Y’know, there’s one thing nice about government. Really. There is. One thing. Government is very consistent. That is, once any government anywhere embarks on a stupid course, you can be sure that nothing short of the heat death of the universe will stay the bureaucrats from their dedicated stupidity. You gotta admit, that’s impressive consistency.<\/p>\n
To wit:<\/p>\n
You recall a teeny little flap the economy had a few years back involving subprime loans? Yes, I think you probably do. In fact, you don’t have to remember very far back — not more than 30 seconds ago — because we’re still having an itty-bitty bit of bother over that matter.<\/p>\n
Well. Seems our local library is hosting a USDA representative who’s peddling mortgage loans to low-income rural dwellers. Yes. The USDA makes home loans. Several different types, as a matter of fact.<\/p>\n
I dropped in to have a listen. The rep was in a private study room handing out literature and discussing the loans with one or two people at a time. He was talking with another woman when I entered, so I picked up his flyers and brochures and read while he continued describing the program<\/a> to her.<\/p>\n I’m reading along … 100 percent financing including closing costs and repairs … loans up to $163,300 … low-income buyers only … subsidized payments … interest as low as 1% … minor credit problems okay… up to 38-year amortization.<\/i> I look at their idea of a low income for a single person. My jaw drops. $24,900. If I made that much money, I’d feel like Donald Trump. Wow. Some program. Rich people should have it so good.<\/p>\n Then I look up in time to hear the rep tell the woman, “You see, banks have stricter standards for down payment, income, and credit than we do. Because they<\/i> expect to be paid back.”<\/p>\n Pause. Rather long pause, really. A quite notable pause, in fact.<\/i><\/p>\n “Um. Of course, we<\/i> expect to be paid back, too. But …”<\/p>\n At that point, his voice drifted off. He never completed the statement. But he said all that. He truly did.<\/p>\n Yes, some things never change. On the other hand, sometimes they do: occasionally even somebody from the government utters an honest statement — even if unintentionally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Y’know, there’s one thing nice about government. Really. There is. One thing. Government is very consistent. That is, once any government anywhere embarks on a stupid course, you can be sure that nothing short of the heat death of the universe will stay the bureaucrats from their dedicated stupidity. You gotta admit, that’s impressive consistency. To wit: You recall a teeny little flap the economy had a few years back involving subprime loans? Yes, I think you probably do. In fact, you don’t have to remember very far back — not more than 30 seconds ago — because we’re still…<\/p>\n