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Dear Friends,

This Summer I'm discovering my imagination moves full speed ahead once I recognize the speedometer hits 35 miles per hour during rush hour in Los Angeles! While driving, I am capable of simple arithmetic and eating a burrito or a full course dinner with less speed on surface streets! I'm also content to know that I have the ability to sing to my heart's content a number of various verses of 'Nessum Dorma' or to speak a foreign language at 55 miles per hour without interruption! The maneuvers on our freeways in this city continue to resemble an obstacle course or a parking lot, depending on the time of day. Nonetheless, in order to reach one's final destination, a voyage across town can be construed as having similarities to the struggles Columbus might have endured in discovering America! My last stop, was truly towards The Twilight Zone. 

While driving at the posted speed of 35 miles per hour heading to my ultimate destination - POOF - I remembered an old Twilight Zone episode from the early 1960's! Originally broadcast on November 3rd, 1961, the episode entitled 'It's A Good Life', is still considered a classic among many viewers of this television series. While not to be confused with the Frank Capra classic 'It's A Wonderful Life' with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, the interpretation of our lives as art on film has its degrees of reality and pure fiction. The performance and portrayal of the main character, Anthony Fremont by child actor Billy Mumy, offers the viewer a psychological insight to the collective workings of the mind in which the US Government seeks its power and control. While my interpretation of its effects may be considered totally out of context and irrelevant for some, my intuition tells me otherwise.

The story revolves around a boy in a small midwestern town. He had the illustrious ability to read minds of all the towns folk and even his parents! This mischievous 6 year old had the power to cast anyone in a nearby cornfield or even have a person disappear if he was upset or suspected one was harboring disagreeable thoughts! This ritual occurred numerous times as the remaining inhabitants of the dwindling population became facial and mind altering contortionists, in order to live another day! Always smiling and always thinking good thoughts can be a trifle disconcerting for anyone! This youngster was able to turn a neighbor into a Jack In The Box and was able to cease the barking of a beloved pooch by sending Fido to the cornfield by just wishing his troubles away! All the while, the boy's tormented father had no choice but to advise him by saying, 'it's a real good thing you did. A real good thing!' 

Well, I can just visualize the staff of advisors at a big house located on Pennsylvania Avenue currently advising the main occupant, of all 'the good things' power can create for all Americans. So far there have been so many 'good things' that have come our way, one can only imagine the gargantuan amount of 'good deeds' still awaiting to be appreciated by the townsfolk of roughly 300 million inhabitants. 

It's a real good thing the unemployment rate is at 9.5%

It's a real good thing there are more bankruptcies than ever before

It's a real good thing that foreclosures are at an all time high

It's a real good thing the Federal deficit is in the Trillions with no end in sight

It's a real good thing retail banks are closing at an alarming rate

It's a real good thing that income taxes are scheduled to increase in January

It's a real good thing the US Dollar is losing its value precipitously

It's a real good thing to offer bailouts to banks and big corporations on Wall Street

It's a real good thing to have passed and signed an $870 Billion Stimulus Bill  with no discernable results in either employment or the economy at large 

It's a real good thing to have passed and signed legislation for a new bureaucratic Health Care system which offers rationing, higher medical costs and tax payer funded abortion

It's a real good thing to have prolonged the Gulf Of Mexico oil disaster

It's a real good thing the US Government is suing the State Of Arizona and its law abiding citizens

It's a real good thing to have the US Government infiltrate all industries in the private sector in efforts to control our daily lives

It's a real good thing to mislead the American people

I can continue to mention hundreds of 'good things' which has created havoc in our temperament and has derailed our fortunate destinies. There will come a time when many Americans will be banished to the cornfields and disappear altogether. This has begun surreptitiously as many Americans have lost their properties and are no longer living in neighborhoods they once called home. Any intelligent, independent or fair minded American will deem it preferable for petulant children and adolescents to play with toys than with our lives. Our eccentric lawmakers are governing this country into ruin. 

