Posts Tagged ‘elizabeth warren’

Why Does Ocwen Want to Modify Loans? Answer: Because they profit by doing so.

Why Does Ocwen Want to Modify Loans?  Answer: Because they profit by doing so.

The thing is that no one wants to think that the horror show we've all witnessed these last five years hasn't been part of a nefarious plot to steal homes and take over the world somehow. That would at... (Continue reading)

Borrowers Facing Foreclosure Should be Dancing in the Streets Over “˜X’ and “˜Z’ and Here’s Why

Borrowers Facing Foreclosure Should be Dancing in the Streets Over

So, there you have it... a solid check mark in the "WIN" column for consumers over the interests of the banking industry. And I don't think Realtors, mortgage brokers, or even the banks themselves have come to fully understand... (Continue reading)

NOW AVAILABLE: The RMBS Trust/Modification Analysis Report for Homeowners

NOW AVAILABLE: The RMBS Trust/Modification Analysis Report for Homeowners

With this report, when your servicer says they can't do something... you'll know whether what they've said is accurate or not. Imagine the power of being able to show a mediator exactly what's been done to modify the other... (Continue reading)

GUEST POST: Don’t Be Concerned Martin Is Dead Wrong, by Michael Pines

GUEST POST: Don't Be Concerned Martin Is Dead Wrong, by Michael Pines

My article was nonsense, according to Michael Pines? Well, that would certainly be disappointing, I wasn't aware that I had ever written an article that was considered nonsense by anyone. I'm not saying that everyone likes what I... (Continue reading)

IBANEZ & BACK: Attorney Glenn Russell Back in Front of the Mass Supreme Court – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

IBANEZ & BACK: Attorney Glenn Russell Back in Front of the Mass Supreme Court - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Well, fast forward to today and Glenn Russell is still very much on the attack on behalf of homeowners, in fact, he just finished arguing his latest case, again in front of the Massachusetts' High Court. I don't want... (Continue reading)

The Discovery of Robo-Signing – Memorable Moments from the Foreclosure Crisis

The Discovery of Robo-Signing - Memorable Moments from the Foreclosure Crisis

By now the term "robo-signing" has practically become a household word. But it wasn't always that way. Just a few years ago no one had ever heard the term before. So, where did it all begin... and... (Continue reading)

Foreclosures Impact One in 10 Children in this Country Today, Report Shows

Foreclosures Impact One in 10 Children in this Country Today, Report Shows

No matter, the more important conclusion reached by the report is that, "Nearly four years later, the problem shows no signs of abating." And isn't that just a lovely thought that made me throw up in my mouth a... (Continue reading)

View from Inside the Financial Crisis with Former Treasury Chief Economist Phillip Swagel – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

View from Inside the Financial Crisis with Former Treasury Chief Economist Phillip Swagel - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Here's your first chance to listen to Phillip Swagel on a Mandelman Matters Podcast... he'll be back again... but you don't want to miss this one because we won't be going backward in time, so click PLAY below and listen... (Continue reading)

Homeowners: Start Your Emails… This is Your Chance for $50 Billion Principal Reductions

Homeowners: Start Your Emails... This is Your Chance for $50 Billion Principal Reductions

Please take this chance to make your voice heard, and tell everyone you know whose home is underwater they should do the same. We screamed our heads off about AIG bonuses, both in the streets and in the tens... (Continue reading)

What’s the difference between Spain and the USA? Empatía y sentido común. Sí, es verdad.

What’s the difference between Spain and the USA?  Empatía y sentido común.  Sí, es verdad.

"In Spain right now, we have nearly a million empty housing units. In this situation, the government and the economy ministry ... has to take steps so that no family in good faith goes without a home."... (Continue reading)

Former SIGTARP Neil Barofsky – The Last Honest Man in Washington – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Former SIGTARP Neil Barofsky - The Last Honest Man in Washington - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Settle in and get ready to hear the real inside scoop on how Washington works and too often doesn't. It may cause vomiting and probably shouldn't be listened to if you have a heart condition... I'm really not sure.... (Continue reading)

