Riddle: Why is the world’s first richest man (Warren Buffet) committing more than $30 billion of his personal fortune to the philanthropic foundation of the world’s second richest man (Bill Gates)?
Hint: It’s not because Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are good friends (which they are) and often play bridge together (which they reportedly do).
It started out as a snowball at the top of the mountain with the subprime mortgage debacle. But as it continues to make its way down a steep slope, millions of Americans are getting swept up into what amounts to nothing less than an avalanche of personal destruction. Many, through no fault of their own, are losing their jobs, and as a result, are losing their homes, healthcare, life savings, sense of self respect and more.
The public accountability and transparency of CRA has motivated banks to make trillions of dollars of loans, investments, and services to low- and moderate-income communities. Often, I compare bank report cards to student report cards – I certainly would have worked harder in school if my report card was available on the internet for public review.
Having lived and worked in Washington, DC, for 30 plus years, I’ve run across a lot of “leaders.” For the most part these are intelligent, savvy, talented men and women with wonderful intentions.
Many, however, manifest a major tragic flaw—they think it’s all about them!
Please join me in urging NPR, and all other media outlets to examine President Obama’s record on housing and the foreclosure crisis! President Obama asked us to take an active role in our democracy, pushing him to take needed action. We need to take him up on that challenge - through the media, as well as through all other available methods.
