Community Building

Here is a great article from PlaceShakers on how community organizations and connectivity have declined and how we must rebuild them. Community connections are directly affected by the pattern of our physical growth. Sprawl has contributed to a breakdown of our community strength because it distances us and isolates us in our daily activities. There are a lot of other disciplines which observe that a breakdown in community connectivity has created problems with poverty, education, family, faith, etc. In my opinion, it is foolish not to recognize that the physical manner in which we build our communities has an effect on these aspects of society.

Let Mortgages Fail

Here is a convincing argument to let mortgages fail and foreclosures to continue: http://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2010/03/30/lower_prices_more_foreclosures_will_solve_housing_98397.html

You have to let market forces take effect. There is no possible way for the government to subsidize people to stay in homes long enough to recover the value they've lost in the recession. Lower home prices, lower property values, and a balancing of housing inventory is a good thing. Over-supply and inflated values need to be combated, but artificially propping them up with government spending will not help them permanently stabilize. Many families have been hit hard, and many have declared bankruptcy. But unless the market truly balances itself, these trends will continue.