PREVIEW: Neil Barofsky talks BAILOUT on a Mandelman Matters Podcast

PREVIEW: Neil Barofsky talks BAILOUT on a Mandelman Matters Podcast

Neil Barofsky is a name I'll never forget, and it won't be hard for anyone to understand why that's the case when I tell you the reason why. Neil was the Special Inspector General for the Treasury's Troubled Asset... (Continue reading)

Understanding Elite Fraud and the Mortgage Meltdown with William K. Black – A MM Podcast

Why has no one at the top been investigated or prosecuted for fraud or anything else for that matter as related to the financial meltdown that has destroyed trillions of dollars in consumer wealth? Especially when William K. Black's... (Continue reading)

Republican Filibuster Discloses that GOP Opposes DISCLOSURE

 Republican Filibuster Discloses that GOP Opposes DISCLOSURE

Killing this bill facilitates lying to the American people. And short of something that's kept secret in order to protect our national defense, there is never a reason we should tolerate anyone or anything that does that.... (Continue reading)

Attention DOERS… You DID IT Again! SunTrust Responds.

Attention DOERS... You DID IT Again!  SunTrust Responds.

Marty said that the SunTrust Bank executive said they should be able to do something to prevent her from losing her home. Marty said it was the first time in four years that she felt like someone was actually... (Continue reading)

Loan Modifications Stop Foreclosures, Study Shows. DOER ALERT!

Loan Modifications Stop Foreclosures, Study Shows. DOER ALERT!

Don't have time right now? MAKE TIME RIGHT NOW. Read this and DO SOMETHING.... (Continue reading)

Elizabeth Warren Asks Netroots Nation a Question. Problem is, I think the answer is NO.

Elizabeth Warren Asks Netroots Nation a Question.  Problem is, I think the answer is NO.

The real point is that we don't deserve someone like Elizabeth Warren and likely won't get her or anyone like her until we can answer her question about being ready with a resounding YES! and really mean it, as in... (Continue reading)

Mandelman made $454,000 in 1 year as student loan debt collector?

Mandelman made $454,000 in 1 year as student loan debt collector?

Have you found your mortgage servicer to be a tad offensive at times. Well, that's to be expected, after all, they are a bill collector, right? Well, here's some news that will drive you insane... mortgage servicers are... (Continue reading)

OBLABLA or MITTENS for President in 2012? Here’s how I’m going to choose…

OBLABLA or MITTENS for President in 2012?  Here's how I'm going to choose...

"While Paulson didn't want to write down mortgages, the single biggest factor in determining whether the American middle class has any stored wealth, Paulson was willing to do so in response to pressure. Barack Obama... (Continue reading)

UTAH Foreclosure Help from Mandelman Matters – START HERE

UTAH Foreclosure Help from Mandelman Matters – START HERE

I decided that I had to do more to help stop homeowners from getting ripped off, by providing the state specific information homeowners need to make the right decisions for their individual goals and circumstances. Moving forward on the... (Continue reading)

Finally, Jamie Dimon and I Agree on Something

Finally, Jamie Dimon and I Agree on Something

Oh, good Lord. We're still doing this sort of thing, huh? Some guy at JPMorgan Chase in London was gambling with credit default swaps, no one was watching, and next thing you know the bank was down $2... (Continue reading)

We know they’re not evil, because they’re simply not smart enough to be evil.

We know they’re not evil, because they’re simply not smart enough to be evil.

The European bankers are no different than is the FHFA, which is led by Ed DeMarco, the guy stopping Fannie and Freddie from reducing principal balances of mortgages. He says he won't do it because his job is to... (Continue reading)

Thinking Out Loud… Über-Trendy Rich New Yorkers & Ethiopian Cuisine

Thinking Out Loud… Über-Trendy Rich New Yorkers & Ethiopian Cuisine

Doesn't it just figure that in this country, where we have so much food we that throw away inconceivable amounts on an hourly basis and literally pay farmers millions of dollars not to grow stuff... that we'd have trendy intellectuals... (Continue reading)

Introducing 30 MINUTES OF TALKING – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Introducing 30 MINUTES OF TALKING - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

This week's show focuses on the Obama Administration's handling of the foreclosure and housing crisis, by examining the statements made during the press conference the administration held to announce the settlement between the 49 state attorneys general and the five... (Continue reading)

Federal Judge Magner: Wells Fargo’s Behavior “Highly Reprehensible”

