It's only money... right?

This is a true story of a lady I will call Liz. I first began working with Liz several years ago at one of the non-profits in Waukesha. Part of our jobs were to help empower women, whom have seen some tough times. Ironic that our educations and intense, front line positions only enabled us to begin making a whopping $9.00 an hour.

I was fortunate that I could afford to work there. I loved working with these women. Liz, however, couldn't hardly afford to work there. A young, single mom. She was willing to pick up extra hours when necessary (which was always) because she, too loved working in the field.

In here lies my point. Liz understood that she was throwing away her money on renting every month. She wanted a home for her and her little one. With pittince in savings she proceeded to see if she qualified for a home. DUH! Of Coarse she could. No credit? No savings? No problem!

And so Liz and her little one moved into their lovely home on the border of West Allis and Milwaukee. Liz is now a home owner.

Not only is Liz a home owner, but she was able to qualify to buy a NEW car. It was gorgeous! (I have to admit that I was a little jealous after driving my used little import, which is not much to look at but gets good gas mileage.) She purchased a new Toyota 2 door. One of the sporty models.

On the back of Liz's car are bumper stickers to the effect of "Feminists for Democrats", "Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Kerry"... you get the picture.

Liz found extra work this fall with the Democratic Party in Milwaukee. She emailed us, wrote us, texted us, called us, and invited us to rally's, speeches, etc... in favor of Obama and the Democratic vote. On one very somber Wednesday (for me) in November I got her final text regarding that subject. Something about her joyous victory. Now, she believed, some wisdom will be brought to the economic and social service political tables.

Liz also told me that she was facing financial crisis. No longer able to drive her beautiful supped up car she was facing foreclosure. You see it didn't take long before her affordable dream home needed a roof. She was forced to take in a roommate. Her and her daughter shared a room.

Soon after that she was given the opportunity to move into her parents home so she could take in more roommates. You see the house had now dropped its value so sharply that she owed more than she could sell it for.

Her answer. File bankruptcy and blame the Republicans. Hmmm.

You see Liz didn't get that memo regarding the progress blocked by the Democrats regarding The Community Reinvestment Act. You see in 1977, when Liz was just a lil one herself congress enacted this Act to help avoid discrimination to the poorer communities. So lovely in thought, so dangerous to our economy.

Fanny and Freddy are not looking so good. And now neither are Ford, Chrysler, and GM. Our US Lawmakers will decide in December whether or not to give them 25 BILLION dollars. Bankruptcy among the automakers. Obama will consider a pre-pack package.

Now my friend Liz is not doing so well. No longer able to teach empowerment to women due to poorly managed leadership at the non-profit, she works at George Webb. Still living with her parents and hoping a wealthy buyer will come along and offer her what she owes on her house before she files those bankruptcy papers. I feel badly for her. She really is a good hearted person.

I should encourage her. Her Robin Hood has made it to the White House. But I just don't feel like it.