Over the past few months, we have read day-in and day-out of corporations needing a financial life line. Yet, we have hundreds, thousands of people losing their homes and jobs. Where is their life line?

Arguments have been made that in order to keep people in their homes and maintain their jobs we have to offer a safety net to company’s who are in dire need of cash infusions so they can remain in business and thereby keep our economy going?

The auto industry, at this point in time is at the center of attention. The collapse of their empires would no doubt be devastating, BUT, when was the last time they considered to genuinely work with their consumers, you, and me, the customers.

When they could not achieve their desired goals (profits), they moved to cut costs. Not in their salaries, dividends, bonuses, extravagant show rooms, inventories, etc., it was labor.

Did we lose jobs then? What was their response to the hundreds or thousands of displaced workers? Their board rooms saw it as a necessary adjustment.

Recently, they have urged all dealerships and lobbyists to stress and push for their multi-billion dollar bailouts. In my opinion, before any handout they need to look at creating a genuine relationship with their consumers and begin to conduct business with an ethical conscience and not one of greed.

Sheila Bair, FDIC Chairman testified before the House Financial Services Committee last week, that more needed to be done to prevent another estimated 1.5 million homeowners from going into foreclosure.

Her proposal suggested delinquent borrowers (2 months or more) that their payments would be reduced to 31% of their gross income. Mortgage rates would be adjusted to 3% for five years. After year five, the annual rate would increase by one percentage point per year until they hit the prevailing market rate. Loans could also be stretched out to 40 years if needed. What’s the hold up?

It’s not an issue of collateral or security, that has been drafted and redrafted. It simply goes back to ‘enough is not enough’.

We know for certain, something needs to happen, and with that in mind we need to exercise our due diligence.

We know for certain that financial security is needed – but with accountability, and definite assistance for the people.