Federal Judge Magner: Wells Fargo's Behavior

I can tell you that I receive more complaints about Wells Fargo refusing to approve loan modifications than any three other mortgage servicers combined. But then, Wells did modify one of the homeowners I wrote about a few months... (Continue reading)

GUEST POST: A Letter to President Obama, from James Deal, Attorney at Law

GUEST POST: A Letter to President Obama, from James Deal, Attorney at Law

I write to identify a policy change that would add trillions of dollars of liquidity to the housing market overnight. It would stimulate home sales, stabilize home prices, and reduce the number of home foreclosures.... (Continue reading)

MUST SEE TV: WA State Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case Against MERS

MUST SEE TV: WA State Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case Against MERS

The video below puts you in the courtroom to watch as both sides of the debate present oral arguments related to MERS' involvement in the foreclosure process in front of the nine justices of the Washington State Supreme Court.... (Continue reading)

You’ve got to give it up for the Spaniards… unless they’re bankers.

You’ve got to give it up for the Spaniards… unless they’re bankers.

Clearly, today's news from Spain shows that when it comes to protesting, Americans have lost some of our creativity and are simply not up for it as often as we once were. Frankly, many have expressed concern about... (Continue reading)

Ellen Brown, President of the Public Banking Institute, Has a Plan – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Ellen Brown, President of the Public Banking Institute, Has a Plan - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

If you're not already familiar with Ellen Brown, then I might as well just go ahead and say: "Your welcome," because I can't imagine anyone not liking this prolific blogger, author of 11 books, attorney, and President and Chairman of... (Continue reading)

Max Gardner & Nye Lavalle Together in Concert – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Max Gardner & Nye Lavalle Together in Concert - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Having Nye Lavalle and Max Gardner together is a rare event. Together, they would have to be considered the founding fathers of today's foreclosure defense movement, so this is an opportunity to learn how it all began and where... (Continue reading)

Bringing Up the REAR – Charles Gasparino, Fox Business Network

Bringing Up the REAR – Charles Gasparino, Fox Business Network

Also, I'm wondering something... when you say that, "foreclosures are a necessary ingredient to the housing market's recovery," how many do you figure we're going to need in order to "recover?" ... (Continue reading)

Watch this! Ireland wants the same answers we do.

Watch this! Ireland wants the same answers we do.

Ireland journalist won't give up. Why do our journalists fail to get started?... (Continue reading)

New Jersey Supreme Court’s Guillaume decision meaningless – Should foreclosure defense rethink its strategy?

New Jersey Supreme Court's Guillaume decision meaningless - Should foreclosure defense rethink its strategy?

Why is there no effort to hold the administration and member of Congress accountable for what has clearly been their failure related to the federal government's loan modification initiative? Why are we accepting such utter failure and holding them... (Continue reading)

Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris ASKS Fannie and Freddie to Stop Foreclosing

 Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris ASKS Fannie and Freddie to Stop Foreclosing

Actually, I don't even know if she can pull off that angry black woman thing, but that's exactly what we need at a time like this. You think Weezy Jefferson would be putting up with some nerdy pasty white... (Continue reading)

America Needs Buddy for President in 2012!

America Needs Buddy for President in 2012!

If one million people give $70 each, that's more than any of the GOP candidates has raised. He needs to get 15% in a national poll to get on the stage during the presidential debates so he can challenge... (Continue reading)

It’s Gretchen Morgenson from The New York Times – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

It's Gretchen Morgenson from The New York Times - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Lately, Gretchen has been really going strong on foreclosure-related topics... the fraudulent document scandal, the Fannie report, DocX, the AG settlement, so I thought now would be a good time to have her on a Mandelman Matters Podcast.... (Continue reading)

Stuff Ex-Homeowners Can Buy for $2,000

Stuff Ex-Homeowners Can Buy for $2,000

The monetary terms aspect of the mortgage settlement agreement is completely worthless to everyone. Three billion to provide refinancing for underwater mortgages? If that was executed perfectly, it MIGHT refinance 15,000 homes nationwide. Why even bother doing... (Continue reading)

Greece Will Leave EU… They Should Do It Now.

Greece Will Leave EU... They Should Do It Now.

