Fixing The Economy

The economy is a scary topic. Everyday the housing market and credit crunch seem to worsen and banks and investment firms continue to fold.

I'm just glad I'm not a lawmaker right now. Trying to figure out the right course of action seems very daunting. The President has proposed a 700 billion dollar emergency relief bill. Congress is in the midst of trying to hatch out the final details to that bill. There's a lot to consider and a lot on the line. We all know something needs to be done but no-one seems to agree on what that is.

Republican lawmakers say the bill creates too much of a burden on taxpayers who in the end are footing the bailout. Democratic lawmakers say there needs to be more legislation preventing this disaster from happening again. It's hard not to agree with both sides.

If the government doesn't step in and help bailout these banks, our country will probably go into financial disaster. Although I understand that, there's still a part of me that wants to see the banks and mortgage lenders punished.

In my opinion criminal charges should be brought against the people who encouraged borrowers to lie on their loan applications. Charges should be filed against the top execs who told lenders to worry about getting a lot of loans instead of worrying about how solid the loans were. Currently the FBI is investigating some of the top banks and corporations for fraud and I'll be very interested to see what investigators find.

The saddest part is watching people who are being financially punished for things other people caused. People who have good credit and bought their homes the right way, now can't sell those homes. The people who have good but not perfect credit now can't buy homes. People who have their retirement plans invested in the stock market are now unsure if their money will even be there in a few years.

I'm not saying hope is lost because history tells us things will turn around. They always do. But now's a good time to really pay attention to what is going on in the economy and with our leaders.

Election time is a little more than a month away. All I can hope for is that people really research the issues and research the candidates. Right now the most important thing is being informed when heading to the polls.

Panic at the Pump?

Gas shortage.

It's been the big story, and sadly, we shouldn't talk about it.

At least thats what some people are saying. Right now, "The Media" is in a tight spot with the shortages... "Darned if you do, Darned if you don't."

As part of "The Media" I just don't know how I feel about the situation.

I understand people don't want us to "cause a panic" by saying stuff like "Oh no, there is NO GAS ANYWHERE and NONE IS COMING!" As a station, I think WBTV and the Morning Show specifically have been doing a good job at reporting what is happening in Charlotte and the general area.

But no matter what... we still have people blaming "The Media" because they can't find gas.

The last couple days the Morning Show has tried to give you, the viewer, a heads up by telling you where you CAN find gas... so you don't have to waste gas by searching around.

Not everyone likes this...

"It's my impression, overall, that the heavy media reporting - by the minute - on where Gas is, is probably contributing somewhat to the super-bad line-ups you keep showing. Leave people to find it on their own!"

That is a portion of an e-mail we received early this morning. The viewer felt we shouldn't tell people where to go... let them find the gas themselves.

Now... I'm not trying to stir up problems - I really do want to know what you think. Which is more irresponsible for the media - not telling people about the gas problem and let them find stations on their own.... or telling them about the problem, and telling them where gas is (possibly causing even more people to show up than word of mouth)?

Please comment your opinions, or e-mail us at inbox@wbtv.com.