Where was this thought a year ago. The bank would not even talk to me. Al I wanted to do was put two payments on the back of the loan and they would not help. Now my home has been forclosed and the are asking $100,000 less than I owed. Crazy.

With all the properties banks now have to be disposed of at firesale prices,this could have salvaged the twin cities real estate market some time ago.I fully support the legislation and hope that the Governor and Legislature get behind it and support it asap.

Guess who is running for higher office?

plan would be helpful to stop most mortgage lending in MN. People who didn't read, understand and calculate the cost of owning a home should go back to renting.

I have had my pay cut over $1000 a month and November was the first month I could not make a payment. My bank Teachers Federal Credit Union refuses to even talk to me.

First Lori Swanson and Mike hatch sue the banks because they are not lending enough money to minorities who vote DFL -- remember the redlining lawsuits? So, she forces banks to lend to people who can't pay. When the people can't pay, she accuses the banks of predatory lending. Next she advocates and gets a "suitability" law, making lenders liable for making loans to people that can't afford to repay them. Now she wants to make it harder for the lenders to collect on the loans she bullied them into making in the first place. No wonder no one want to lend any money these days. This is why we have a credit crunch.

Tim Pawlenty? Is he still running? Can we PLEASE move past the politics and start thinking about fixes to our challenging issues. We need to step up and be the new "best generation". I'm on your side KTG because as Americans we are all on the same side. Honestly, I think we can fix our daunting problems! Better days ahead.....

They took out loans they couldn't afford. They didn't read the fine print. Welcome to the real world. Hand your keys to the bank and find somewhere to rent. Harsh? Sure, but when they signed their name on the dotted line, they agreed to everything on that paper. Adjustable rate mortgage in all. Oh, by the way, do you want to buy some snake oil?

They lend you money that didn't exist until is was lent. Then they charge you interest on it. Now if I lent someone money by simply making book keeping entries in my accounts -- I'd be thrown in jail for fraud. Why are the bankers running free and asking for handouts?

Look at the interest rates on your credit card. The reason why credit card companies charge 18% interest rates is to recapture the money that's lost to people who write off credit card debt in bankruptcy -- the result is we're all stuck with higher credit card interest. Now do this for "the little guy," allow him to break his contract and not follow through with his end of the agreement...and suddenly, guess what? Banks won't lend money to anyone for under 10%, because they know they're going to have to make the rest of us cover for the people that get in over their heads. Don't buy a house if it requires you living paycheck to paycheck. If you're going to buy a house be sure you're able to save some money as well, in case you get laid off or something. Until you have income that can support a house payment and the ability to save for a rainy day, you have no business buying a house. Doing so is irresponsible to you, your children and all the rest of us made the smart choice and didn't get in over our heads, who now have to bail you out. Get an apartment. Get a roommate, don't have kids, save some money, work two jobs. Soon enough you'll be in a better position to succeed.