Dear Greece... The Dracma will be fine and so will the people, but not if you wait too long, or if you continue with a prime minister who is an ex-central banker. Toss him out, re-shuffle the deck and... (Continue reading)

Foreclosing on Oscar… Mandelman’s List of Best Picture nominees

Foreclosing on Oscar… Mandelman's List of Best Picture nominees

I haven't actually seen any of them, but I've gone ahead and described them, so you can see the candidates through my somewhat jaded perspective... and my list is likely a little different than the others you'll run across... I... (Continue reading)

OneWest Bank DOES IT for Lisa in Massachusetts! (DOERS ROCK!)

OneWest Bank DOES IT for Lisa in Massachusetts!  (DOERS ROCK!)

Plus, in Massachusetts, do you know how they do it? They auction the home off right on the soon to be ex-homeowner's front lawn, for all to see. I'll tell you what... that is some 17th century nonsense... (Continue reading)

MM EXCLUSIVE: AZ Bill Writes Down Underwater Loans for Homeowners – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

MM EXCLUSIVE: AZ Bill Writes Down Underwater Loans for Homeowners - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

"In Arizona we don't ignore problems, nor do we pretend they aren't there," Sen. Reagan explains. "Obviously, the federal programs aren't going to address our state's needs, and that's fine. We're perfectly capable of doing what's best for... (Continue reading)

Foreclosure Politics Here and Across the Pond – Professor David Coates on a Mandelman Matters Podcast

Foreclosure Politics Here and Across the Pond - Professor David Coates on a Mandelman Matters Podcast

This Mandelman Matters Podcast with Professor David Coates is not the same thing you've heard before, as he covers the foreclosure crisis both here in the U.S and in the UK. He also talks about the global financial crisis... (Continue reading)

Freddie Mac’s Crimes Against Homeowners are NOT an Isolated Incident

Freddie Mac’s Crimes Against Homeowners are NOT an Isolated Incident

ProPublica is reporting that Freddie Mac has been placing "multi-billion dollar bets designed to only pay off when homeowners remain "trapped" in high interest rate loans, and that the government-owned mortgage monster began increasing such bets late in 2010, which... (Continue reading)

Look, this just isn’t that hard… The Solutions to Pressing Problems.

Look, this just isn't that hard... The Solutions to Pressing Problems.

If Mickey Mouse is going to sign it, and Donald Duck is going to notarize it... THEN DON'T SIGN IT... because we don't need it signed. BUT... if we DO need it signed, then don't forge it and file... (Continue reading)

DOER ALERT: Dear Bank of America…

DOER ALERT: Dear Bank of America...

The man's wife passed away in 2006. They were married for 53 years. Your bank explained that a request for postponement went in on the 23rd of December 2011 on a loan which Bank of America agreed to... (Continue reading)

Calling All Lawyers to 5,000,000 Crime Scenes

Calling All Lawyers to 5,000,000 Crime Scenes

Consider this... bankers say that they've been overwhelmed by the millions of homeowners unexpectedly seeking loan modifications and that's why applying for a loan modification has been such a nightmare. But, what about the number of foreclosures occurring in... (Continue reading)

My Name is Martin.

My Name is Martin.

I learned about death from Martin King. I learned about peace from Martin King. I learned about hope from Martin King. I learned about struggle from Martin King. I learned about my country from Martin King. I learned to love... (Continue reading)

Are they lying or are they stupid?

Are they lying or are they stupid?

Look... are you feeling me here? Do you see what I'm saying? What's the deal? Are they lying or are they stupid, because there's no way in the world we should be talking about whether the FOMC... (Continue reading)

MY DOERS DID IT AGAIN! But it’s not over yet. (And Holly Says Thank You!)

MY DOERS DID IT AGAIN!  But it's not over yet. (And Holly Says Thank You!)

I don't usually do this, but with Holly's permission, I've posted the three emails I received from her today. I get a lot of very flattering emails from homeowners across the country, and I appreciate them all very much...... (Continue reading)

ALJAZEERA… The year’s top story is not getting coverage…

ALJAZEERA... The year's top story is not getting coverage...

