Spin doctoring?

[AK]

In a recent thread I and others were accused of “spin doctoring.”

Well is there anything wrong with trying to portray ourselves in a more positive light?

The most common perjorative aimed at housing “bears” is that we are “negative” which leaves us open to accusations that we are “jealous bitter renters” greedy pigs who hope to profit off others’ misfortunes. Can’t we find a way to describe ourselves in a more palatable way?

Come on, let’s face it, typical middle-class Americans *HATE* anything that smacks of negativity. Think of the semantic difference between “anti-abortion” and “pro-life.” This middle-class aversion to anything “negative” borders on a religion. In fact it is a matter of religion for many people. (But let’s save that discussion for another time and another thread.)

What’s a good touchy-feely term for “housing bear” that will help us shed the JBR label? I thought about “affordable housing advocate” but that makes suburban homeowners see red for other reasons.

[Bugs]

I don’t care what the bulls think of me. They have their own problems to worry about right now. Trying to recast our image in a more positive light by coming up with feel-good labels in place of their perjoratives is a waste of time. I don’t need to tell myself that I’m okay; and if I’m not okay, telling myself that I am won’t make it so.

[lendingbubblecontinues]

Rather than considering me a JBR, why not look at me as someone seeking “down-payment assistance” from the seller?

Nevermind that I am seeking $500,000 in downpayment assistance from them on their $1 million dollar over-priced home;-)

I, too, can claim victim status, then, if I let everyone know I need assistance. This is certain to please the middle-class, no?

[lendingbubblecontinues]

double post…sorry

[HereWeGo]

I’m not a big fan of the everythings-falling-apart bears; it just doesn’t seem to correlate with reality. That said, I’m very bearish on certain sectors, especially housing, Alt-A lending, and housing related spending.

Now globally positioned US companies capable of taking advantage of the 4-5% world GDP growth? That’s an entirely different story, as current earnings reports indicate.

[Anonymous]

Don’t be a “housing bear”, be a “pro standard of living bull!”

Start channeling Larry Kudlow (if can avoid throwing up in your mouth)

“It’s no crash, silly! It’s a great thing of Amuurican capitalism, like outsourcing. It’s free trade bringing prosperity to the great American entrepreneur! We get to enjoy the peace and prosperity of this Great Republican Adminsitration and stop with your Democrat negativisms, foreclosure this and bankruptcy that. I love the smell of foreclosures in the morning—it smells like victory of the pro-growth class over the pro-government-bureaucrat class”

[anxvariety]

I think many bears are cool with playing musical chairs.. they just want to make sure that they have a pillow stuffed behind rear end first, and you know that’s kinda embarrassing to be walking around all day like that… then again, many of us would probably rather stay standing and grab a clipboard to keep and eye on how the game is unfolding..

[kewp]

Do the bulls really think that pricing out 99% of new home buyers within the next decade is a good business plan?

Cause that’s what they are advocating!

[Critter]

I consider myself a housing hibernator – not down on housing per se, just waiting for this “long winter of my discontent” to be over so I can make a purchase.

[noone]

I like DrChaos’ suggestion. We’re pro standard of living.

We’re not trying to take anything away from you, we’re trying to save you (and your children) from yourself. We can envision a brighter future for your children than you do. We see a time when someone earning twice the median income won’t be forced to cram their entire family into a studio condo.

We point out that the perpetual motion does not exist in real estate any more than it does in kinetic machines. If no one speaks the truth, will we avoid it? Perhaps a better symbol than bulls would be ostriches. Keep your head in the sand and reality will go away.

[Reality]

I rent for now, but I’m pro real estate. And ANTI BUBBLE.

[AK]

Wow, lots of ideas!

I really like Critter’s suggestion of “housing hibernator” because it seems to evoke a friendly, non-threatening image of bears … sort of a big, goofy, salmon-munching Disney-like image. Plus as Critter says it show that we’re not doing anything wrong … we’re just fattening up and trying to get through the winter!

But if pressed I’ll fall back on JohnAlt91941’s phrase “pro real estate, anti bubble.”

I’ll shout it to the rooftops. “I’M A HOUSING HIBERNATOR!”

[AK]

OT … great quote from a commenter at Calculated Risk:

I can’t tell me how often I’ve been told by my peers and clients that I’ve got to be more optimistic.
In the last couple of decades people have been brainwashed into thiking that optimism implies everything turning out fine while, in my book, it means having the psychological fortitude to overcome hardship.
D. | 04.25.07 – 8:44 am |

[Author]

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