Some are calling it the worst housing crisis since the Great Depression. More than 635,000 foreclosure notices were filed during August, September and October, double the number from the same period last year, according to RealtyTrac Inc., a mortgage data company.

Nevada, California and Florida lead in foreclosures, but the Midwest suffers from the double whammy of a declining housing market and economic performance that lags much of the nation. I take exception to the broad classification of “the midwest”. Residing in Western Missouri and only four hours from St. Louis – where one sees the Gateway Arch as the gateway to the west – I find it hard to fathom that Detroit, Milwaukee, and Cleveland are “the midwest.” It changes nothing, however, as economic downturns and cold winters make foreclosures even harder in these areas.

In a recent articled titled “HSBC dupes customer, then ruins credit” we notice very little compassion from those who commented on the article. The article comes from household – HSBC Watch, where the editors noted that at least one comment came from a company employee.