ALJAZEERA: "If you want to find out about this story of the year and years past, in all of its disgusting detail, you can't just trust major media. You have to read Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone, a music magazine,... (Continue reading)

Should State AGs Settle with Bankers? Ohio’s Former AG Marc Dann Weighs In… A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Should State AGs Settle with Bankers? Ohio's Former AG Marc Dann Weighs In... A Mandelman Matters Podcast

I decided that the best person to ask about what's going on with these positively inane negotiations would be a former State Attorney General, so I called Ohio's former AG, Marc Dann. Marc knows these people, he understands the... (Continue reading)

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – 2011

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - 2011

And, since it is the holidays, it's also time for my annual year-in-review-in-rhyme, read to the famous holiday poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I started writing my 'Twas the Night year-in-review in 2007, or at least that's the year... (Continue reading)

Mandelman on The News Dissector Radio Show with Danny Schechter

Mandelman on The News Dissector Radio Show with Danny Schechter

I was a guest on the News Dissector radio show with Danny Schechter out of NYC. And I was joined by one of the Occupy Wall Street organizers and Capt. (Ret.) Ray Lewis. Check it out... given the... (Continue reading)

Neil Barofsky and American Banker Finally Catch Up to Mandelman Matters

Neil Barofsky and American Banker Finally Catch Up to Mandelman Matters

No one helps those who don't help themselves. We need to be WE... and now. Because as long as the country believes that irresponsible borrowers are the problem, nothing will change for borrowers... not enough lawyers will join... (Continue reading)

The Stalinist Era of Consumer Protection

The Stalinist Era of Consumer Protection

Now, when right in front of our eyes, the banking lobby is pushing to make the only federal agency whose role is to protect consumers entirely toothless, once again we're failing to make our voices heard. I know this... (Continue reading)

Author Michael Hudson Knows The Monster – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Author Michael Hudson Knows The Monster - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Here's something you can't do anywhere else... listen to author Michael Hudson not only talk with me about his book, but listen to how he applies his vast knowledge of the subject matter to what's going on today in our... (Continue reading)

THE NEWS: What’s Occupying My Mind is Making Me Dizzy

THE NEWS: What’s Occupying My Mind is Making Me Dizzy

What you are about to read has not been smoothed out or otherwise homogenized, it's just the news as it's coming at me... and you. Go ahead... read it and then tell me everything's just fine. ... (Continue reading)

Bringing UP the Rear – Neil Lipschutz, Managing Editor, Dow Jones Newswire

Bringing UP the Rear – Neil Lipschutz, Managing Editor, Dow Jones Newswire

Obviously, either Neal has the cognitive abilities of a fruit loop soaked in milk, or he's just disturbed. What do you suppose he thinks "spread" to Europe and its banks? I mean, I don't think loans can spread...... (Continue reading)

A Foot Soldier in the Foreclosure Wars – Matt Weidner, A Mandelman Matters Podcast

A Foot Soldier in the Foreclosure Wars - Matt Weidner, A Mandelman Matters Podcast

I wanted to have Matt on a podcast so both homeowners and other lawyers would have an opportunity to hear his views on the crisis today, and specifically what he's seeing in the Florida courts. And sure enough, Matt... (Continue reading)

Unmistakably April Charney – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

Unmistakably April Charney - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

So, whether you're a homeowner fighting to keep your home... or a lawyer who represents homeowners in foreclosure, here's an opportunity to hear what April has to say about where we've been, where we are today, and where she thinks... (Continue reading)

Home sales contracts are falling apart 2X as fast as last year

Home sales contracts are falling apart 2X as fast as last year

Why? Well, according to the Realtors, it's credit scores and appraisals coming in too low. Well shave my head and call me Baldy... what do you know about that? I certainly do declare, how can such a... (Continue reading)

Sitting in at Max Gardner’s UCC Seminar at New York Law School…

Sitting in at Max Gardner's UCC Seminar at New York Law School...

