Commentaries

October 22, 2008

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Economic stimulus suggestion

Here's an idea...have the government provide interest free mortgage loans to anyone that makes less than $150k per year. The loan would have to be applied to an already established mortgage.

The reduction in mortgage interest alone would provide families with additional discretionary spending immediately. Banks would have additional funds to loan because the original mortgages would be paid, the credit market would quickly be more liquid.

The interest-free mortgage loans would be secured by the property -- must be homesteaded property -- and loans would only be available at the current market rate.

This program would allow families to reduce their monthly mortgage payment, probably reduce their timeline for payment from 30 years to 15 without increasing the monthly payment and would give them additional funds to pay down consumer credit as well as purchase more goods and services, thus improving the economy very quickly.

Greg Anderson
Woodbury, Minn.


Media obsessed with race this election

It seems to me that the media in general is focusing more and more on race in this presidential election. What's going on here?

I think it has been established that Sen. Obama is black and Sen. McCain is white. Why don't we focus on the issues. If you want to report on trivial subjects like race then why does no one talk about McCain's age? This looks like a double standard to me.

Adekola Okulaja
Saint Louis Park, Minn.


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