Letter from my Senator

[xhalation69]

Email from Washington State Senator Patty Murray:

Dear Mrs. _____________:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Obama Administration's Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.

As you know, in Washington State thousands of families receive a foreclosure notice each and every month. Many of these foreclosures are the result of lost jobs, skyrocketing health care costs, and the damage inflicted by the current economic recession. Still others are the result of poor financial choices and families living beyond their means. In order to address the difficulties facing the housing market and the broader economy, President Obama recently announced a plan designed to help stabilize home values, keep responsible homeowners in their homes, and reduce the number of foreclosures in the future.

We are all affected by the difficulties facing the housing market and we all have an interest in stabilizing home values. President Obama's plan offers a true chance at stemming the tide of foreclosures and using cooperation amongst government, private lenders and borrowers to stabilize our communities.

The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan will offer assistance to as many as 7 to 9 million homeowners who are struggling to stay current on their mortgages. The plan strongly encourages cooperation amongst government entities, private lenders, and borrowers to provide homeowners with new access to refinancing and reduced monthly payments. Only owner-occupied homes will be eligible for support, which will restrict speculators from qualifying for assistance. In addition, in order to encourage homeowners to seek help before they begin to fall behind on payments, delinquency on mortgage payments will not be a requirement to qualify for assistance. Rather, because loan modifications are more likely to be successful if they are made before a borrower misses a payment, the plan provides assistance for homeowners who are in risk of imminent default and need a modification in order to stay current on their payments. These provisions should help reduce the number of foreclosures and promote stability in the housing market.

The President's plan includes many of the common sense steps that struggling families, Congress, and housing experts have been calling for in order to address the root of the housing crisis and help keep responsible homeowners in their homes. It helps families, not speculators. It focuses on those who have fallen behind, not those who could never afford their mortgages in the first place. In addition, not only will this plan help families facing foreclosure, it will help protect neighborhoods, communities and jobs from the ripple effects of this national crisis.

I am committed to continuing to work with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to address the issues facing the housing market and take the steps necessary to improve our economy. As the 111th Congress progresses, I will keep your comments in mind. Thank you for contacting me, and please do not hesitate to share your views with me in the future.

I hope all is well.

[amiesheikh]

It's nice how he just has to get in there that some families are living beyond their means. If so, why did the holier than thou banks give them loans to begin with?

[LadyDoveFL]

Have you tried calling his/her local office and talk to a real person? The rep that I talked to from my state senator's office was helpful in getting me some documentation from the state's unemployment agency; documentation that had been denied me each time that I called the agency...

Just a thought...

[caldwellb02]

This is not unlike the letter I got from Senator Feinstein. One wonders if they even read our letters. Senator Boxer (I'm in CA of course) was much more proactive. No results yet, but at least I know they spent some time for me and forwarded my case on.

[faith]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

This is not unlike the letter I got from Senator Feinstein. One wonders if they even read our letters. Senator Boxer (I'm in CA of course) was much more proactive. No results yet, but at least I know they spent some time for me and forwarded my case on.

Caldwell,
I know what you mean about Senator Feinstein. She just referred me to her website and no encouragement at all. I also wrote then Senator Obama twice about my issues with CW and so is then Senator Clinton. None responded. That's why I did not vote for Obama because I knew he was just a man of unbroken promises and NOT a man of word nor action. Senator McCain wrote me twice and encouraged me and it's like the letter above, and a message of hope from him. But unfortunately people did not understad him nor voted for him.

I don't trust any politicians at all because they are all the same broken promises. But at least it's nice to hear from them and let you know what they intend to do even though we all know they can't do anything.

Thanks for sharing your letter.

[so-cal-gal]

Faith, you and I were like-minded. I had also read of how Obama backed efforts that forced doctors to let babies die that were 'late-term' abortions-gone-wrong but were alive. The doctors were not ALLOWED to intervene to save them.

I'm not an anti-abortion fanatic. But to tie the hands of those trained to save lives is just WRONG.

[faith]

Originally Posted by so-cal-gal

Faith, you and I were like-minded. I had also read of how Obama backed efforts that forced doctors to let babies die that were 'late-term' abortions-gone-wrong but were alive. The doctors were not ALLOWED to intervene to save them.

I'm not an anti-abortion fanatic. But to tie the hands of those trained to save lives is just WRONG.

Obama will pay for his CRIME and the people like him for not giving a chance for those TRAINED HANDS TO SAVE LIVES. Everyone deserves to live even the one who has terminal illness and only have 1 day to BREATHE. Because God can extend a person's life to 5 or 10 years and that's a gift a person and his loveones can have and cherish the time that was given them..

Thanks and God bless.