So... if you're wondering why I'm writing this right now, as education is raining down all around me? Well, it's because this is like being at the All-Star Game of the foreclosure crisis. It's just packed with high... (Continue reading)

I, Robosigner… A three act play about affidavit fraud in AG Masto’s Nevada

I, Robosigner… A three act play about affidavit fraud in AG Masto’s Nevada

... Faster than a NINJA loan originating at Wamu... More powerful than an unlimited warehouse line at Lehman Bros... able to see swaps and synthetics even when inside an SPE... Look, up in the sky... It's a bird... It's a... (Continue reading)

Professor Learns the Hard Way About Loan Modifications at Bank of America

Professor Learns the Hard Way About Loan Modifications at Bank of America

MEMO TO BANK OF AMERICA... Why do you do these things to me? I was just sitting here minding my own business, perfectly content to write about Chase or Wells or anything else for that matter... but no, you... (Continue reading)

We’re Going to Need a Bigger Horse… Portland police back down, rather than engage Occupy Portland protesters

We're Going to Need a Bigger Horse... Portland police back down, rather than engage Occupy Portland protesters

We need, as perhaps the late, great Steve Jobs might have said... to think differently, to fight differently. We need to scare them by making them realize that we are their source of power and just as we bestow... (Continue reading)

Our future hinges on just ONE thing…

Our future hinges on just ONE thing...

You know the stereotype... we all do... reckless and greedy people who bought homes they could never hope to afford by signing their names on nothing down, 80/20 "liar loans" with negative amortization and teaser rates of 1%. And... (Continue reading)

Consumer Spending Up? Come on get happy…

Consumer Spending Up?  Come on get happy...

The bottom-line... much of what the government is reporting is nothing more than a mirage, with the rest either easily explained or not indicative of a growing economy, but rather a shrinking one. ... (Continue reading)

The World of the Investor with Attorney Talcott Franklin – A Mandelman Matters Podcast

The World of the Investor with Attorney Talcott Franklin - A Mandelman Matters Podcast

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH INVESTORS? WHO ARE THEY? ARE THEY LOSING MONEY ON FORECLOSURES? What do the investors think about all these foreclosures? What's the relationship like between investors and servicers? Do investors want to modify loans? Do... (Continue reading)

THE CRAVEN, A Halloween Trick-or-Treat, With Apologies to Edgar Allen Poe

THE CRAVEN, A Halloween Trick-or-Treat, With Apologies to Edgar Allen Poe

Quoth the Craven, "Nevermore."... (Continue reading)

What Shall We Tell Our Children, Mr. President?

What Shall We Tell Our Children, Mr. President?

What shall we tell the children, Mr. President? How can we tell them the truth? How can we tell them we've lost faith in America... that our government has abandoned us... that we no longer feel like a... (Continue reading)

Attorneys: Foreclosure Defense at a Whole New Level – Max Gardner In-person or On video

Attorneys: Foreclosure Defense at a Whole New Level - Max Gardner In-person or On video

Max basically gives attorneys his thirty-year law practice in a box with easy to follow assembly instructions and ongoing support. And there's nothing theoretical about what Max teaches attorneys at his workshops and seminars. In fact, I've seen... (Continue reading)

Mainstream media waking up to foreclosures being a big problem – And by big problem, I mean Geithner

Mainstream media waking up to foreclosures being a big problem - And by big problem, I mean Geithner

I'm not sure what to say to that, now that I've read Zach's article and been shown more of what went on behind closed doors at the Obama White House. That mistakes were made is abundantly clear, but even... (Continue reading)

Public sector shedding 35k jobs a month — Republicans block bill to prevent further losses

Public sector shedding 35k jobs a month — Republicans block bill to prevent further losses

State budgets have to be suffering from reduced income and sales taxes, don't they? Higher unemployment obviously means fewer people working and those that are still working... are making less money, so it stands to reason that income tax... (Continue reading)

Optimism Lost, and by Optimism, I mean Ben Bernanke and the NYT

Optimism Lost, and by Optimism, I mean Ben Bernanke and the NYT

I think the nice folks at the New York Times have been spending too much time at Zabars? Because I'm pretty sure it's not a confidence deficiency... I think it's money we're missing... as in income, and the lack... (Continue reading)

Are Homeowners Suffering from LAS – Legal Abuse Syndrome?

Are Homeowners Suffering from LAS – Legal Abuse Syndrome?

