Sometimes Symbolism is Everything

If your brother-in-law showed up at your house looking to borrow a ton of money, and as he was talking you noticed his Mercedes Maybach in the driveway, you might not be too sympathetic to his cause, would you?

That's pretty much what happened yesterday in Washington, D.C. The leaders of the Big Three automakers came to Washington looking for their share of the federal government's bail out money. Each of the leaders flew to Washington in their respective company's private, corporate jet. The cost of these individual flights are estimated to be $20,000 each - and that does not even take into the consideration the environmental impacts.

Strong, effective arguments have been made about the use of corporate jets. Warren Buffett railed about them for years until he actually used one, and then he had an epiphany: An executive's time is better spent being whisked in and out of airports so he or she can focus on making major, money-making decisions.

An argument can also be made that politics focuses too much on the symbolic. President-elect Obama's campaign was almost derailed by the flag-pin-on-the-lapel controversy, for instance.

But in this case, Congressman Gary Ackerman was correct to point out the Big Three executives' collective hubris. We get that the automakers are hurting, and that the demise of these companies will lead to the demise of many others. We're all hurting. Wouldn't a demonstration that the executives are feeling that pain have been the proper thing to do? Can you blame Congress for turning its back? Would you lend money to someone tooling around in a Maybach?

Opportunities are available for builders to rehab foreclosed homes

This item is from this week's NAHB bulletin.

HUD is distributing nearly $4 billion to states and local communities to help them remove foreclosed and abandoned properties from the market in a process aimed at stabilizing neighborhoods that have been hit hard by the housing crisis. As part of the new Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that was included in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act passed by Congress this summer.

Following rules established by HUD, such homes can be purchased and rehabilitated, or if they are too deteriorated, they can be demolished and redeveloped. The funds may also be used to provide financing for eligible households to purchase these properties. States and localities may choose to administer the NSP program directly or by contracting with a third party. While the law does not permit any entity to make a profit on the sale of these homes, builders may earn developer fees as part of the rehabilitation or redevelopment costs.

NAHB members should contact their local or state government to find out how the program will be implemented and what opportunities may be available for builders. For an NAHB summary of the program rules,click here. For information about the program from HUD, click here..

Just Empty The Damn Dishwasher Already

The drama unfolding in our nation's capitol yesterday reminded me of watching my two teenage sons argue over whose turn it was to empty the dishwasher. Each boy presents passionate explanations and defenses as to why he should not have to sully his hands with such a menial task as lifting dishes, glasses and silverware from the appliance under the counter to the cabinet and drawer above the counter.

As you listen to the arguments made individually you might even find yourself siding with one boy over the other. But you don't because you're the parent and you just want the damn dishwasher emptied and you don't see what the big deal is, seeing as both boys live rent free and eat rather well. If the world made sense, if it were fair and just, the boys would be fighting over who would show their parents just how grateful they are for the largesse of living under someone else's roof.

If the world were fair and just and made sense our elected officials would welcome the opportunity to do the right thing for the country. Instead we get "This is all his fault" and "I'm not going to vote for this if she's going to take that attitude."

The only way to settle the dishwasher debate is for the parent to step in and say, "Enough! You both live here, you both have to empty the dishwasher. Figure it out and get it done." Then you walk away and come back a few minutes later to make sure the deed is done.

That's what we as voters need to do. Call our representatives in Congress and say, "Enough already. Get it done." To their credit, all five Congressional representatives from Long Island - Peter King, Steve Israel, Tim Bishop, Carolyn McCarthy and Gary Ackerman - voted for the bailout. They need to convince their Congressional brethren, however, of the gravity of the situation, that this is not the federal government bailing out the "fat cats" of Wall Street but rather the government doing what it is supposed to do - step in where needed to ensure that the country can function.

The longer we wait, the deeper the hole. Get it done already.