[caldwellb02]

Hey everyone. Let's not make this about Right and Left, and let's for sure get our facts straight before we go off on inuendo. The thing is we here on this forum are probably all over the map (literally) and figuratively. I'm sure there are ultra liberals, ultra conservatives, pro choice, pro life, gays, straights, people who are blue collar, corporate types, folks from the nonprofit arena (like me) ..... it really doesn't matter. We are all Americans and this system as it currently works where we are all struggling so hard for loan mods we deserve is NOT right. I'm going to reconnect with my senators (even Feinstein) and my congressman (who has been very proactive). I'm gonna write a rebuttal letter to Chase (whose reason for denying my hardship was that "Your hardship is not of a permanent nature."... Give me a BREAK!). I'm going to make copies and send them to EVERYONE. I have no idea how to get to the President, because of the sheer volume of mail he must receive and don't know what will turn the tide. Huffington Post has a current article I just commented on on-line, and CNN had one too. I can only anticipate that if we flood the media and the politicians, from our congressmen and women to our Senators and to Geithner (is that spelled right) that somehow we can make a difference. Make complaints. Write QWR's. I truely believe something has got to shift in the right direction (now I'm a liberal, and I am perfectly fine with that phrase). I may lose my home in the end, but I'm not done with the fight. If I didn't feel I was right I wouldn't go on. But this is right. or left. or gay. or straight. or republican, libertarian, liberal, green, independent....... it is our right and I'm mad!!!!!

[so-cal-gal]

Gee, I'm just your typical gun-toting, pro-choice MODERATE.

Or is that ATYPICAL that I mean? I can appreciate other's points of view, just allow me to have my own.

Yes, we are ALL in this mess TOGETHER. I added a comment over at Are You in Loan Modification Hell? Join the Club. - CBS MoneyWatch.com

Perhaps you would do likewise?

[faith]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

Hey everyone. Let's not make this about Right and Left, and let's for sure get our facts straight before we go off on inuendo. The thing is we here on this forum are probably all over the map (literally) and figuratively. I'm sure there are ultra liberals, ultra conservatives, pro choice, pro life, gays, straights, people who are blue collar, corporate types, folks from the nonprofit arena (like me) ..... it really doesn't matter. We are all Americans and this system as it currently works where we are all struggling so hard for loan mods we deserve is NOT right. I'm going to reconnect with my senators (even Feinstein) and my congressman (who has been very proactive). I'm gonna write a rebuttal letter to Chase (whose reason for denying my hardship was that "Your hardship is not of a permanent nature."... Give me a BREAK!). I'm going to make copies and send them to EVERYONE. I have no idea how to get to the President, because of the sheer volume of mail he must receive and don't know what will turn the tide. Huffington Post has a current article I just commented on on-line, and CNN had one too. I can only anticipate that if we flood the media and the politicians, from our congressmen and women to our Senators and to Geithner (is that spelled right) that somehow we can make a difference. Make complaints. Write QWR's. I truely believe something has got to shift in the right direction (now I'm a liberal, and I am perfectly fine with that phrase). I may lose my home in the end, but I'm not done with the fight. If I didn't feel I was right I wouldn't go on. But this is right. or left. or gay. or straight. or republican, libertarian, liberal, green, independent....... it is our right and I'm mad!!!!!

Caldwell,
We are all entitled to our own opinion whether it's for and against Obama. My experience with him is very disappointing because I wrote him a letter twice at the time I needed someone to help me. During that time he was a Senator but like Clinton, Feinstein and Boxer they ddid not respond to my letters. I do not see that the Obama HAMP has helped the homeowners at all, 3 months trial payment for loan mod is a BIG JOKE. I think if he really wants us homeowners be helped, he should make it a mandatory help for all homeowners who are underwater. Instead of giving billions of dollars to the crooks like CW, BA, Chase, WF etc, he should have given a voucher to all homeowners of half the amount of their balance owed of their homes, and have their banks refinance it through that voucher, with zero, fixed 30 years. That way, the banks get the half of the money they lost through that voucher, the homeowners get refinance or modified and able to pay their mortgage. If he is willing to give billions of dollars to the clunkers, willing to spend money to healthcare he should have done the same to the housing market. Giving money to BA, Chase, CW, WF and other banks and lenders is a big mistake, no one benefits from it but the FAT CEOs He should concentrate on the housing market because this is the bread and butter of America

As you can see Obama's priority is the Clunkers, the Healthcare, Stimulus package and giving billions to the crooks and lenders that put us all into this dilemma.

I am sorry if it seemed I am griping or whining, I just don't like people who promise me to do something but can not deliver like Obama and the rest of the politicians.

Good luck to your plan of writing Sen Feinstein, if you get a different response from mine, please let me know.

God bless and take care.

[LadyDoveFL]

Thank you, Caldwellb! Well said!

[faith]

Originally Posted by so-cal-gal

gee, i'm just your typical gun-toting, pro-choice moderate.:d

or is that atypical that i mean? I can appreciate other's points of view, just allow me to have my own.

Yes, we are all in this mess together. I added a comment over at are you in loan modification hell? Join the club. - cbs moneywatch.com

perhaps you would do likewise?

so cal,
thank you very much a million thanks to YOU!!!
your comments and suggestions are outstanding, well said.

thank you for me too!!!

[wayward1]

The media is the best way to go with this...

