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Jim,

This is a good time to start enforcing the laws we already have on our books...!!! Thanks,   Fran

Jim, I could not agree more.  I wish the electorate wake up.  When is it going to stop?

Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ (Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.)  I do not know how these self serving traitors can look at themeslves in the mirror!  Dispicable!

David Matney, CRS ~ Omaha NE Real Estate ~ (402) 490-6771 (Alliance Real Estate)  If an elected official had a conflict of interest, they should have first identified it and not voted.  Her husband or relative should not be in a position to profit in any way from her actions!  Absolutely she has now shown us what is really all about...

THE MONEY!!!!!!

Clicked on this and thought you were going to suggest indicting based on the torture memos -- that will come.

Ann Heitland, Associate Broker, CRS, GRI , ABR ~ Flagstaff Real Estate/Community (Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties)  Tourture memos from our politicians?  What congress has done to America is worse!   Half the nation has lost its retirements, the other half their homes, stocks are worth half of what they were a short while ago...the nation is in deep trouble...and the politicians are looting the til.  In my opinion that is worse then torture on society as a whole.

I thought you meant prosecuting Bush Cheny Rumsfield Rove etc. I agree this one needs to go too but where are those?

Jim: I think the $25 billion part may make the indictment part a little difficult. Now if she was a different stripe.......

I love the part of the article that Senator Feinstein claims to not have known the details....I'm sorry but does morality and doing the right involve details...sounds more like she's not sorry for what was done but for what she was caught doing....yet another great example for our youth.

Shane O'Gorman Eau Claire Wisconsin Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell (Eau Claire Realty, Inc.)  As far as I am concerned all of them can be indicted.

Matt Grohe CRS, GRI, ABR (Remax Real Estate Concepts)  The numbers are so large...well be payingfor this for years to come.  Can you spell "S-E-R-F-D-O-M?" The taxpayer is on the hook for all the losses.

Fort Wayne Homes for sale by Brian Kuhns (Coldwell Banker Roth Wehrly Graber)  Congress can literally get a way with murder.  They make Bernie Madoff look like a saint!

Hopefully your blog good get picked up nationally to get the info out more...like radio or tv interviews.

Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus/The Discovery Coach)  I first read about it on ABC news.  It is already out there!

Jim, good blog!  and a great question, I guess as long as the residents in her state keep electing her and others like her this will continue.  There should be an accounting and all of the media has the obligation to ask for that accounting!  Not knowing what her husband is doing is like saying "I'm sorry that you caught me.  I am not sorry that I turned a blind eye and allowed it to happen, but I am honestly sorry that it came to light."

Tony & Darcy Cannon - The C Team (ERA Realty Center) Unlike a congresswoman...it is not just the residents of her state and their tax dollars, it is now national! US Taxpayers. She is a Senator.

Jim:  I totally agree that folks like Senator Feinstein should be prosecuted... right after the last of the culprits in the Bush administration are prosecuted for thievery and treason.  A good place to begin would be with Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, Wolfowitz, Gonzalez, Tom DeLay, Sarah Palin, and a whole host of others.  Let's line them up, and get started !  Once we're finished with them... we can start on Feinstein.  Thanks for this great idea.  Take care...

Jim - investigate and then prosecute, this is not the first time that there has been the appearance of Feinstein's hand in getting business to her husband. As for Ms. Heitland's comment, the day we start prosecuting lawyers for writing legal opinions is the day the proverbial hand basket has reached it's destination. And can somebody clarify, when was Sarah Palin a part of the Bush administration?

Jim, I read it last night and shared a link on Twitter. What next??? I have a feeling more, how about you?

I am listening to stuff this morning about an espionage deal with Gonzalez and a rep who was accidently wired taped. . There are some bad thinks going on out there. I long for the old days where Democrats were caught in sex scandals and Repuplicans in money scandals. It is getting harder to tell them aprt these days

HA!  We all know that nothing will happen.  It never does.  Unless the crime committed by a congressperson involved lascivious acts, the member gets by with it.

