Our petition to the federal govt

[caldwellb02]

Everyone - here is our petition. Some of us are now looking into where to post it and how to get it out to everyone. I just put it on its own thread because it was hidden in one bank's forum when it is for ALL banks. If you have ideas on how to distribute, post them here. If you know how to distribute a petition, please let us know:

PETITION TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FROM AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS

We the undersigned strongly advocate that the Federal Government create immediate, transparent and more equitable regulations for the banking industry regarding loan modifications and pending foreclosures, particularly in regards to HAMP and 2MP. Tens of thousands of homeowners across this nation have spent hundreds of hours dealing with mortgage servicers who have little incentive to actually help them/us achieve permanent loan modifications; while in the process of obtaining a modification, many homeowners have been lied to, misled, foreclosed upon or threatened with foreclosure..

We propose an immediate halt to all foreclosures until new, mandatory guidelines are established and that these guidelines be overseen by a new Consumer Protection Agency, which was recently recommended by President Obama and endorsed by Sheila Bair, chair of the FDIC. We also demand that these guidelines include not only a simple 31% of the borrower’s gross monthly income, but that the Net Present Value (NPV) test: (a) be created and administered by the government, not the banks, (b) have its data, assumptions and formula published so that they may be verified by the public, and (c) be made available at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov in a calculator form so that people can learn immediately, with the other eligibilty questions available there now, whether they're eligible for HAMP. We are also strongly advocating that additional guidelines be formulated that would open the door for modifications at an even a lower rate in significant hardship conditions and for rightdowns of principal when homes are severely underwater .

We propose there be clear and enforceable guidelines regarding the time between the initial request for a modification and the achievement of a permanent modification, and that there be no reward to the bank for a trial modification. The rewards, if any, should be only for successful permanent modifications.

There is documented evidence that the current system is not working, as reflected in the rising foreclosure rates across the nation and the thousands of people who attend NACA “Save the Dream” events in an attempt to get their loans modified. There is ample evidence that the current HAMP and other modification guidelines are being interpreted differently by each bank, reflected in many places including the scenarios described by the 20,000+ members of the loansafe.org community. Additional evidence can be found in hundreds if not thousands of complaints and requests for assistance sent by struggling homeowners to their Senators and Congressmen across the country, as well as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and other agencies that have been instituted to regulate these banks.

Mr. Bryan Bolton, SVP of CitiMortgage, has stated that “modifying within HAMP guidelines is in the best interests of our borrowers, our country and our company. With or without fees, it’s almost always in the best interests of the servicers to modify.” Unfortunately, these are empty words. Mr. Bolton, like so many other CEO’s, tells Congress one thing, while he and they continue to do quite the opposite.

Tougher mandates need to be placed on these banks that are simply not modifying loans at the rate they could or have been perpetuating to Congress and the media.


Homeowners are not the ones not complying with the rules. The banks are creating their own set of rules and regulations and are consistently “losing” paperwork during the application process, denying modifications for unjustifiable reasons after the trial payments have been successfully completed, and proceeding with the foreclosure process. This is often happening unbeknownst to the homeowners who are still faxing, mailing and e-mailing reams of duplicated documentation as requested by their lenders.

The American Dream has now become the American Nightmare courtesy of the banking industry, which is taking a cavalier approach to the stress, heartache and despair caused by the current lack of oversight, transparency and enforcement of loan modifications. It is of the utmost importance that action be taken to correct this travesty in order to preserve homeownership for the thousands of Americans that are and will continue to be struggling in this economic time.


We urge your swift and immediate action

[bloominga]

Does anyone know anything about the link below??

Care2 - largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare.

Dottie

[bloominga]

Internet petition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[daglo]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

Everyone - here is our petition. Some of us are now looking into where to post it and how to get it out to everyone. I just put it on its own thread because it was hidden in one bank's forum when it is for ALL banks. If you have ideas on how to distribute, post them here. If you know how to distribute a petition, please let us know:

PETITION TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FROM AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS

We the undersigned strongly advocate that the Federal Government create immediate, transparent and more equitable regulations for the banking industry regarding loan modifications and pending foreclosures, particularly in regards to HAMP and 2MP. Tens of thousands of homeowners across this nation have spent hundreds of hours dealing with mortgage servicers who have little incentive to actually help them/us achieve permanent loan modifications; while in the process of obtaining a modification, many homeowners have been lied to, misled, foreclosed upon or threatened with foreclosure..