Homeowners who have been forced into litigation in an attempt to save their homes, whether choosing to represent themselves, or hire an attorney, are battling against the largest financial institutions in the world in a court system that's anything but... (Continue reading)

What Obama Should Have Done – Ezra Klein, Part 2

What Obama Should Have Done – Ezra Klein, Part 2

I mean, here we had our "smart" president, and the first thing he does upon taking the reins of a nation in real economic peril, is throw together a spending bill whose numbers were pulled directly from the hindquarters of... (Continue reading)

CA’s Democrats in Congress Wake Up to Need to Address Foreclosures

CA's Democrats in Congress Wake Up to Need to Address Foreclosures

Apparently, this past week, the sound of the economy's ship going down must have awoken the majority of House Democrats from California who then just jumped all over the Obama Administration for "failing to deliver on promises to curb foreclosures."... (Continue reading)

Inside the Obama Administration with Ezra Klein … and Mandelman

Inside the Obama Administration with Ezra Klein … and Mandelman

Klein seems to think that it's important to understand how the administration got it so wrong... but I could care less. I think the salient point is that they knew they had gotten it wrong soon enough, and yet... (Continue reading)

The Recession is Over! Long Live the Recession!

The Recession is Over!  Long Live the Recession!

Look people... don't get bummed out about this study, because a few years from now the NBER is probably going to refer to today as having been a peak. ... (Continue reading)

Only One Paycheck Away from Disaster… No kidding, really? Go figure.

Only One Paycheck Away from Disaster... No kidding, really?  Go figure.

Since then, we've been bubbled into financial ruin. We bought high and sold low, until our 401(k)s turned into 201(k)s, and then we doubled down on shares of Pets.com, never bothering to question how the company planned to deliver... (Continue reading)

Attitudes on Wall Street: Dear God, Give Me Strength

Attitudes on Wall Street: Dear God, Give Me Strength

Brancaccio asked about whether these Wall Street types recognized that bonuses are usually paid on profits, but that profits are "radically down," and Bethany replied that they don't. She said that there's a widespread belief that "it wasn't my fault,... (Continue reading)

Former Sub-Prime Lenders Are Back to Profit Off of the Housing Meltdown. Seriously?

Former Sub-Prime Lenders Are Back to Profit Off of the Housing Meltdown.  Seriously?

Basically, the architects of the sub-prime lending that caused the greatest financial crisis in the history of mankind, are now going to profit from the crisis they caused by buying and selling the very sub-prime loans they couldn't sell before,... (Continue reading)

Hard Truths Block Solutions to Foreclosure Crisis – But, I have the answers that will fix it.

Hard Truths Block Solutions to Foreclosure Crisis - But, I have the answers that will fix it.

BUT... the odds are that they won't win their lawsuits, their legal arguments will not prevail and ultimately they will lose their homes to foreclosure. Many arrive in court having not made a mortgage payment in several years, and... (Continue reading)

AM I DREAMING ALL OF THIS? (If you can read this, please let me know.)

AM I DREAMING ALL OF THIS?  (If you can read this, please let me know.)

Is it possible that I'm only dreaming all of this? Like, maybe I don't really blog about the financial and foreclosure crises... maybe it's all just part of a reoccurring, and incomprehensibly maddening dream? ... (Continue reading)

Mandelman’s Monthly Museletter – Version 15.0

Mandelman’s Monthly Museletter – Version 15.0

1. Obama Administration Leaps Into Action on the Foreclosure Crisis. 2. Nation's poverty rate climbs to 15.1%, highest in 18 years. 3. Obama Says Government to Help More People Refinance... Again. 4. Mortgage Defaults Skyrocket 33% Nationwide in... (Continue reading)

Obama Says Post Office Should Cut One Day of Mail Delivery… Now there’s change we can believe in.

Obama Says Post Office Should Cut One Day of Mail Delivery... Now there’s change we can believe in.