The media has connected so many dots on this stinking thing, the image is as clear as the Mona Lisa.  But, you know that, as long as Feinstein is a member in good standing of the party in power, she'll be able to deny any crime or culpability in a crime. 

Mr. Blum, Feinstein's husband, and his firm also made a cool $13,000,000 in the stock trade by buying stock 2 days prior to the award of the contract.  Can anyone spell I N S I D E R  T R A D I N G?

I suspect that sometime today we'll hear the "right wing media persecution" defense.  Isn't that what Frank used last week when a student questioned him about his involvement in the Fannie Mae crimes? 

The memo must have gone out throughout Congress, the White House, the Departments of Government. . . .    "Don't watch what we do, listen to what we say.  The media will cover our talk.  They won't take the time to follow our actions and we can stonewall anyone who does and just call them a part of the Right Wing."

Prediction?  Nothing will happen.

When will the public wake up?  They won't as long as they are under the spell of the "95% of Americans will receive a tax cut". 

We're doomed.

Jim, You know, I never thought much of John Edwards as a politician or a decent human being. Now that I think back though, his idea of "Two Americas" did make sense. One for the Washington political crowd and one for the rest of us suckers. Rich

I have been trying to get people to focus on the root cause and the real issues and not all the distractions.  This is much deeper that the last administration.

The only one that have heard speak publicly about the root cause of the financial crisis is Elizabeth Warren on an interview with Jon Steward (The Daily Show). 

She understands and I really hope the American public will wake to the big picture.  Repair the broken system and YES through the bums in jail the had a hand in the mess.

Jim, I did a post yesterday describing the commissions that they are getting from the FDIC to sell the properties.  6% with an extra 2% if sold in 6 months.  They collect a $400 upfront setup fee.  They also get a $200/month listing management fee.  For properties under $25,000 the commsission is $7500 is sold in 6 months.  Nice work if you can get it.

Jim, unfortunately the ever righteous media is too concerned with what Britney Spears is doing than that.  Where the hell are Woodward and Bernstein when you need them?

Jim, On top of all the illegal stuff going on and the "getting away with it" what can we seriously expect of our children?

Thanks to Karen Anne Stone for her comment. Where do you start and where do you end? And who has the right to call someone a traitor which is also an accusation of treason. Mike, I think the addition of Sarah Palin was to make a point about how we start from our own reality and try to impose it on others. She was being ironic.

Jim, I am appalled and sickened by the misuse of Congressional powers.  Serfdom  is just around the corner for us, too true.  My grandkids will never know the life I had, except in stories related. Now a Congressperson Harmon was found on tape doing a dastardly deed and all she has to say is, I want a transcript? 

And the beat goes on...

I agree and find it incredulous that some will attempt to overlook one action because of something someone else purportedly did.... The logic is illogical.

Jim - Corruption in any form needs to be prosecuted.  Our "so-called" leaders apparently feel they're "above the law."  Their actions are brazen full of self-interest.  It no longer seems that the welfare of the people is important to any of them (regardless of party). 

If it was not so sad, it would almost be funny!

Politics as usual, Washington does not understand the definition of change my friends.

Have a Profitable Day Everyone!

- Harrison

Makes sense and maybe we can also start enforcing the laws and prosecutions for those who authorized torture and domestic wire tapping and the folks who allowed all of the other financial crimes to develop. Like the first commenter, Fran, said "This is a good time to start enforcing the laws we already have on our books...!!!" And as you said "go after all of them", no one should be above the law! 

I think their philosophy boils down to "Don't do what I do, do what I tell you to do".  What a disgraceful method of leadership and what a terrible lesson to the next generation.  

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW)  It is funny how you name right along political lines, and we have a Democratic Congress that controls all of this.  Why not drop the party junk and indict them all?  I have not problem with that.  People need to move past their parties because they have us drinking the koolaid.  It is Congress both parties is the problem! 

