Initially, the lending standards were lowered with aggressive first-time buyer programs to help people get into homes. That evolved into programs that led to the mess we have today. It got totally out of control with mortgages that allowed people to put no money down and walk away from the closing table with a check in their pocket.
These programs were based on the housing market continually appreciating and family income rising. Once this scenario changed, our current crisis developed.
My only surprise is that it took this long to "blow up."
Don Clarke
Falmouth
The fabric of our great land is falling apart with fewer people marrying and more children being raised in single-parent homes, usually without their fathers.
What most people do not realize is that there are more government incentives for divorce and single parenthood than there are for couples to stay married and keep families intact when children are involved.
I agree with Bailey that no one talks about marriage and that as a society we need to. Kids brought up in broken homes are more violent, have higher rates of suicide, higher rates of depression, higher rates of drug and alcohol use, higher rates of earlier sexual encounters, and utilize the healthcare system at much higher rates. Therefore, there should be huge incentives to save families and marriages.
Dr. Peter G. Hill
Weston
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