Our gov't continues to make efforts to help those who can't afford their homes. I realize there are alot of people losing their homes because they lost their jobs, but on the other hand many of them couldn't afford their homes to begin with. It's time for the gov't to do more than just bailing people out. Provide incentives that allow them to get out from under the mortgage they can't afford. Refinancing at a lower interest rate will not solve their problems. The total amount of their mortgage needs to be lower. Most of these folks have probably already cashed in on their 401K if the even had one to begin with. Many people don't want to touch their 401K because they lost so much money over the last few years. Cashing in on your 401K right now is a horrible idea unless it is a last resort. The gov't needs to come up with better ideas for helping those who are stuggling. Our gov't should also consider incentives for those who can afford a new home and/or second home. I think a Trade UP/DOWN Program would help both sides. The banks are sitting on large inventories of forclosed or soon to be foreclosed homes that they could work with. Give people the option of trading down to a more affordable home and on the flip side give those who are doing well the option of trading up to a nicer home. The gov't could provide incentives in the direction of lower interest rates and/or little to no closing cost.

My point is that there are going to have to be multiple solutions or options available for EVERYONE, not just certain groups. Providing tax breaks are not always the best idea. If the gov't loses those tax dollars, then the deficit will continue to grow and we will continue to be in a bad economy.