Mike Saunders (Keller Williams Realty - Greater Athens)  Thansk Mike for the sanity check!  I agree!

Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor)  I agree Missy.  I want to see more investigations!  This is incredibly bold and brazen of them.

Charlie Ragonesi 706- 579-1098 (All Mountain Realty)  Charlie you are right on the money!

I said it before and I'll say it again, Term Limits, Term Limits, Term Limits, and Ban all lobbyist. America needs to wake up also, we need to stop being 1 issue voters.

Jim- thanks for getting me fired up this morning!!!

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate  Lenn well said!  I like that line "...Under a spell!"  In the long run...nothing will happen!

Richard Iarossi, Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate (Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.)  I agree here are two Americas!  One for us law abiding citizens, and one where the laws do not apply at all.

Mark Watterson Utah Real Estate (Principle Realty Group, Inc)  You hit a keyword "Distractions!"

Every new day brings another fresh revelation of self-serving deceit and thievery.  This superpower nation seems to sinking in the muck of its own making.

Hello Jim

Good post. What we're seeing is unfortunately one of the many by-products of our declining standards of morality. We've become a very selfish society, no longer content to earn a fair return for a fair day's works. It's very much about about getting what we can for ourselves and ours before anyone else does.

What's particularly galling is that government positions used to be considered "public service". Instead, they've become "self service". Whatever the party and despite the message, the results inevitably speak for themselves and, for every time someone is "caught" and written about, a number probably "get away" with it.

As someone else mentioned, media is laughable, more interested in "reality tv" than serious reporting, encouraging a "get rich at any cost" mentality that, despite lip service to the contrary, is demonstrated at every level of commerce and government.

After Katrina, one heard stories of contractors bilking people out of millions in fraudulent rebuilds. When the housing market started crashing and foreclosures hit, how many companies suddenly appeared to "help" people with their mortgages? Somewhere, in recent years, as a society we seem to have lost our moral compass. It's okay to make money at another's expense in wellbeing, not just financially. There is something terribly wrong with this mindset because it seems to be pervasive and not limited to just a few.

One can only hope that the pendulum will swing back one day. If it doesn't, we're in a heck of a lot of trouble.

Dave

Good reply and Good Post.  Not only are we a selfish society.  i belive we are raising the weakest generation yet.  the level of entitlement is scary. 

In addition to Sen. Feinstein, iIt's interesting to note that Barney Frank was a major force behind why we are in this housing mess and now he is the one shaking his fist at everyone else while he is trying to fix things. Our elected officials need term limits!

I guess that Nancy Pelosi meant more corruption when she said she was going to change the "culture of corruption" in DC.  Of course the big difference seems to be that Republicans leave office after they get nailed... Democrats get re-elected.  It is a pretty long list, too. 

How in the world are they going to police 25 BILLION? The answer is, they aren't. This is only the tip of the iceburg which our children and grandchildren are going to have to pay for..

The old statement about politicians comes to mind, "Sure they're a crook, but they're our crook."  As long as they steal enough to keep their constituients happy, they'll get re-elected.  The rest of the citizens in the U.S. may want them out in the worst way, but we have no say in their election.  Face it folks, unless we ALL become activists who stand on moral principles and who cannot be swayed by financial inducements, we're done.  Just keeping your head down and trying to make a living won't cut it any longer because they ultimately want to control all of our money and our time too.  Our system has become broken and we desperately need a complete reset.

Who voted in these clowns? Whoever wanted bigger gubmint anyway?  What were they going to "change"? 

Great post and thanks for increasing my blood pressure this am also.

Jim,

I am sure there would be some enforcement if the democrats did not control both houses of congress and the presidency. I am surprised this got featured but it deserved to!

@ Michael:  We already HAVE term limits... on each and every office.  It's called "Voting."  If enough people don't like someone in office, vote them out and vote someone else in.  What a concept !