We propose an immediate halt to all foreclosures until new, mandatory guidelines are established and that these guidelines be overseen by a new Consumer Protection Agency, which was recently recommended by President Obama and endorsed by Sheila Bair, chair of the FDIC. We also demand that these guidelines include not only a simple 31% of the borrower’s gross monthly income, but that the Net Present Value (NPV) test: (a) be created and administered by the government, not the banks, (b) have its data, assumptions and formula published so that they may be verified by the public, and (c) be made available at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov in a calculator form so that people can learn immediately, with the other eligibilty questions available there now, whether they're eligible for HAMP. We are also strongly advocating that additional guidelines be formulated that would open the door for modifications at an even a lower rate in significant hardship conditions and for rightdowns of principal when homes are severely underwater .

We propose there be clear and enforceable guidelines regarding the time between the initial request for a modification and the achievement of a permanent modification, and that there be no reward to the bank for a trial modification. The rewards, if any, should be only for successful permanent modifications.

There is documented evidence that the current system is not working, as reflected in the rising foreclosure rates across the nation and the thousands of people who attend NACA “Save the Dream” events in an attempt to get their loans modified. There is ample evidence that the current HAMP and other modification guidelines are being interpreted differently by each bank, reflected in many places including the scenarios described by the 20,000+ members of the loansafe.org community. Additional evidence can be found in hundreds if not thousands of complaints and requests for assistance sent by struggling homeowners to their Senators and Congressmen across the country, as well as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and other agencies that have been instituted to regulate these banks.

Mr. Bryan Bolton, SVP of CitiMortgage, has stated that “modifying within HAMP guidelines is in the best interests of our borrowers, our country and our company. With or without fees, it’s almost always in the best interests of the servicers to modify.” Unfortunately, these are empty words. Mr. Bolton, like so many other CEO’s, tells Congress one thing, while he and they continue to do quite the opposite.

Tougher mandates need to be placed on these banks that are simply not modifying loans at the rate they could or have been perpetuating to Congress and the media.


Homeowners are not the ones not complying with the rules. The banks are creating their own set of rules and regulations and are consistently “losing” paperwork during the application process, denying modifications for unjustifiable reasons after the trial payments have been successfully completed, and proceeding with the foreclosure process. This is often happening unbeknownst to the homeowners who are still faxing, mailing and e-mailing reams of duplicated documentation as requested by their lenders.

The American Dream has now become the American Nightmare courtesy of the banking industry, which is taking a cavalier approach to the stress, heartache and despair caused by the current lack of oversight, transparency and enforcement of loan modifications. It is of the utmost importance that action be taken to correct this travesty in order to preserve homeownership for the thousands of Americans that are and will continue to be struggling in this economic time.


We urge your swift and immediate action

This is very well written-great job.

[ama125]

Can we send this to the SEIU? They did a petition online against Ken Lewis' compensation package and then another online petition shortly thereafter to the big banks. They are also in Chicago now demonstrating against the banks... SEIU's Anna Burger: Congress Must Investigate the Banks

It says they have 2.1 million members. If you click on this link, it takes you to the contacts page...SEIU - Service Employees International Union - Contact Us At the very bottom it says "send us your news". This might be worth looking into as a way to get this petition out to the masses.

[caldwellb02]

ama - I think we should send it anywhere and everywhere. Can you cut and paste and try it out?

[ama125]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

ama - I think we should send it anywhere and everywhere. Can you cut and paste and try it out?

I just sent them an email. I'll let you know if I hear back from them.

[bloominga]

Here's an article from the AJC. Can I send it to them or are we planning to do something else with it first? It is written so well that I just can't wait to get it out there.

Demonstrators protest at Chicago banker's meeting | ajc.com

[joanne]

another site to look into:

Frequently Asked Questions- ePetitions.net – Create a Free Online Petition

[nativelasvegan]

Hello all. Sorry for not posting earlier. My computer got a virus. Wonder how that happened? Surely I didn't make anyone mad lately, it's not like I fax, email, call people repeatedly. Someone here before said they behave like a pitbull. I like that.