The Twilight Zone episode was first broadcast 49 years ago, almost to the day of the scheduled Mid-Term elections slated for Tuesday, November 2nd. While Anthony had the power and 'wished' everyone he did not like to the cornfields, we as Americans can do the same. It's time to banish any member of Congress of either party to the cornfields! Their disappearance will save this country from a livelihood similar to the pain and suffering of the townspeople in fictional Peaksville, Ohio.  

With all levity aside, members of Congress or those in government are not considered monsters but misguided by several factors in their approach and inability to do the right thing. We as Americans have the power to end this madness once and for all!  It's time to use the power given by the framers of the Constitution, to will this country towards a direction that honors those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. No stretch of the imagination is immune from the consequences Americans will suffer if victory is not forthcoming. A 49 year old television episode can be considered in some respects, the latest example of fiction becoming reality.

Click YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfGWvexg90w

Thanks Again  

Dear Friends,

There is a time in all of our lives, where weariness begins to endanger our natural optimism we have for ourselves, to overcome obstacles not of our own making. We are made aware of the pain and suffering inflicted by powerful entities, in a desire to control every aspect of our lives. Every day we are confronted and reminded of the wicked cast of characters eager to transform a nation into despondency. The deliberate deception of the American people has numerous consequences.

The direction of a once magnanimous and compassionate nation has begun to unravel, where divisiveness is considered the main temperament in either personal or platonic relationships. This hostile discourse has surrounded and has enveloped our personal space where psychological damage is gradually destroying concepts of independence and individualism many of us have embraced all of our lives. While this sad refrain continues to engulf the soul of its people, we have a generation of Americans embittered with a past which ceases to end in forgiveness. Many of us are subjected to a dialogue where our peace of mind will never be fulfilled. The growth of cruel and wanton personalities, made apparent from dysfunctional, sociopathic and narcissistic backgrounds, have come together in calculated efforts to attack the liberties and values which has sustained a great nation in crisis and throughout its history. The disdain of democratic principals by a powerful triumvirate of government, business and media concerns has reached a higher consciousness of incredulity. Americans are grasping to save their heritage from a cult of miscreants intent on transforming a nation towards discredited ideologies of failed despotic regimes.

As a Cuban-American, or better said, an American born in Cuba, I and many others left our homeland for the United States in the early 1960's. We were just children and I certainly was too young to understand why I had to leave my beloved parents. My older brothers might have had an inclination about the angry bearded man in green fatigues smoking cigars and talking for hours without saying anything. Fidel Castro was his name.

This man's influence continues to torment its inhabitants under a repugnant concept of government on display, censored for the entire world to see. Throughout the many years communism has ushered its poison, I continue to have utter contempt for malcontents either in government, business, media or entertainment seeking to probe the benevolence of a despot and hailing the virtues of a society where the suffering of its population is never mentioned. When we have filmakers describing the 'rewards and benefits' of a health care system similar in scope as that of America's - where delegations of politicians visiting the island are 'overwhelmed' by the civility and the projection of warmth with its leaders - the 'awe inspiring' interviews of a madman by 'presumed' journalists where wisdom is extolled as a virtue bestowed only on those with the power to abuse its citizens - all of these situations are exercises in the destructive elements of censorship hiding as delusion. 

This country is going through a shake up of its own. Goal oriented attempts to impose European concepts where the state controls our entire existence has finally arrived - but not for long! The majority party and its henchmen with the acquiesence of big business and the media have subtly conspired to experiment with the minds of its citizens and the future direction of this nation. I and many true Americans are now compelled to raise our voices to end the scourge of a planned strategy by those powerful elements in our society, seeking the demise of our sovereignty.

My father would always tell me that America is the greatest country on earth. As a young man in Spain, he endured the tyranny of Franco and later in life the abuse of Castro in Cuba. When our entire family was reunited several years later, we were fortunate the torment of that time in our lives was finally behind us. This ordeal has changed us in many ways. Children during this episode suffered the most. I know this to be true. Certainly the sacrifice of those in love with liberty and freedom must never be in vain. 

Not surprisingly, there are Americans willing to have government meet all their needs. It might be a wonderful excursion to not worry about the future as government is poised to direct our lives chapter by chapter, verse by verse.

I remember the pristine beaches of Havana where I played in the sand and reveled at my footprints when the water reached the shore. Now more than 48 years later we are witnessing oil landing on the beaches across the Gulf of Mexico on our Southern states. I truly wonder if this is a metaphor for things to come.