The next election cycle should see a complete house cleaning.  It's time to get rid of them all.  Once the sleeping public is awakened it could get ugly.

We need Federal term limits. Career politicians are bad for America.

I once put my trust in a certain Sen. Phil Gramm because he was my Economics 301 professor at Texas A&M University prior to his running for political office. He turned into just another politician once he found out how much money politicians can get outside their salary. I now believe that all politicians are crooks, even the good ones because they simply don't get caught. It's a disease that is caused by unregulated capitalistic greed and transcends all political parties, genders, religions, sexual orientations, ethnicities, states, districts, cities..................

The public keeps re-electing the same people over and over and over again, with a few rare exceptions. It's like the grass-is-greener syndrome for politics: All politicians are bad except my politician.

Jim, I don't know what to say. I really used to like Senator Feinstein when she was mayor of San Francisco while I was growing up. Now I am so glad to say I no longer live in California. I could never move back. I am embarassed enough by Senator Reid.

It is sad but there will be no change as long as the majority of Americans is more interested in the results from American Idol than a member of Congress doing something wrong.

The politicians do not care about the average American and know that we cannot do anything about it.

Let's all put our heads back in the sand and let the politician blame the last group, then the next group. It is all politicians, they need to clean there own house. But it will never happen as long as we the people take sides.

There ought to be a citizens group that can take this to task. It just makes one sick to hear one side blame Bush the other blame Obama and it is neither.

Congress runs this country and will until the dicatater comes. They and they alone have screwed this up and are to blame, whether republican, democrat or whatever.

We are more interested in prosecuting people for torturing known terrorist. Democracy is in serious trouble. The rich are way too rich and are screwing us poor mopes into the ground.

I think its hillarious to have politicians grilling CEOs on how bad of a job they have done, when politicians are doing a worse job. We are just too stupid to do anything about it.

Jim,

We are setting up a fine 2 party system. The haves, in congress, and the have nots, the American public...

Hi Jim, Before I get too exercised about this ( I don't like the way it smells... ) I would need to see the actual effects of this deal. The Ellis Co. is very well thought of and is perhaps the best company to do whatever they are being asked.  Please provide us more than the headline.

Jim,

I think that Lenn touched on the bigger issue ... insider trading.  Her husband made huge dollars on the stock deal and had to know the deal was coming from FDIC. I think that Fienstein should borrow 6 moths worth of orange jumpsuit wardrobe from Martha Stewart!

When we make torture legal, how can we then scream about financial wrong doing? I agree, something is rotten in the state of Denmark but everything is so political that nothing gets fixed. And we are a big part of the problem. The number of voters who are truly educated about the issues is astonishing. I lived in Spain for 12 years, and it was enlightening looking back on my home country from a distance and through different lenses. You can imagine how hard it was to explain why we do the things we do. Oh well, one can only hope things will change, but I doubt it.

Jim: Nothing will be done, it will be swept under the rug with the rest of the dirt.

I'm not sure how or when it happened, but the American people no longer have a voice in Washington.  It seems like no matter who we elect, we get more of the same.

Jim - This is just yet another example of how society has changed over the years.  It's an all about me world, and people are not concerned anymore with morals and doing the right thing.  Like others wrote, people are not remourceful for what they did, but for getting caught - a big difference!  I don't know if things will ever go back to the way they were.  I am saddened by these events, and it makes it very difficult to raise children these days.

Tim Maitski "Video Agent Guy" (HomeAtlanta.com) What a taxpayer rip off!  I know agents that are working 10 months on a small 10K deal!

Kevin Cavanaugh Associate Broker (Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Rand Realty)  You are right! Too many are easily distracted by the side shows of life.    They point the finger of politics and miss the entire bank robbery!

Barb Szabo E-pro Realtor Cleveland Ohio Homes (RE/MAX Trinity)  The scary thing is they are making no effort to even hide their actions.

