Scott, Suffice it to say that I'm glad I'm not in politics because whether it's spending or tax cuts, anything short of letting the free market run it's course is just going to be a band-aid and will peel off sooner or later.

Marian, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I sat down one day and read your book cover to cover. It was an easy read and very informative. It crystallized for me the real value of the Home Ownership Accelerator. It is about far more than just paying off your home early. What the efficient buildup of equity really does is allows people to put the strategies outlined in your book on auto-pilot. Once they see their cash flow at work, they can set up systematic monthly investments, set it and forget it, and watch their wealth accumulate. Derek

Excellent observation, Ginger. I agree. Another point of view is that the nationally-recognized brand benefits the surrounding businesses by attracting new consumers to an unfamiliar area. I am a member the Ingersoll Business Association which is made up primarily of small locally-owned businesses. The area is in a phase of revitalization. Two weeks ago, it was announced that, unfortunately, our Baker's Square restaurant would be closing. I was talking to some neighbors last night about the benefit of trying to attract another well-recognized chain restaurant (T.G.I. Fridays, for example) to the area and how that would actually attract more people from other parts of town and out-of-town guests to the area and surrounding businesses. As you said, "Balance all around." Thanks for the comment. Derek