Mortgage Rates  

Interest Rates are at the LOWEST levels we've ever seen! We invite you to check our current mortgage rates and take advantage of our FEE SALE until July 31st. Truly, this is the best time to place your loan application with MoneyTeam! As always, we will do our best to meet or beat any advertised conforming fixed rate loan! We hope to hear from you soon! 

Thanks Again

Dear Friends,

The other day I was flicking channels on my remote control and I came across a PBS special featuring a performance by James Taylor and Carole King at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Both artists have been friends for many years and you can sense the warmth and love both have for each other. Carole was a song writer before she began her solo singing career. In the beginning, James encouraged Carol to perform on stage. In turn, James was able to inspire a generation by verbalizing the words of 'Fire and Rain' from Carol's passionate lyrics. Throughout the years when we hear either James or Carol sing, we can 'close our eyes' and know we have a friend eager to help us, when the need for our comfort is greatest.

It goes without saying that many of us long to be embraced and appreciated for the value we offer our family and friends. Sometimes our works and our sincere intentions are not recognized by circumstances or design. While we strive to always do the right thing, there are situations where our involvement is misconstrued as hostile towards the beneficiary of our altruism. During this time in our nation's history where all good deeds are suspect and where trust among a vocal minority of mischievous members of our population is no longer a virtue to be valued, America has slowly become a vessel without an anchor. The men and women chosen to represent our interests to uphold the laws of this great nation from tyranny, have decided it would be best to forego their entrusted responsibilities and seek redemption in corruption.

Americans are aware of the animated vitriol of the power elite and the scourge of incompetence at all levels of government, big business and the media. Napoleon uncharacteristically was able to offer a few words of wisdom by mentioning that one should 'never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence'. While this may be true in regards to the oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico, there are others who lament the inevitability of additional events waiting to be 'dredged up' for all Americans to discover. Anyone with at least a 3rd grade education knows full well it does not take up to 77 days to plug an oil leak! Who are we to believe? Is this tragic event where 11 crew members lost their lives becoming a pawn in a chess game of political correctness or additional fuel for government control of the oil business? While these situations continue to add anxiety to a bewildered nation, one wonders when relief and common sense shall finally come to pass.

On this 4th of July many Americans are enjoying their vacations at parades, at the beach or barbecues and viewing of fireworks this evening with family and friends. The main reasons for celebrating America's Independence is becoming a blur for many. There is a gradual attempt by those in government to gradually alter the nation's culture in order to obfuscate the fundamental bedrock principles of a democratic republic. The generational failure of the educational system in teaching history to our youngsters is evidently apparent. The Marist poll of adults released a few days ago mentions 26% of those questioned are clueless in regards to which country America gained its Independence. 20% do not know if this occurred and 6% believe its a country besides Great Britain.

Most enlightened Americans recognize there is a drift. A drift where powerful forces are hellbent in taking advantage of the hard work and the sacrifice of its law abiding citizens. The onslaught of increasing taxes and the economical consequences of uncontrolled government intervention has raised the specter of chronic unemployment, foreclosures, bankruptcies and continued suffering. With the additional participation of the media, banks, corporations and the frenzied vocal protestations of incoherence by socialist sympathizers, we are headed on a course towards the permanent loss of our sovereignty.

Many of us that lived under socialist and communist regimes know America to be the greatest country known to man. Many of us who suffered persecution at the hands of despotic regimes are instinctively blessed to have the power of discernment. Our collective suffering has become an educational and bonding prerequisite for the anxiety we believe is inevitable, unless America comes to its senses and appreciates the freedoms so many generations have lost their lives in defending. Suffice it to say, we know and understand the direction this country is headed.

Today is an important day for many Americans. Just as Memorial or Veterans Day replenishes our faith in which the sacrifices of our armed forces upholds the virtues of liberty and freedom, we must come to grips with the disgraced daily diatribe of a theology foreign in concept and nurtured by those seeking to flaunt its power and influence on others.