Joe Pryor.com Realtor Oklahoma Investment Properties (RE/MAX Associates)  Thank you for your thoughts. 

Gail Tassey**South Austin Real Estate Austin Texas **512-217-9482 (Sky Realty Austin)  The Justice Dept.  wants a lot more answers.  We all should have a transcript.

Gary Waters -Real estate agent Viera Suntree Melbourne and Rockledge FL (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)  I agree.  Any lawbreaker should be prosecuted.  It should be non political.

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Geneva Chervenic Realty, Inc.)  I agree.  No one is above the law.

Harrison Painter Indianapolis, IN Real Estate For Sale! (Gladiator Real Estate Group)  Thanks for commenting.

Russell Lewis, Broker,CLHMS,GRI (AvenueOne Properties, Inc.)  I agree. No one is above any law.  If a law is broken go after the offenders.  I do not think it has anything to do with politics. 

Here is my thought.. If someone robs a bank, do we stop and say..."Are they are Republican or a Democrat?  No, we should arrest the thief and prosecute them.  That is why we refer to 'Justice as being blind!'  It does not matter who is doing the crime, what color, what age etc....it is that the lawbreaker placed themselves above the law, and others whose lives they adversely impacted.  The idea is to bring them to justice.

Lora "Leah" Stern, Realtor Rockland County Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)  I agree Lora, they should be leading in these tough times by an example.

Michael Zollo-Certified Residential Appraiser, South Florida (A-Z Appraisals, Inc.)  Term limits and a ban on lobbyists would be the right thing to do!  Thanks Michael!

Norma Toering Rolling Hills & Palos Verdes Property (REMAX Palos Verdes Realty Lic# 01147470)  I agree.  This is why we are in the mess we are in.

Dave Segrove (JDE LTD)   I love your insights and comments!  "...government positions used to be considered "public service". Instead, they've become "self service"."

Marcus Valdez (Keller Williams Realty of Northern Colorado) 

The road to entitlement is paved by apathy!  The price is huge!

Integrity Mortgage Funding  Those elected officials that made rulings that favored themselves with free loans, and lobbyist donations while they sat on committees that oversaw these groups should be prosecuted.  Not only is it unethical it is illegal.  It is called "bribery, and influence peddling!"

Lane Bailey - REALTOR & Car Guy (Diamond Dwellings Realty)  Lane...the phrase of "Talking out of both side of their mouth" now has new meaning.

Norma Brandsberg (Marks Realty Co. Inc.)  You are right, but the price tag is in the trillions!

Eric Martell (RE/MAX Properties SW, Inc.)  Again, there is a major price to be paid for 'Apathy!'

Gold Country Realty  Thank you.

Mike Frazier, Dyersburg Tn Real Estate (Carousel Realty of Dyer County)  Thanks, but politics aside...a crime is a crime.  In the USA... is justice totally blind to the enforcement of law?

Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (New Home Hunters DFW)..I agree there is tremendous power we all have in our right to vote, but when anyone breaks the law they should not get away with it.

Donna Quanrud Realtor® Minnetonka Minnesota Fine Homes (Coldwell Banker Burnet)  I often wonder what will really wake up Americans?

Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant)  Amen!  Well said!

Christianne Gordon, Realtor®, e-PRO CDPE Carson Valley Nevada Real Estate (Northern Nevada Real Estate - RE/MAX Realty Affiliates)  I guess there is truth to the old saying "Power corrupts!" In a lot of crimes those that commit the offense misuse the trust you have placed in them...so the may achieve their own goals.

Light up the blogosphere with this story. Go post comments on other blogs in other forums and eventually it will get heard. You tube your outrage. Eventually it will get out. The TEA parties are just our beginning.

Mark Brian (Silver Star Real Estate LLC)  Mark, you and I are on the same page.

Charles Stallions Real Estate 800-309-3414 Pensacola, Fl.   Charles very well said.  These side shows keep us distracted as they rob the bank.

