Paying the price for corrupt policies The letter writer of the piece titled "We're watching history repeat itself" printed in the Oct. 24-25 weekend edition completely misses the mark on why we are currently in the worst financial crisis since the Depression. While past meltdowns are attributed to greedy companies and investors, the crisis now before us is the end result of an elected progressive government's failed policies run amok. The foundation for this crisis was laid with the Community Reinvest Act of the late 1970s - a legacy of then President Carter. The CRA made it easier for low income people to qualify under federal law for home loans. Lenders were forced under penalty of that federal law to issue loans to people who would not otherwise qualify for a loan. The CRA allowed people to claim welfare as a source of income. In the 1980s and ‘90s, community organizations and their idealistic lawyers learned to exploit the CRA to the fullest, forcing lenders under penalty of law to make bad loans to people who would otherwise never have qualified. One such organization was ACORN with their then young lawyer Barry Soetero; who would later change his name to Barack Hussein Obama, our current president. Lenders then learned how to transform these loans into funds that were traded like company stocks, thereby passing the risk around. There were calls for industry reforms and regulations by republicans under President George W. Bush, but democrats would have nothing to do with it, killing any chance we had at dodging this "train wreck." Sen.Chris Dodd, a Democrat who received a sweetheart of a loan, was one of the most vocal against any regulation. These are verifiable facts, if you take the time to look. The only history repeating itself is we the people continuing to elect corrupt progressive failures as our leaders and representatives. Let's stop repeating that history. — Chad Henriksen Beaver Dam Walker the right choice for Wisconsin Nov 2 begins the countdown. Only one more year until Scott Walker is our new governor. Now that Barbara Lawton has withdrawn from the race, and Mayor Barrett hasn't reached a decision, the Democrats have no candidates in the race. Even if Mayor Barrett decides to run, this isn't a very popular time for him to do so. In his recent budget proposal, he wanted to raise property taxes by 4.8 percent, while reducing fire and police forces. Walker's budget proposal, once again, cut taxes with no threat to the safety of residents. It doesn't take much thought to figure out who the better candidate is. Wisconsin desperately needs an overhaul. Scott Walker is the man to do it. Vote for Scott in 2010. — Marilyn Okon Hustisford Put Crime to Bed support noted The second annual Put Crime to Bed brat fry was recently held at The Verlo Mattress Factory in Beaver Dam. Funds raised during this event were donated to the Beaver Dam Police Department Crime Prevention Fund and also the Beaver Dam Fire Department Education Program. I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. John Henry for their sponsorship of this event and their most generous donation to the programs; Kim Breuer for her help in organizing; the staff at Verlo; the Exchange Club for the use of their grill and tables; Piggly Wiggly, Pepsi and Frito Lay; The Elks Club for having the Drug Education Trailer at the event; members of the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association and fire department for providing the manpower. Finally, thanks to all that attended the event. The turnout was indicative of the support that the citizens of Beaver Dam give to the programs for our city. — Chuck Stangl Beaver Dam