Middle Class Long Islanders turn to food pantries -- Charity, L...

These days, food pantries aren't just for the jobless or homeless. Tapping such free resources has turned into a survival tactic for some working members of the middle class as they struggle with an economy ...

[Maryanne]

What a disgrace, at this rate there won't be food at the pantries for the truly needy. Live at your means or better yet, below your means and leave the donated food for those that really need it to survive.

[Matt]

Why does this guy have a $4300 monthly mortgage and only make $70,000!!!

Of course that wont work....the mortage payements alone are like 80% of his monthly income. Even when it was $3300, thats like 60% of his monthly income.

Don't people do their homework!!! Mortgage payments should be like 1/3 of your income. Unless someone lost their job in his family (hopefully was another 70k)....I have no sympathy for him. You're an adult...

[ElmontResident]

I bet he makes 70k a year BEFORE TAXES. After taxes, it would be less what he takes home.

[gotta love it]

We should get this straight people and stop arguing with ourselves. It is our terrible govenment who has put "We the People" in this situation. Bush wonders why the no one is pumping money into the economy? It's because the government takes %25 of our incomes for social security which won't be there for me when I need it. For a war we were duped into, and for the illegal aliens to further overpopulate our once beautiful land. Democrat, Republican, it doesn't matter, they are the real rats in the race. F#ck the pledge to 'our' flag and the republic which is a farse. For libery and justice for all? It truly makes me sick to my Ramen noodle fed stomach.

[Dan]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/...

"The President believes that homeownership is the cornerstone of America's vibrant communities and benefits individual families by building stability and long-term financial security. In June 2002, President Bush issued America's Homeownership Challenge to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to encourage them to join the effort to close the gap that exists between the homeownership rates of minorities and non-minorities. The President also announced the goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families before the end of the decade. Under his leadership, the overall U.S. homeownership rate in the second quarter of 2004 was at an all time high of 69.2 percent. Minority homeownership set a new record of 51 percent in the second quarter, up 0.2 percentage point from the first quarter and up 2.1 percentage points from a year ago."

Looks like the mortgage industry answered the challenge by giving loans to anyone that had a pulse.

[JJJ]

gotta love it wrote:

We should get this straight people and stop arguing with ourselves. It is our terrible govenment who has put "We the People" in this situation. Bush wonders why the no one is pumping money into the economy? It's because the government takes %25 of our incomes for social security which won't be there for me when I need it. For a war we were duped into, and for the illegal aliens to further overpopulate our once beautiful land. Democrat, Republican, it doesn't matter, they are the real rats in the race. F#ck the pledge to 'our' flag and the republic which is a farse. For libery and justice for all? It truly makes me sick to my Ramen noodle fed stomach.

you are 100% right,look what happened when bush was elected,911,economy took a dive,fuel skyrocketed,layoffs,more illegals here,americans not being able to feed there families,and this government only cares about what goes on in other countries to line there pockets,as they say,corprate greed.

[pgl]

Working class Americas wages are stagnant because of illegal immigration. If we go into a recession it should be quite interesting to see what happens as more Americans are laid off and more illegals are hired!!!

[Jimmy]

This is because our Prez and congress/senate have put every American on the last of their priorities. Every special interest came before the U.S. citizen. Now it is TOO LATE. They should ALL BE FIRED NOW !!!

[KirkHere]

Long Island may be doomed and perhaps that is what the powers to be want.

The entire family got together yesterday (Saturday) for a 2nd cousins 4th birthday. Well guess what the entire family is leaving Long Island and New York. Even the two 1st cousins that just bought homes in Nassau and Suffolk two years ago are going to leave.

Reality is always better than a news report or newspaper story. So here goes. This is the list of people that are going to leave. None of them are teetering anywhere near financal problems but are just sick and tired of the rising costs in
Long Island. a brief description of who they are and what they do and what they have done.

Steven (cousin mid 50's) college degree in business. Works in Mid Town Manhattan. Owns a home in Pa. and a condo in Nassau. Not married. Selling Pa. home and condo and going to northern California to retire.

Carl and Linda late 50's (both Nassau County employees within 2 years of retirement.) Will sell house in Nassau County and go to North Carolina. Their one daughter is a Resident and will stay behind to finish her medical training.

Bob and Carol (homeowners in Nassau county for over 35 years. He is 62 and just retired from electrical Union#3. She has one year to go in a Town of Hempstead job. Have house up for sale going to Florida.

Kathy and Vinny (both in mid 50's)he is a liscensed Master Plumber she is a stay at home housewife.) Have Nassau County home up for sale going to Florida. Their children.

Paul and Kristy (mid 20's) She has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a Suffolk County teacher. He has a Masters Degree in business. Works in Queens firm. Bought a home in Smithtown 2 years ago. Did not spend over there heads (397,000) but never figured to see 1000 dollar oil deliveries, gasoline prices for commute and LIPA. Selling home and going to North Carolina.

Vincent and Di (mid 20's) Bought a home in Nassau County two years ago for 409,000. Two children 2 & 4. He has a Masters Degree in ecconomics and she has a Master's Degree in business. Both have great jobs in Manhattan. Same situation as above Brother and they are selling and going to North Carolina.