If a person looks at all the lines in the sand drawn over elective issues....abortion, stem cell research, liberal, conservative etc... we constantly point fingers at one another and the politicians get to rape the land.  Jobs still leave the country, the government gets bigger, less is done, and at the end of the day these supposed diametrically opposed opponents will play a game of golf at the same country club and have drinks together.  We need to move past the party thing!

The bottom line is that we are the ones that are screwed no mater who gets in.

Overland Park Homes for sale and Real Estate :: Michael Russell (Overland Park KS Realty Executives )  I agree.  We are cought up in all the BS side issues while the bank is being robbed.  It is a diversion!

Aaron Poling (Long & Foster)  LOL!  I agree!  No bonuses for CEO's, while the congress loots us blind!  The sad thing is there is no cure for stupid.

Paul Henderson, Realtor ® Lacey & Dupont Washington homes (RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.)  I agree.  Congress can get away with murder, and views themselves above the law.  The rich are usurping more and more power and wealth!

Bill Gillhespy Fort Myers Beach Realtor (Century 21 Tripower Realty)  The story is attached to this post when I wrote it, and it is all over the news.  Diane Feinstein's husband is the chairman of Grubb and Ellis.  BTW...I am sure there were loads of great people working for Bernie Madhoff but it was still a Ponzi scheme! 

A senators husband should not directly be benefitting from her connections should they?  On Wall Street, that would be called "Insider trading!"  It is illegal. So Congress is exempt from this?

Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate (Solid Source Realty)  I agree.  I posted a blog last year on Martha Stewart getting the book thrown at her...and everyone else got a pass!

The only thing that will cause any change will be an apocalyptic event which renders the world as we know it obsolete and each and every individual is responsible for themselves and their family and if you F@#K with me you just may lose your life.  Then things will be different.

Bob Southard,e-Pro Powder Springs and Marietta Real Estate (Solid Source Realty)  We all need to educate ourselves on the issues.  I too doubt it will ever happen.  Thanks for your comments.

Karen Luke - Henry County Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty )  Karen I like your viewpoint!

Ross Westerman, REALTOR® Kingwood TX & Montgomery County Homes and Land (RossWesterman.com (713)859-1286 EXiT Realty Solutions)  9-11 did not change this nation nor is this economic meltdown changing things.  People need to wake up.

9-11 was not drastic enough at all, it did not change anything at all.

Jim,

The people who are in position to prosecute are as guilty. I have been angry for months. This latest does not help. The news leads distract us. Our leaders are moved by lobby moneyr, kickbacks and sometimes polls.

The only fix is to vote incumbents out - look at the pressure Bush is getting on torture questions.

Vote out incumbents. My vote anyway.

Richard

Jim:

It is no different than AL Capone days, just without guns.

Richard

Ross Westerman, REALTOR® Kingwood TX & Montgomery County Homes and Land (RossWesterman.com (713)859-1286 EXiT Realty Solutions)  I agree.

Richard Smith Mortgages Home Loans FHA TN GA AL (American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc) I agree. I think there are some good incumbants.  We must be selective.  The vote is one way, the other must be to demand investigations and trials.

Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates)  Well said.

HOW do these people keep getting re-elected???  When did we fall asleep at the wheel and allow the stupid to be the only ones voting?  This will not change until "We The Voters" take action.  Our VOTES equal Term limits!

Remember:  The world is run by those who choose to show up.  We'd better start showing up.

Corruption is just daily life. I laugh when I hear people say other governments are corrupt. We need only look inside our own house to see corruption on every level. The Dems got hold of the wallet and they are loving it. At this rate we will all be filing BK before the end of this term.

Xcellent post! Wow, you must of hit a jugular, reading the comments. Kind of revealing though that the age group you seem to have hit the hardest is the older generation. Couldn't help but notice there weren't many Gen X  or Y's. A few, but not that many. Is this another indication that we are headed in the wrong direction? I don't know,.. Keep the faith! That's all we seem to have left,..