I am doing a little research on petitions. It seems most petitions have a "TO" line at the top. I realize we will circulate this petition to as many people as possible, but who is it "to"? Maybe Barney Frank, chair of the senate banking committee? It needs to be addressed to the person who can introduce a bill to change existing legislation. Your thoughts?

I would also like to ask if anyone has comments about the appointment of a Consumer Protection Agency. Although I think it is a good idea, I do not know that it will help the cause. How likely is it that an agency be created to oversee this? Freddie is the overseer now and has dropped the ball completely. How reliable with the CPA be if appointed?

Is it productive to quote Bolton? It is necessary to point out the CEOs are telling congress one thing and doing another. Do you think the members of congress are aware of the crap the CEOs are telling them when they are called to the hearings? Just thinking, the shorter the petition, the better.

Here is an example of an online petition. Urging Senate Approval of S. 61 To Permit Judicial Mortgage Modification Petition
I especially like the closing. Very powerful. I hope you all don't mind if I post some suggested revisions later today. I do not want to offend anyone. This is an important part of this process. If the changes in regulations are to take the form of a senate bill, perhaps we can write it more like a senate bill? Make it as easy as possible for our lawmakers to take this and run with it????

[caldwellb02]

native - we do have the momentum now. Can you do your research ASAP? I thought the title was a good enough "to" line but I can see that maybe we need to be more specific: like
American Homeowners urge swift and immediate action on Loan Modification Reform

So if we changed the title to something lke that it WOULD be better.

I like the Bolton piece. I think anyone who sees this needs to know that the lies extend all the way to the top.

As far as the consumer protection agency, perhaps we could say "something like." The idea here was that there be some clear and non-bank, non federal reserve, etc., oversight.

[bloominga]

Good morning. We do have the momentum now and any more than just a slight delay in my mind is not advisable. I like the Bolton piece because it needs to be said over and over, whether it is Bolton or someone else.

We need to do this ASAP!

Dottie

[caldwellb02]

I agree Dottie - I like the idea of changing the title of the petition, and can put "something like" before the consumer protection agency. I'll check back in a couple of hrs. and repost the whole thing to see if there are more ideas. We could pick this apart all day and all week but we need to make it happen.

[Believe]

I agree with you all. This piece is excellent, and we are gaining momentum and attention faster than ever before. I think we need the on-line petition, and also to print this petition in a letter or statement form to e-mail/snailmail to everyone we can think of. I love the new title you proposed, Caldwell. I would also really like to see a big link on the home page of loansafe.org, if Moe is willing.

[nativelasvegan]

I think I found a good petition website. Here is a link to the information we are to provide. Please let me know what your comments are for the questions. PetitionOnline.com - Petition Submission Form

I have some experience with Keywords/petition tags so I can help out with this one. I will also research some google adwords to make sure that anyone searching the internet will find us by providing appropriate key words.

Before I copy and paste the final version of the petition, I will post it here to make sure it is a go.

[caldwellb02]

Native - anxiously awaiting your revisions!!!!!

[caldwellb02]

someone - ama?- recommended sending the petition to the SEIU. Here's a piece from their chair and I think they should see it as well!

Anna Burger: It's Time for Congress to Investigate the Banks
Source: huffingtonpost.com

[HeruHere]

Originally Posted by bloominga

Internet petition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sent my information...Count me in!

[bloominga]

I agree that SEIU should see it too!! This has boosted my mood so much. Thank you Native and Caldwell and all who are assisting to get this out. I can't wait to get my hands on a letter version we can start blasting out everywhere!!!

I just can't say enough about how everyone here works together to make it 'ONE' cause. I truly believe we can make so much happen but only UNITED!

[nativelasvegan]

The more I read it, the better it sounds. I am ready to post it on petitiononline.com. This is the draft I am using. I do not suggest any changes. Please let me know if this is the correct version and if we all agree to get the petition online today. Thanks.