In our quest to accept the destinies we have encountered, many of us are very lucky to have a true friend.  At times, we are in need of a friend for guidance and comfort. Words of encouragement, reassurance and just the sound of a friendly voice is all one needs to be worthy of one's care. Unfortunately, there might be an acquaintance or a 'friend' that might steer you towards a wrong path, not knowing their sincere or self-indulgent beliefs will eventually cause more harm than good.

While James and Carol are considered good friends as they've had a splendid relationship for many years, we cannot say the same of those harboring thoughts or attitudes which differ wholeheartedly from basic tenets espoused by our Founding Fathers. 

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is revered as the living testament in which government of the people will exercise its commission. I and many others still believe in this nation. To those you meet along the way during the next 121 days to come, you are invited to take solace in the values of our forefathers that another day of independence from the madness we are living today is coming soon. With all deliberate speed, you are truly welcomed with open arms as 'You've Got A Friend' indeed!

May God In His Infinite Wisdom, Continue To Bless The United States Of America!

Thanks Again   

Dear Friends,

You may have noticed mortgage rates have dropped again! I will be visiting real estate offices throughout the Los Angeles area from Thursday until Monday the 14th, distributing our promotional flyers and ushering the good news! From our voluminous records, we will also be calling previous clients to join in the good fortune of the refinance boom!

The most opportune time to refinance your mortgage is when the interest rate is at least one full percentage lower than the rate you currently have. We also have loan programs which allow you to lower your rate with no closing costs or fees.

Let's say you have a loan for $300,000 at 6.00%. Your monthly mortgage payment is calculated to be $1798.65 per month. With our no closing cost loan at 4.875%, your monthly payment would decrease to $1587.62 per month - a typical savings of $211.03 per month or a yearly savings of $2532.36. This will help you in the long run as you plan your budget for the future. As of today, the downturn in the California economy continues to create anxiety for many homeowners in our region of the country. With over a 12% unemployment rate and the likelihood of higher taxes on the horizon, any savings you can lock in now is a good remedy to pursue. 

Please check our website for more details on our mortgage rates. Remember interest rates are subject to change daily. MoneyTeam also offers 30 to 45 day rate locks. Please call our office with any questions or concerns at 323-936-3232.

If you are a Realtor we hope to meet with you to discuss our pro-active loan programs for your home buyers. For our previous clients, we are thrilled to meet with you again and catch up with all the wonderful events you and your family have experienced since our last meeting. 

Thanks Again 

Dear Friends,

I was aiming to devote my time and energy in discussing how The Crusades continue to be relevant in the 21st Century. While this theme is indeed important in a world where religion is central to the lives of billions, I've digressed and came to the realization there is a groundswell of activity in the topic that I am about to explore.

In the course of one's day you might have wondered, "Is That All There Is?"  Many years have passed since Peggy Lee performed this haunting tune. I was too involved in adolescence to appreciate or even reflect if my life was truly making a difference. When one reaches an evolution or an epiphany in one's reasoning, it is common to have doubts or regrets when life quickly passes by and the time to accomplish the dreams of the past are no longer within one's grasp. Attempts in finding solace and harmony, introspection can be considered a form of therapy in which we gather our thoughts and seek to better understand the path we've taken. Certainly after much honest deliberation, one can truly break away from or come to terms that one's journey is unique and no other soul has traveled under the same exact circumstances. The frenzied ritual of discontent in our daily lives, does not offer the time allowed to become the better person we've formulated in our fragile minds. The 9 to 5 job, the chronic litany of unending responsibilities, the desire to be understood, the painful suffering or sacrifices of the present are just a few of the prerequisites that has created a current turmoil of a society, battling an illness of mediocrity. What does this all mean and what is happening to us?

I believe Americans are beginning to understand the daily disturbance of abnormal, quixotic philosophies of thought, generating acceptance by some and revulsion by others. Many of us are amazed at the inability of the government, the media or the marketplace to grasp the harm that has occurred in its desire or scheme to denigrate and perpetuate a discourse in which long held values and modes of thought are no longer deemed acceptable. 