(Disclosure - Im also a member of the Grey Panthers.)

Lisa Oden (Results Realty Services)  There are not a lot of requirements for those that want to vote. 

Steven Beam (RE/MAX Alliance - Parker Colorado Real Estate.)  Corruption is pervassive, but I do not feel it is limited to one party.  We need oversight, investigations and enforcement of law.

Jim Price, Au Glaize Real Estate Co. Wapakoneta, OH  Thanks!  It really should not be just generational, but I can believe your comments.  My observations is that it is the price we have to pay for being apathetic.

Jim - It's amazing that they feel they have a higher authority and can do whatever the heck they want.

It's as bad as the so called big "Government Bailout" to Freddie/Fannie to pay back for the HUGE contributions for the new election. Knew that would be coming. He owed them, they wanted it, and they got it. Even Hollywood of all places got a big chunk...Imagine that...Hollywood needing Money from the Government. Is it a lie? ....or just a ploy agreed upon to get money from an easy source? All of a sudden there are recorded big profits? All of a sudden within a month?   

A little more research turns up the fact that Feinstein's husband is the Chairman of the Board, that the contract was awarded by the FDIC staff, and that the contracts were competitively bid on. I have no problem with anyone under any circumstances winning contracts based on competitive bidding. Bush and his cohorts awarding contracts to Schlumberger and others of their friends to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan without competitive bidding is where problems arise.

Maria Mastrolonardo - Naperville Illinois Real Estate (RE/MAX of Naperville)  Isn't it scary?

ANONYMOUS - I agree wiht all you said....plus it our money.

Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector (Russel Ray, Property Consultant)  Thanks for the info...so you don't mind the politicians from any party spending your tax dollars like this?    My thoughts is that 2 wrongs  do not make a right! I am not writing this as an indictment against one party.  I think the entire system has become corrupt!    When is a politician entitled to reach into your pocket to pay for something they want or will enrich themselves?  Never!

Jim,

I pray Americans are beginning to wake up.

A revolution is brewing!!

Alice Linahan (Keller Williams)  Alice...sometimes I wonder if it too little too late?  I hope you are right.

It's starting to sound and feel like the end of the Great Roman Empire, The way they had the Gladiatorial Games, to keep the masses quit, and hide the graft and corruption, we today have Wrestle Mania, and Brittney Spears!

Michael Zollo-Certified Residential Appraiser, South Florida (A-Z Appraisals, Inc.)  And we are using mercinaries in Iraq.  Who says history does not repeat itself?

Jim- Sad very sad, but very true.

Michael Zollo-Certified Residential Appraiser, South Florida (A-Z Appraisals, Inc.)  Michael...the sad thing is that we live in a society that has never witnessed this type of market correction.  In my own life this recession has no point of reference.  I am at a total loss.

Jim...this story is a disgraceful example of a politician caught in the act again.....tar and feather is too good for these type of people

Steve Harless "Your Las Vegas Real Estate Connection" (REALTY WORLD LUXURY HOMES - 702.217.1680) Steve, you're right!  It is too good for them.

Corruption has been the prevailing theme in our "Leadership".    The Internet has just made it a bit more transparent and easier to discuss.   Maybe the politicians are getting bolder and bolder, no longer fearing the repercussions.  Hey, didn't that happen a few hundred years ago in Marie Antoinette's France?  (sans the Internet, of course...)

BTW, as long as special interest is funding politics in America, nothing will change. We need a grassroots movement, a peaceful and intelligent new direction.

Hey, I have a novel idea: we could use our founders' concept of checks and balances! 

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection  I think the Intenet is great that persons can vent their frustrations.  We do not have to read a prepared news wire service.  We can form our own opinions,and share our own insights.  I think the movement has started already.

Jim:  I agree; the movement has already started!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection  Now let's hope it gets some momentum!  :)