PETITION TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FROM AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS

We the undersigned strongly advocate that the Federal Government create immediate, transparent and more equitable regulations for the banking industry regarding loan modifications and pending foreclosures, particularly in regards to HAMP and 2MP. Tens of thousands of homeowners across this nation have spent hundreds of hours dealing with mortgage servicers who have little incentive to actually help them/us achieve permanent loan modifications; while in the process of obtaining a modification, many homeowners have been lied to, misled, foreclosed upon or threatened with foreclosure.

We propose an immediate halt to all foreclosures until new, mandatory guidelines are established and that these guidelines be overseen by a new Consumer Protection Agency, which was recently recommended by President Obama and endorsed by Sheila Bair, chair of the FDIC. We also demand that these guidelines include not only a simple 31% of the borrower’s gross monthly income, but that the Net Present Value (NPV) test: (a) be created and administered by the government, not the banks, (b) have its data, assumptions and formula published so that they may be verified by the public, and (c) be made available at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov in a calculator form so that people can learn immediately, with the other eligibility questions available there now, whether they're eligible for HAMP. We are also strongly advocating that additional guidelines be formulated that would open the door for modifications at an even a lower rate in significant hardship conditions and for rightdowns of principal when homes are severely underwater .

We propose there be clear and enforceable guidelines regarding the time between the initial request for a modification and the achievement of a permanent modification, and that there be no reward to the bank for a trial modification. The rewards, if any, should be only for successful permanent modifications.

There is documented evidence that the current system is not working, as reflected in the rising foreclosure rates across the nation and the thousands of people who attend NACA “Save the Dream” events in an attempt to get their loans modified. There is ample evidence that the current HAMP and other modification guidelines are being interpreted differently by each bank, reflected in many places including the scenarios described by the 20,000+ members of the loansafe.org community. Additional evidence can be found in hundreds if not thousands of complaints and requests for assistance sent by struggling homeowners to their Senators and Congressmen across the country, as well as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and other agencies that have been instituted to regulate these banks.

Mr. Bryan Bolton, SVP of CitiMortgage, has stated that “modifying within HAMP guidelines is in the best interests of our borrowers, our country and our company. With or without fees, it’s almost always in the best interests of the servicers to modify.” Unfortunately, these are empty words. Mr. Bolton, like so many other CEO’s, tells Congress one thing, while he and they continue to do quite the opposite.

Tougher mandates need to be placed on these banks that are simply not modifying loans at the rate they could or have been perpetuating to Congress and the media.


Homeowners are not the ones not complying with the rules. The banks are creating their own set of rules and regulations and are consistently “losing” paperwork during the application process, denying modifications for unjustifiable reasons after the trial payments have been successfully completed, and proceeding with the foreclosure process. This is often happening unbeknownst to the homeowners who are still faxing, mailing and e-mailing reams of duplicated documentation as requested by their lenders.

The American Dream has now become the American Nightmare courtesy of the banking industry, which is taking a cavalier approach to the stress, heartache and despair caused by the current lack of oversight, transparency and enforcement of loan modifications. It is of the utmost importance that action be taken to correct this travesty in order to preserve home ownership for the thousands of Americans that are and will continue to be struggling in this economic time.

We urge your swift and immediate action

[caldwellb02]

Let's go!!!!!! Native - I noticed the subtle changes, like putting the sentence about the homeowners not being the ones not in compliance as the first sentence in the paragraph, and other small but powerful changes. We are quite a team.

YES YES YES YES!!!! Let's get this out. I'm going to contact SEIU.

[ama125]

Originally Posted by caldwellb02

someone - ama?- recommended sending the petition to the SEIU. Here's a piece from their chair and I think they should see it as well!

Anna Burger: It's Time for Congress to Investigate the Banks
Source: huffingtonpost.com

I copied the petition and emailed it to SEIU last night. I'll let you all know if they respond.

[caldwellb02]

Good AMA - because I am such a nerdling sometimes I couldn't figure out how to contact them......

So where else does this go?

[nativelasvegan]

Okay.... I am going to start creating the online petition. Will post the link here when I have it completed.

[bloominga]

NOW LET'S GO!!! I'm getting emails ready to send out to all my friends and everyone I can think of on Facebook. I'll post it if I can figure out their new system.

Can we get it out to media and etc too or chould we wait?

YOU TWO ARE THE GREATEST!!!