One fianl note on this one family. Sharon and Kevin. Mid 20's. One child. Both are teachers with Masters Degrees. Both quit their city teaching jobs and they moved 300 miles upstate and took teaching jobs up there. Just bought a house in Pennsylvanioa for 205,000.

One family. Sisters and Brothers that grew up in New York, raised their children in New York. Saw there 3 Grandchildren born the last 4 years in New York.

Now all have their homes up for sale and are going to leave.

As for us their cousins. Both of our children have already left. Son went to Midwest and bought a home for 143,000. Daughter and boyfriend left last July and are living in Florida. So I guess it time for us to start planning to leave also. Who wants to live in New York after the entire family leaves.

This is Long Island's REALITY today. Not just the children fleeing but now also their parents. That is what happens when politicans force the young college eduated couple's to flee. The parents leave also because they have nothing to hold them here.

I believe you are going to see an exodus off Long Island that will rival the migration out of New york city in the late 60's and 70's. Entire extended familes fled to Lonng Island and New Jersey. When that happened New York City imploded and in 1975 had to be brought back from the brink of bankruptcy and placed under New York State control.

Here we go again.

[retired NAVY SEAL]

u know that the schools are laughing at these folks as they give bloated salaries to their bureaucracies and all the special districts rip off the taxpayers up to wazoo. that's why li has the highest property taxes in the nation. i can't wait until no one is left in this cesspool where i grew up.

[KirkHere]

JJJ wrote:

<quoted text>you are 100% right,look what happened when bush was elected,911,economy took a dive,fuel skyrocketed,layoffs,more illegals here,americans not being able to feed there families,and this government only cares about what goes on in other countries to line there pockets,as they say,corprate greed.

Why are you blaming G.W. Bush? G.W. bush is nhot a county Executive on Long Island. G.W. Bush is not a Long Island county legislator. Nor has he ever been in the New york state legislature. G.W. Bush does not run LIPA. G.W. Bush is not on a Long Island school board. G.W. Bush did not betray you and other people who worked hard and paid off their homes on 20 or 30 year mortgages only to see their local tax bill go to $1000+ a month. 1000+ a month is triple what my original mortgage and tax payments were when I bought my home.

While the entire federal government is complicit in the destruction of the current Middle Class in this nation you and I both know the feds didn't do the damage alone. Most was done by local and state politicans.

[omegaman]

Dan wrote:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news /releases/2004/08/20040809-9.h tml
"The President believes that homeownership is the cornerstone of America's vibrant communities and benefits individual families by building stability and long-term financial security. In June 2002, President Bush issued America's Homeownership Challenge to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to encourage them to join the effort to close the gap that exists between the homeownership rates of minorities and non-minorities. The President also announced the goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families before the end of the decade. Under his leadership, the overall U.S. homeownership rate in the second quarter of 2004 was at an all time high of 69.2 percent. Minority homeownership set a new record of 51 percent in the second quarter, up 0.2 percentage point from the first quarter and up 2.1 percentage points from a year ago."
Looks like the mortgage industry answered the challenge by giving loans to anyone that had a pulse.

Unfortunately, many people just want to blame the victims. The people who made out like bandits are Bushes cronies at the banks who allowed this subprime "ponzi scheme" to get out of control. They made their money but now don't want to get stuck with the bill. Wait till they bail out the banks and you and I will get stuck having to pay for this subprime nightmare.

[commanderbobnj]

KirkHere wrote:

<quoted text>
Why are you blaming G.W. Bush? G.W. bush is nhot a county Executive on Long Island. G.W. Bush is not a Long Island county legislator. Nor has he ever been in the New york state legislature. G.W. Bush does not run LIPA. G.W. Bush is not on a Long Island school board. G.W. Bush did not betray you and other people who worked hard and paid off their homes on 20 or 30 year mortgages only to see their local tax bill go to $1000+ a month. 1000+ a month is triple what my original mortgage and tax payments were when I bought my home.
While the entire federal government is complicit in the destruction of the current Middle Class in this nation you and I both know the feds didn't do the damage alone. Most was done by local and state politicans.

"They" always like to blame Bush for all their troubles---As you say, the local and state governments affect our local property taxes. It is definitely the same here in New Jersey. Just wait until 'Bama (If, GOD HELP US--he is elected) and his administration try to 'adjust' the US economy. Should be interesting to watch your new governor Patterson 'mis-lead' New York State---[Corzine here in NJ is doing literally Nonething to bring down our state debt]--- If both these "leaders" screw-up then there will be NO state in which to go to that won't be negatively affected !!----Just an opinion...

Commander BOB

[hugh-g-rection]

A father of three, Bill makes more than $70,000 a year. But after his mortgage rate reset in October, hiking his payments from $3,300 to $4,300, he began going to his church's food pantry. Bill if you can't feed'em dont breed'em. Get an additional job or MOVE. I have had to rent because jacka**e* like you drove LI reality too artificial highs. This is your own fault take some responsibility.

