The really big deal no one's talking about

With people focusing on CPAC, the GOP primary, and the contrived contraception 'issue', a big accomplishment for the White House is going unnoticed. The Obama administration has negotiated a settlement between the country's five largest mortgage lenders and 49 state Attorneys General (all but Oklahoma) for the lenders to provide over $25 billion to homeowners. This is compensation for unfair business practices that contributed to the housing collapse. Different people will receive different benefits. Some will see their mortgages restructured, while others will receive checks. An important facet is that nothing absolves the lenders from future litigation, so this is not a 'get out of jail free' card. This will have a direct impact on the housing market, and will be a needed boost to some states that have been crippled by the collapse, states like Florida and Nevada.
Mortgage Settlement

---

It's a slap on the wrist essentially.

---

Am I wrong in my understanding that jail time and further prosecution is taken off the table by this deal?

---

Helping the poor? Socialist! This is just more proof that Obama is a diabolical dictator hell-bent on handing our country over to Middle Eastern terrorists! And other stuff that can't be substantiated and makes no sense!

---

As the NY AG Eric Schneiderman (omigodithinki'minlove) stated last night on Rachel Maddow, there is no immunity from criminal or civil cases going forward. It not only will help a lot of people, it's a political masterstroke.

And now...with an adjustment to the rules regarding birth control, Obama has allowed (once again) the Republicans look like lunatics and make himself look like the guy who can solve the problem through rethinking and compromise.

Or he's just a bumbling idiot who likes to f&ck his teleprompter while instituting Sharia law.

Schneiderman is clearly one of the good guys. He's on my short list of people I'd vote for no matter what they're running for, along with Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren.

And yeah, it looks like the compromise being worked out on contraception is going to be a big win for Obama. He'll be able to appease the churches while retaining coverage for the women who work for hospitals, colleges, etc. And once again, the GOP extremists down at CPAC look like the lunatics they are. It's a big win for Obama with moderates & independents.

---

What kills me is that there are plenty of things about which to criticize the President. But his opponents have decided to go after a purely fictionalized version of the man. It's Bush Derangement Syndrome writ large.