Obviously, Obama has been hard at work on this very important subject, and I think we have to give credit where credit is due. And he's got more ideas than just cutting a day of mail delivery, oh yes... (Continue reading)

Bringing Up the REAR: House Speaker Rep. John Boehner

Bringing Up the REAR: House Speaker Rep. John Boehner

Look, I've been an "employer" for some 20 years, and I'd just like to assure everyone that breaking the collective back of our nation's middle class is precisely what is stopping America's employers from spending the massive amounts of cash... (Continue reading)

Irresponsible Borrowers Documentary Trailer 2 – We Need Your Support

Irresponsible Borrowers Documentary Trailer 2 - We Need Your Support

Watch it. Link to it. Post it. Support it. Everyone who contributes will be listed in the credits and we plan to take the film all the way to the Academy Awards. If "Inside Job"... (Continue reading)

We’re Simply Not Going to Win this Battle in Courts Alone…

We plan to release the final film by the end of this calendar year. This is an election year. We can't afford to wait. Please help me change how this country views the tragedy that is the... (Continue reading)

Mandelman’s Reluctant Analysis of Obama’s Speech – The American Jobs Act

I didn't want to do this. I was perfectly content ignoring his idiotic drivel as I've been doing pretty successfully for over a year. Or, maybe it's because he hasn't said anything in over a year, I'm not... (Continue reading)

$6 Billion in Reinsurance Kickbacks to the Banks – Un-reported, Un-Acted Upon & Un-believable

$6 Billion in Reinsurance Kickbacks to the Banks - Un-reported, Un-Acted Upon & Un-believable

Citigroup Inc, Wells Fargo & Co, SunTrust Bank Inc. and Countrywide allegedly required reinsurance partnerships on generous terms that violated the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, a 1974 law prohibiting abusive home sales practices.... (Continue reading)

Geithner is Allowing Banks to Recapitalize on Backs of Homeowners, or… Games Bankers Play

Geithner is Allowing Banks to Recapitalize on Backs of Homeowners, or... Games Bankers Play

I'll say one thing for Secretary Geithner: He's great at distraction. He goes, "Lookie over here." Then he points his finger towards China... and a pigeon flies out of his ass. You really have to watch this... (Continue reading)

The Case Against Philip Kramer, Et Al

The Case Against Philip Kramer, Et Al

You have to understand that while I'm happy to see any and all deceptive sales practices targeting homeowners stopped, I take no pleasure in seeing Philip Kramer prevented from suing Bank of America or any of the other banksters, all... (Continue reading)

If Your Economic Forecasts are Wrong All the Time, Aren’t You Just Guessing?

If Your Economic Forecasts are Wrong All the Time, Aren't You Just Guessing?

Mark Zandi is not only misleading the American public, but he's also misleading the American government, because he appears to have become the favorite economist of the Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department and the Senate and House Budget and Finance... (Continue reading)

From Insult to Injury and Back to Insult… A New Twist on the Demolition Derby

From Insult to Injury and Back to Insult... A New Twist on the Demolition Derby

I remember a year or two back when Warren Buffett quipped that one solution was to "blow up a lot of houses -- a tactic similar to the destruction of autos that occurred with the "˜cash-for-clunkers' program.'" He was... (Continue reading)

How does stuff like this still happen in this country?

How does stuff like this still happen in this country?

For my part... and yours, if you feel like I do about this... I'm going to be sending emails to my elected representatives and to the White House expressing my disgust at a government that would do this. You... (Continue reading)

And the Beat Goes On… Yeah, the Beat Goes On…

And the Beat Goes On… Yeah, the Beat Goes On...

And call me crazy, but I found the news oddly reassuring... you know... like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and an ice cold glass of milk. ... (Continue reading)

16 Banks Ordered to Compensate Victims of Improper Foreclosure

16 Banks Ordered to Compensate Victims of Improper Foreclosure

Guess what... the federal government has ordered 16 of the largest mortgage servicers to reimburse homeowners who they foreclosed on IMPROPERLY. Well, isn't that nice? What a lovely surprise. ... (Continue reading)

GOING UP… The Rising Bar of Homeowner Rage

GOING UP… The Rising Bar of Homeowner Rage

The fact is that the path we're on can only end badly, and although I quite proud of how this nation has managed to hold it together until this point at least, as the man said, it's all downhill from... (Continue reading)

HAMP, HARP, HOP, HOOP… Like Watching Someone Spend $10 Trying to Fly to the Moon

HAMP, HARP, HOP, HOOP... Like Watching Someone Spend $10 Trying to Fly to the Moon

Boy, that sure is a relief, wouldn't you say? Because, see... I had been under the impression that he had actually been trying to do something big and important and was putting his best foot forward, as it were.... (Continue reading)