Obviously, no politician cares to hear the constituents unless they hear from the media loud and clear that they will not be re-elected unless things are set straight.

my opinion...

[faith]

Originally Posted by wayward1

The media is the best way to go with this...

Obviously, no politician cares to hear the constituents unless they hear from the media loud and clear that they will not be re-elected unless things are set straight.

my opinion...

Wayward,
Thank you so much for your opinion, you are so right!!!

[caldwellb02]

Faith - maybe I'm reading your comments wrong, and if so I apologize, but it seems to me you are trying to politicize this in an odd way. I have learned alot from your posts ABOUT THIS LOAN MODIFICATION PROCESS but I'm really sorry I started naming politicians cuz this seems to be getting out of hand.

Moe - is this forum about loan modifications, or is it about abortion or about spouting political rhetoric and using large type to make your point?

[so-cal-gal]

Caldwellb02,

I really do appreciate your position as well as others stated here. I think the topic 'Letter from my Senator' may be causing people to vent some pent-up frustrations. This forum provides information, an outlet for pent-up frustrations in some situations, and a source of support from our companions in mortgage-mod torture.

Sorry it this has irked you.

I really do appreciate the contribution you have made to this forum and value your input.

[caldwellb02]

Thanks so-cal-gal. I've gotta chill.

[faith]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

Faith - maybe I'm reading your comments wrong, and if so I apologize, but it seems to me you are trying to politicize this in an odd way. I have learned alot from your posts ABOUT THIS LOAN MODIFICATION PROCESS but I'm really sorry I started naming politicians cuz this seems to be getting out of hand.

Moe - is this forum about loan modifications, or is it about abortion or about spouting political rhetoric and using large type to make your point?

Caldwell,
The topic itself talks about politics. I took the opportunity to vent out about my frustrations about Senators Obama, Clinton, Feinstein and Boxer because of the way I felt for not responding to my cry for help to all of them. You were the one who carried on and on and mentioned about other things that was not mentioned in this forum. I am a human being, by nature I overreacted, and I am sorry if I have offended you.

As far as my highlighted bolded thank you, I really thanked So Cal for his opinion and also the other guy. And just to let you know, I HAVE CATARACTS ON BOTH EYES, and KAISER my medical insurance, when they found out that I have cataracts and the doctor recommended for surgery, they have cancelled my coverage which I paid $292.50 a month out of my pocket since 2005.

I always make my fonts bigger for me to see what I am typing and sometimes bolded it and has plans to make it smaller, but we all have only seconds to change things before we can do it. Please forgive me.

God bless you and thank you.

[caldwellb02]

Faith - Truce, please! We are all so stressed out anyway, we don't need to contribute to each others' stress!

I am so sorry about your insurance. This is all such a mess.

By the way, I am faxing another letter to all the aforementioned politicians again with a copy of my denial letter from Chase.

I notice you live in SD. My son lives in San Diego and goes to school there. Blessings to you as well.

[Riley18]

Hi Caldwell,

I totally agree with Faith in that we cannot forget how the politicians have helped to create this mortgage disaster. The previous administration allowed the banks to be deregulated which is what got our country into this mess. Our problems are not going to get fixed by any politician unless we can get the media to investigate what is happening.

I have complete faith in our President and his commitment to repair the economy. Nobody is more impatient that I am to get the HAMP, but I try to remember it has only been 7 months. We have to keep on fighting for our homes.

[caldwellb02]

Hi Riley - ditto from me as well. I agree about the politicians, and the media. Any time I find someone who is asking for info - I've found a couple through various threads here (and I'm thinking one may have come from you?), I try my best to add my two cents. I'm a bit stressed today - you know how that goes - up and down - kinda like labor pains. Problem is I don't know what species I'm birthing! (ha).

[Riley18]

Hi Caldwell,
I had to smile when I read about the labor pain analogy. It is a good one because if what comes out of this is half as good as my 3 kids, then it will have been worth the effort

I know what you mean about how this stress can really get to you. I'm thinking of making myself let it go for a couple of days. Think I need to take some of those deep cleansing Lamaze breaths and chill. I hear there are a couple of great speeches coming up anyway

[faith]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

Faith - Truce, please! We are all so stressed out anyway, we don't need to contribute to each others' stress!

I am so sorry about your insurance. This is all such a mess.

By the way, I am faxing another letter to all the aforementioned politicians again with a copy of my denial letter from Chase.

I notice you live in SD. My son lives in San Diego and goes to school there. Blessings to you as well.

Caldwell,
Don't worry about it, we are like families here in this forum.

PEACE BE WITH YOU AND TO ALL!!!

GOD BLESS AND TAKE CARE.

[Believe]

1,700 homeowners in distress are viewing this web site at this very moment! That doesn't include the thousands who were here yesterday, or will be here tomorrow. God, help us all. Moe and Evan, is there anything planned in Washington in the near future? I can't take this anymore.

[dan m]

everyones ready for something...
I've got the eggs and tp
hahaha