In my desire to comprehend the tumult of a society struggling to find a common and direct voice, I'm jolted to a time and place where intelligence, humility, decisiveness, trust and courage were standard virtues in a nation. By reading several chapters in American history, one can be reminded of the magnanimous approach and unending desire by our fellow countrymen to overcome the suffering of its people. Older Americans have known to this to be true. Unfortunately, America is now in a mental capsule where the 3 I's have become the hallmark of a dying nation. Incoherence, Indecision and Incompetence are the newest standards of a philosophy where the inspiration of the Founding Fathers for liberty and freedom is viewed as a hindrance in the functioning of a democratic republic.

The Consequences In All Spheres

Many small business owners are having difficulty making payroll or even keeping their doors open due to the never ending assault of government intervention in the private sector. The recipe contrived by the majority party to control the workings of a free market system are exacerbating the chances of a full and speedy financial recovery.

The seeds of incoherence dominate the new health care reform law, where we now understand the deleterious effects that have infected the medical industry with higher costs and premiums. Most Americans will pay higher taxes, fines and lose their ability to choose the medical practioner they've entrusted with their care. 

The bail out frenzy devised to stimulate the economy has not worked, only creating a rise in trillion dollar debts posing a systemic path towards a loss of our sovereignty and the possibility of a financial collapse similar to the 'contagion' in Europe. The recent fluctuations in the price of the Euro can be explained by simply reviewing the facts. The inability to resuscitate a region where the work ethic is a distraction for many and where the birth rate no longer can sustain the lifestyle of its older citizens, these circumstances do not bode well for financial stability or growth. In America, the failure to comprehend the consequences of government actions by infiltrating and controlling the marketplace to extrapolate as much tax revenue it can possibly muster, this mindset will continue to destroy the health of free enterprise.

As a mortgage broker, there has been a haphazard attempt to alleviate the Draconian underwriting guidelines for many first time home buyers or seasoned investors. We have noticed there are lenders willing to work with a loan originator in securing an approval on a purchase or refinance loan request. Common sense underwriting is still available. However, there are financial institutions that have developed an obstacle course where the borrower is no longer viewed with respect but as a criminal with everything to hide. There is a lack of trust by the lender as their inquisition have continued the disdain Americans have for the banking industry. The irony has been established where the bailouts of the major banks has stymied the attempts by ordinary citizens to acquire credit. The directive to hoard the bail out monies and to lend sparingly, is a construct only an incompetent bank manager similar in appeal to the fictitious Milburn Drysdale can recognize as an asset.

Many of us also recognize there is an undercurrent of indecision which has worked its way into the offices of the very people hired to protect this country. Government officials have come under scrutiny for their delayed reactions to the oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico. While this was an unforseen circumstance as the explosion cost the lives of 11 British Petroleum employees, the slow response by the current administration has been excoriated by most everyone. While the consequences are far reaching and will most likely harm the coastline, the wildlife and the fishing and tourist industry for years to come, one needs to evaluate the role government can play in a disaster of this magnitude. 

Certainly there is a time and place where government can demonstrate its responsibilities. The oil spill is a classic example where government could generate trust by showing its competence, if it only had someone enriched with decisive capabilities to take charge from the very beginning. The failure to respond in a crisis expeditiously can only further erode the confidence many Americans have in their elected officials.

While we have a desire to overcome the tragic public events and the personal suffering in which this Great Recession has made its presence known, one must acknowledge there has been a change in how we relate to each other. The pain associated with the loss of a job, a home, continuous financial difficulties or a loved one's demise can be seen as the seeds of depression and despair. This great country has endured. The next chapter of American history will be written by those that have lived as though a transformation never occurred.

Peggy Lee

We encourage your participation in viewing Miss Lee's 1969 performance of "Is That All There Is?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9kKf7SHco&feature=related

Memorial Day

As you know Memorial Day is this coming Monday, May 31st. Please take time during this Holiday to remember all of the brave men and women that have sacrificed their lives for us, to live in the greatest country known to man. Our prayers are with the family and friends of the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. May the Good Lord bring them home soon.

Mortgage Rates

Please check our mortgage rates as MoneyTeam is offering the lowest rates in town! Call us at 323-936-3232 if you have any questions or concerns. This is certainly the best time to REFINANCE as we have not seen these rates this low in months!

Thanks Again