Are Gas Prices the Real Reason For the Housing Crisis?

CitizenSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:45:17 -0700

I'm already a fan of Scotty Iseri's politically-charged pop music - but when he puts together a Morgan Spurlock-esque explanation about how the housing crisis isn't really due so much to "predatory lending" and "reckless borrowing" but the cost of getting out to those McMansions my interest was piqued.

Scotty's piece studies Buffalo Grove, outside of Chicago, IL, where residents spend almost a quarter of their income on transportation cost, and nothing is accessible without getting behind a wheel. Showing how Buffalo Grove's houses have declined 8 percent in value, while Chicago - where it's possible to live close to everything you need without getting in a car has seen housing prices go up almost 10 percent, makes a lot of sense. Similar trends are happening in Portland, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles, where the draw of houses far away pales in comparison to that ubiquitous "pain at the pump."

What do you think? Is gas the real grinch?

Scotty Iseri and the Big Rock Show Runs For President

CitizenSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:03:40 -0800

If you think the 2008 campaign has stretched on too long already, get a load of this - Scotty Iseri's already gearing up for a run in 2020. That is, if you consider the front man of the world's smallest stadium rock show a contender. I sat down with this political-pop comedian who defines his style, "like NPR seriousness with my imagining of the Daily Show's house band." We talked about his new album, Scotty For President, which is "the Rock and Roll equivalent of an exploratory committee. I’m running in 2020. And if the album does well, I will have no choice but to run - after all, nothing says competence in our culture like celebrity."

Why pop music as a political platform?

Most pop music doesn’t deal with world issues, I'm grabbing and using it as a way to talk about serious issues in a lighter way, that helps people interact with politics differently. You can talk about things that are ridiculous and make you really angry - but have fun with them, rather than taking a Fox News approach – which let’s face it - isn’t fun."

It's this sense of fun that helps him tackle issues like religion in politics and corporate scandals. To get the scoop on his campaign, read more.

His campaign anthem, Scotty Iseri, You Can Do Anything, "is really more of a dare than a song. Let's face it: America (and Canada) are asking me to run." Well when faced with a potential candidate who calls himself, "a half-Japanese Barack Obama with a synthesizer and pyrotechnics," you have to admit that would add diversity to the ticket. And his sound? "Think the Violent Femmes and Biz Markee doing Randy Newman covers, for the truly politically peeved."

Intrigued and in the Portland area? Scotty's Big Rock Show is playing live Feb. 14-24. Here's a little sample of his sound: Now his music is hilarious - but a little blue, and I don't mean Democrat - there's adult language, just a warning. I'm a fan of I'm Sorry Mr. President.

One last reason to listen? "Let's put it this way: If you’ve ever wanted to see a half-naked man with a lightening bolt on his chest standing on the steps of Congress, this album is for you."

TresSugar

Are Gas Prices the Real Reason For the Housing Crisis?

Scotty Iseri and the Big Rock Show Runs For President