[Millie Frank]

You know I don't care what people say. If he was paying his mortgage on time and had a ARM why don't they give him a fixed rate. These lenders knew they could not afford the ARM but because of greed they gave out these loans. I am for people to own homes then rent. Property values goes up, communities stays vibrant and cleaned. The opposite is what's going on now. Everything is going to the tank.

[Bill]

JJJ wrote:

<quoted text>you are 100% right,look what happened when bush was elected,911,economy took a dive,fuel skyrocketed,layoffs,more illegals here,americans not being able to feed there families,and this government only cares about what goes on in other countries to line there pockets,as they say,corprate greed.

Lets fast foward 20 years. All those people in your family whith all those degrees have offspring dumb as a stone from being raised in Florida and all the other "inexpensive" places where education stops at High School. These people all benefited from a good education on Long Island and it cost money to get there.

[Bill]

How is this a business article? Why does chitzday put the in the business section?

[hugh-g-rection]

Millie Frank wrote:

You know I don't care what people say. If he was paying his mortgage on time and had a ARM why don't they give him a fixed rate. These lenders knew they could not afford the ARM but because of greed they gave out these loans. I am for people to own homes then rent. Property values goes up, communities stays vibrant and cleaned. The opposite is what's going on now. Everything is going to the tank.

He had an ARM like all people who have ARMs because he could not verify his income or put 20% down, which was the industry standard. 20% down insured that the investor was linked to the property and would be hurt if they left

[Bill]

KirkHere wrote:

Long Island may be doomed and perhaps that is what the powers to be want.
The entire family got together yesterday (Saturday) for a 2nd cousins 4th birthday. Well guess what the entire family is leaving Long Island and New York. Even the two 1st cousins that just bought homes in Nassau and Suffolk two years ago are going to leave.
Reality is always better than a news report or newspaper story. So here goes. This is the list of people that are going to leave. None of them are teetering anywhere near financal problems but are just sick and tired of the rising costs in
Long Island. a brief description of who they are and what they do and what they have done.
Steven (cousin mid 50's) college degree in business. Works in Mid Town Manhattan. Owns a home in Pa. and a condo in Nassau. Not married. Selling Pa. home and condo and going to northern California to retire.
Carl and Linda late 50's (both Nassau County employees within 2 years of retirement.) Will sell house in Nassau County and go to North Carolina. Their one daughter is a Resident and will stay behind to finish her medical training.
Bob and Carol (homeowners in Nassau county for over 35 years. He is 62 and just retired from electrical Union#3. She has one year to go in a Town of Hempstead job. Have house up for sale going to Florida.
Kathy and Vinny (both in mid 50's)he is a liscensed Master Plumber she is a stay at home housewife.) Have Nassau County home up for sale going to Florida. Their children.
Paul and Kristy (mid 20's) She has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a Suffolk County teacher. He has a Masters Degree in business. Works in Queens firm. Bought a home in Smithtown 2 years ago. Did not spend over there heads (397,000) but never figured to see 1000 dollar oil deliveries, gasoline prices for commute and LIPA. Selling home and going to North Carolina.
Vincent and Di (mid 20's) Bought a home in Nassau County two years ago for 409,000. Two children 2 & 4. He has a Masters Degree in ecconomics and she has a Master's Degree in business. Both have great jobs in Manhattan. Same situation as above Brother and they are selling and going to North Carolina.
One fianl note on this one family. Sharon and Kevin. Mid 20's. One child. Both are teachers with Masters Degrees. Both quit their city teaching jobs and they moved 300 miles upstate and took teaching jobs up there. Just bought a house in Pennsylvanioa for 205,000.
One family. Sisters and Brothers that grew up in New York, raised their children in New York. Saw there 3 Grandchildren born the last 4 years in New York.
Now all have their homes up for sale and are going to leave.
As for us their cousins. Both of our children have already left. Son went to Midwest and bought a home for 143,000. Daughter and boyfriend left last July and are living in Florida. So I guess it time for us to start planning to leave also. Who wants to live in New York after the entire family leaves.
This is Long Island's REALITY today. Not just the children fleeing but now also their parents. That is what happens when politicans force the young college eduated couple's to flee. The parents leave also because they have nothing to hold them here.
I believe you are going to see an exodus off Long Island that will rival the migration out of New york city in the late 60's and 70's. Entire extended familes fled to Lonng Island and New Jersey. When that happened New York City imploded and in 1975 had to be brought back from the brink of bankruptcy and placed under New York State control.
Here we go again.

Lets fast foward 20 years. All those people in your family whith all those degrees have offspring dumb as a stone from being raised in Florida and all the other "inexpensive" places where education stops at High School. These people all benefited from a good education on Long Island and it cost money to get there. Good riddance to them all.

[tony]

I REALIZED I HAD TO LEAVE LONG ISLAND 3 YEARS AGO,SOLD MY HOUSE AND TO NORTH CAROLINA I CAME.YOU WANT TO LIVE ON LONG ISLAND GO GET 3 JOBS.LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.CABLE TV IS NOT A CHOICE.AND FORGET THE CELL PHONE.