The buzz on the financial and news channels is the 50 billion dollar Ponzi scheme that has caught up many rich people, charities, and endowments. The government agencies that are tasked to keep these things from happening have vowed to investigate. But what if the ones investigating are part of a Ponzi scheme themselves?

The government is always looking for new investors (taxpayers) to help provide the capitol required to pay the returns demanded by the earlier investors. The new investors are promised all sorts of returns from social security payments, healthcare, etc. As the pay outs continue, it gets harder to meet them unless the number of new investors increases, hence our governments lack of desire to halt illegal immigration. And if the number of new investors can't contribute the amount of capital necessary to keep up the returns, the schemes begins to unravel.

With 75 million Americans getting close to retirement, the government has to either keep them from retiring or increase the number of taxpayers. The end of the scheme may be near.

Okay, here are my qualifications:

I understand that the government is supposed to be for the people, by people. Since I am actually "one of the people" I understand the needs of the people more than a Kennedy that lives in a private compound with out of touch rich people.

I actually have worked for a living. I have paid taxes, paid for health care, and owned a small business. I have not though had the time to work for a non profit, follow family members around when they are campaigning nor have I worked for a political committee, think tank or received symbolic board posts because of my family connections.

I have not received any money from any special interest. I have none, although the safety of my family is pretty big to me. I would like to help determine where the TARP money goes. Since all the economists say that we can't get out of this mess until the consumer starts spending money and since the banks won' lend any, I propose that we give all Americans 50k and you are required to spend it in 1 year. It is a stupid idea, but it can't be worse than giving money to the folks that got us here in the first place.

I have no money. Giving me the job would reduce the under employed in the nation. My staff would be new to working in their new jobs, and would increase tax revenues since most have no money either and hence have no tax write off

I will help the county it's dependence on oil. I need a new car and promise to buy anything that is green. No big gas guzzler for me.

No new taxes. Enough said.

Well, call your representatives and get my name in the running.

One of the great things about being a Realtor is that you can help people achieve their dreams concerning real estate. But what should we do about the demanding customer?

I have some examples of how we put ourselves in positions that we can't win. For example, what do you do about the customer that sees a home on line and wants more information. They email you and tell you that they were looking online and saw the listing at 123 Main St. They want you to go by and look at the home and give them information about how close to the road the home is, or what the neighborhood is like, or how big the backyard is.

Or maybe the phone rings and someone wants information about one of your listings because they are looking at the FSBO down the street. Of course you are obligated to give information about your listed property and are glad to do so, but then they ask about the other property.

How do we answer these questions? I believe we first have to make sure that they are not working with another agent, and then we have to ask them if they would like to work with us. If not, direct them to the tax office, or suggest they take the time to look at the properties in question.

I say this because unless we willing to lose potential customers can we become professional in the eyes of the public. Too many Realtors think that being the information source will get them business. And if enough think so, we become the equivalent of the local library.

So there are times when we don't need to give out information, and there are times when we need to get rid of demanding customers.

For more information about the Yadkin Valley go to our websites at http://www.hrgproperties.com, http://www.yadkincountyrealestate.com and http://www.yadkinvalleynow.com