There But For the Grace Of God…
June 6th, 2008, 11:04 AM EDT
So, since I was home without no voice Thursday night, I tuned in the competition. Seeing Ed and Pamela McMahon, practically in tears, Ed with a brace around his broken neck, discussing how they may lose their home, was heart-rending.
Evander Holyfield is also facing foreclosure. McMahon is sadder though, as he has health problems and is 85 years old. Still, he has a home worth millions of dollars, which is approximately the value of Holyfield’s staircase.
I like Ed McMahon and feel for anyone who has to suffer financially; but what about those who don’t have assets like a Beverly Hills home or mahogany handrails? What do they do when they get thrown out of their homes and have no place to go?
I respect McMahon and his wife for admitting that poor money management contributed to their situation. The fact that they admitted this is the only thing that makes me feel bad for them.
I have no pity for Holyfield. That mofo doesn’t pay his child support. I don’t have ANY pity for a parent who skips out on their emotional and financial responsibilities.
Alan~ in reference to the above, I saw a few weeks ago that your wife studies stuff like this. I added her THE POLITICS OF CHILD SUPPORT IN AMERICA to my “to read” list.
http://www.jocelyncrowley.com/index.php
Anyway, I think the most important question in this article is the one asked in closing.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Some end up in the homeless shelters or low budget motels if they are are not lucky. Those that smart enough are find ways to use their money wiser, use a budget, and live within their means.
Most banks and mortgage companies are not dumb, they will work with you if you need help with your mortgage. Between people buying new cars that they can not afford, having a house mortgage, and credit card debt it is no wonder something had to give.
Yes it is the American dream to own a home and have a nice place to live, yet at the same time we have no earthly idea on how to keep a budget. The same is true with our government as well.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
We laugh at the Roman senate for declaring Caesar Augustus a god, and then we build temples like these so that the priests of infotainment may come and provide us with throngs of devout worshipers.
Life’s full of irony.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
There used to be courses in “home economics” which taught rudimentary budget principles but no more. Many home buyers were hoodwinked by ilicit mortgage brokers and mortgage banks who conspired with biased appraisers to sell products doomed to fail if the market ever flattened or reversed as all markets do from time to time. Then the investment banks and hedge fund managers bundled these very risky motgages into investment portfolios which burried the true risks. The economy goes south and the house of cars falls. Suprise! Suprise! Now the US AG rejects a national federal level investigation of what went wrong allowing the locals to try to delve into the devious and greedy behavior of persons and institutions which should have known better. The parties you note likely were partly responsible (and admit it). Happily though they’ll sustain painful losses, they end up on their feet. It’s the little guy you asked about who will be slammed with little hope of help from the regulators or those responsible for these illicit promotions. Sadly neither this administration or the legislatures can figure a fair way to assist them when they’re down…and that failure drags down thw entire world’s economy. We need to elect/appoint more sympathetic and clever leaders to first PREVENT, and then FIX the mess if they screw up!
June 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I wish Ed McMahon well but right now I could care less about him. Today was the highest spike in the price of oil per barrel in history. As of now it has gone up today by $9.00 to $136.00.
I’m more worried about how I’m going to pay my rent when my landlord passes these costs on to me not to mention the continuing rise of food prices at the market.
They say it will continue to get worse. Unemployment up to 5.5%.
Stock market down 350 right now.
I’m getting very nervous right now.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I went to the supermarket earlier. Food prices for alot of items up again. Just cost me a small fortune.
I DO live within my means and keep to a budget. And I do not buy filet mignon steak or organic raw cashews. I have done so in the past. But not lately.
I don’t see how I can give up milk and bread though.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Everything’s likely to go up, since it all moves on trucks, which is diesel, which is oil, or so they tell me.
Or it could be that John Lennon is manipulating everything from beyond the graaaaaaaavvvveeee.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I think that RC is a Capricorn. He’s almost as witty as I am. Not quite there, but close.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
John Lennon controlling things. How incredibly silly of you to say that.
It’s not John Lennon.
It’s Elvis.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Holy Moly. Stock Market down 394 points today.
They say gas could rise to 5 bucks by July 4th.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
God Bless America, soon to be a third world country!
June 6th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Heyooooooooo….. buddy can you spare a dime ?
when it comes to ed Mc Mahon,he should have had AFLAC
GET THE DUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 7th, 2008 at 10:06 am
It also looks like [colonial penn] left old eddy in the dust too, better stay away from that GIG.
June 7th, 2008 at 10:15 am