I need a saw

Well, I have to say that [luckily] the economic downturn/crisis/disaster hasn't really had much of a tangible effect on us, until now. And how it has is not in any catastrophic way — honestly, it isn't even that bad, really.

But what has happened, or technically has not, makes me incredibly angry. Angry at banks and predatory lending, angry at the belligerent securities and stock markets, and angry at the millions of people who weren't taking care of their keep and contributed to this unbelievable bust.

Let me say, we are fortunate. Of course, our retirement savings have taken a dive — a huge dive — but we were still able to buy a [heap of a] house and got a great interest rate to boot. Hell, we have good jobs, health insurance, and a wonderful dog. And my wife still loves me from what I can tell.

The following sounds terrible in light of the true hardship many families are facing, but here goes...

We can not get a loan from our banks. A small loan that would allow us get work done on the "investment heap" we bought last December. A heap, that has great potential. A heap, that in spite of all this craziness, has $80K in equity.

Work, that is necessary and value-boosting. Work that we got a remarkable price on from our contractor. Work that is not do-it-yourself-sweat-equity-I-am-capable-of-swinging-a-hammer-and-measuring-shit-before-I-cut work.

I shouldn't even call it work, I should call it home improvement. Hell, let's go with "Community Development". As it would boost the value of the houses around us as well.

Banks that just two months ago, happily approved us for a loan at $150K more than we ended up spending. These troglodyte institutions now say, "No dice, we are not lending." And mind you... we are asking for nowhere near this much — we are just asking to use a portion of our own equity. Our own money. We want to use our own money. We have golden credit, good income, and have a financial history many can only dream of. And, let me reiterate, we are not allowed to use our own money.

Blah, blah, blah. Bitch, bitch, bitch. It is out of our control, and the situation we are facing is not a result of our own lack of discipline. I understand the basic premise of this whole damn disaster, so I get why banks are not lending. It doesn't make me any happier about it, it makes me more indignant.

We were going to do our part in a small bit of economic stimulus. So, a sincere fuck you to every person and institution who didn't take care of their keep.

Now I need to go buy a saw.