Letter: Don’t be so quick to judge foreclosure victims

Timothy James

Monday, Nov. 5, 2007 | 7:18 a.m.

I would like to add one more perspective to the controversy about home foreclosures in this valley. I am wondering when some of the critics purchased their homes. Many people bought houses here years ago when they were more affordable.

I have to wonder if these are not the same people who now also like to say such things as "we saved and spent within our means." In other words, if times are economically good, then you are entitled to a house; but if times are economically difficult, then others should sit on the sidelines and envy you because you had good luck in the timing of your purchase.

There are people in my neighborhood who purchased their homes years ago for one-third of the price they are going for now. Today, you can barely find a place to rent in this city because everything is condos and houses. What choices do a lot of people have except to try to buy something? And what choices did many people have in making these purchases except to turn to the lenders who pretty much could hold them over a barrel?

According to my Realtor, no one even knows yet just exactly what the terms will be for any new refinancing options that the government will provide. Even the president has said that such refinancing will not be a "bailout." So why are people so quick to judge, condemn and assume that their taxpayer dollars are simply getting other people out of a jam?

All some people are asking (and I am not one of them) is that they, too, be allowed some ability to make purchasing a home affordable. To those of you who are so quick to criticize, maybe you should first consider the other factors that surrounded your "thrifty" home purchase and that contributed to your superiority attitude.

Timothy James, Las Vegas