Okay, we have started down the bailout road. We have bailed out the banks, the auto industry and now we are giving the appearance of helping struggling homeowners. The problem with all of this is not that it isn't necessary but that the possibility of fraud and misuse is extremely high. When the first round of bailout money was released at the end of the Bush presidency, concerns were raised about accountability and there was no accountability. Money was spent with no oversight.

When President Obama released the next round of bailout money and talked to auto makers about their bailout, accountability was stressed, if not required. We shall see if actual oversight takes place and if the companies in question will be held accountable for their actions.

Now a plan to aid struggling homeowners has been proposed. On the surface it seems like this should be a welcome idea but it too has its detractors. There have been concerns that this will cause otherwise responsible homeowners to just stop making their mortgage payments just to obtain federal assistance. Another concern, it that it rewards those individuals who bought homes that they knew that they could not afford either through creative mortgage lending or outright fraud.

Human nature being what it is, people can attempt to take advantage of a situation. Those of us who have worked through our mortgage problems and did it without government assistance, naturally feel that we are being punished for being conscientious. In reality that is not true but appearances are what matter. We hate the appearance that someone is getting rewarded for behaving irresponsibly. We want to be rewarded for behaving responsibly, doing what we are supposed to do. We all want a pat on the back and acknowledgment for not failing. It is human nature to view the homeowners assistance as a reward for not behaving responsibly and possibly failing.

Lets look beyond the appearances and give everything a chance to succeed. Time will reveal all.