U.S. Dollar in Decline

The article starts off talking about how in 2004, when the gdp was up, economists were were encouraged by the path our economy was on. Then they became increasingly nervous because they noticed the falling of the U.S. dollar, in 2005 the dollar went to historic lows. Economists blame this on what they call the "twin deficits", which is the U.S. budget deficit and the U.S. trade gap. Some believe there is no danger around the corner for us, but other say its gonna cause serious economic stability.
Well, this article is a real ee opener. And since i'm not an economist I don't really have a game plan for our problems. But I do believe we need to pick up the strength of U.S. dollar through programs that our aiding to our budget and trade gap deficits. And I think the economists that think there is no danger lurking, they need to wake up and figure it out. Cause theres obviously a problem somewhere in our economy. I dont want to grow up and be enslaved to China cause of our debt, and I still want t obe able to trade with Europe which isn't going to happen unless the value of our dollar rises.

FACTBOX-EU steps up pace on financial regulation

The EU's executive has been making more proposals for financial regulation reform to make markets safer for investors. And it goes into how the US is taking simular steps as part of our global effort of developing 3rd world countries.

I think that Europe is very smart with their proposals for financial regulation. There a step ahead of us right now but at least were catching up. With our unsatble economy as it as. We need a safer market for our investors.

Almost Half of French Approve of Locking Up Bosses

Summary
The article talks about the "bossnappings" that are taking place in parts of France. People are kiddnapping their bosses over the layoffs during this bad economic time. Not only this but when the labor force is being questioned about if those acts are acceptable on average 41% said they were.

My Opinion
If asked if I approved of the "bossnappings", I would say no. Kidnapping anyone is a crime and they should be arrested at least fired. The only way to get back at your boss is to become your boss.

Recession on Track to be Longest in Postwar Period

"If it lasts into April -- as it almost surely will -- this one will go on record as the longest in the postwar era. The 1981-82 and 1973-75 recessions each lasted 16 months."
summary
The articles talk about all the past depressions and how badly they sliced iton our economy. But it mainly talks about this current reccession were having climbing into the double digits in almost all catagories. And if it goes on through April it will be the longest recceission since the post war era.

my opinion
I dont really have an opinion cause thats right, just the facts. So thats pretty scary, lets hope obama picks it up.

President Obama announced a sweeping plan to help stabilize housing prices

President Obama announced a sweeping plan to help stabilize housing prices and prevent further foreclosures, in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday.
The Homeowner Affordability Stability Plan includes several new initiatives designed to relieve struggling homeowners and stabilize housing prices nationwide.
The first component of the plan encourages refinancing by allowing four to five million “responsible” homeowners whose loans were owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae (FNM: 0.5538, -0.0452, -7.55%) or Freddie Mac (FRE: 0.5605, -0.0295, -5%) to refinance their mortgages, reducing monthly payments.
President Obama addressed the need for broad refinancing efforts to prevent borrowers that are underwater in their loans from heading into foreclosure, stating, “…[W]e are not just helping homeowners at risk of falling over the edge, we are preventing their neighbors from being pulled over that edge too -- as defaults and foreclosures contribute to sinking home values, failing local businesses, and lost jobs.”
Another component involves the allocation of $75 billion to provide encouragement for homeowners on the verge of default to modify their loans. Lenders will be encouraged to lower interest rates for up to five years in an effort to bring down monthly payments; the Treasury Department will match the difference between the original rate and the adjusted interest rate. Lenders also have the option of reducing the principal balance on the mortgage loan, with Treasury sharing in the cost to the lender.
The Administration will also take steps to reform bankruptcy laws to support mortgage modifications.
“My administration will continue to support reforming our bankruptcy rules so that we allow judges to reduce home mortgages on primary residences to their fair market value -- as long as borrowers pay their debts under a court-ordered plan,” the President said in his speech.
Treasury will give incentives of $1,000 to loan servicers for each mortgage eligible for modification and will pay up to $1,000 annually for each year the borrower stays current on the loan. Incentive payments of $1,500 would be paid to borrowers holding at-risk loans if they are able to restructure their loans prior to falling behind on loan payments and an additional $500 would be paid to servicers assisting those borrowers.
The Administration will also partner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to create an insurance fund of up to $10 billion to discourage lenders from foreclosing on mortgages that could have been modified. Mortgage holders could be paid an additional insurance payment for each modified loan they hold, if the home price index declines.
Finally, the plan will increase Treasury’s funding commitment to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Federal Reserve will continue to purchase long-term mortgage securities to maintain stability in the mortgage market.
This announcement comes on the heels of President Obama’s signing into law the largest federal stimulus plan in decades. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $787 billion stimulus bill, will use government funds to stimulate the economy and save jobs.



I think Obama has a good mindset on the plans for mortgages and to prevent future foreclosures. But giving money to the banks is just coming out of our pocket anyway so it doesn't matter what way you do it, the economy is in a reccession. If he sets cieling prices on mortgages and monthly payments its takes money away from the banks so they can't loan any out to future home buyers.