Ann-Marie Clements M.S. GREEN REALTOR, Saint John, Quispamsis, & Grand Bay

Today, my daughter and I took a 2-1/2 hour drive east from Saint John to Moncton, New Brunswick. We were both VERY EXCITED!!! We both took the time to go see our former U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton speak in Moncton. The former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna (now a hot shot for TD Financial Bank) introduced my former president to 6,000 people by the time the Moncton Coliseum was full.

He stated a few comments that I think are note worthy. He said, "The financial crisis proves we are living in an interdependent world." That the current U.S. administration should have taken steps on the mortgage crisis at least a year ago. That the signs were there that the housing industry was in trouble, due to deregulation of the banks. That the Hedge Funds were too much in the housing industry and many "short term sellers" were betting against many U.S. companies, so the 10% richer Americans were getting even richer. That consumers were losing confidence with the U.S. economy and were starting to not buy. He believes in a capitalism society, we shouldn't have bailed out Lehman Brothers, they should have been allowed to fall.

He said that he spoke to the Wal-Mart officials and when the banks started having problems in September & October, Wal-Mart saw the largest drop in consumer spending, except for one item; home safes. Wal-Mart saw a 30% increase in home safes!! Basically, Consumer confidence had hit an all time low. People were willing to buy their own safes, even though the banks had most of their money insured.

He thinks that O'Bama did the right thing by hiring Larry Summers. He believe, Larry Summers is the smartest man on the planet, because he understands the fundamental differences between the 1930's, 1980's & the current 2008 financial crisis.

He thinks that what should be done with the incoming O'Bama administration is: 1st, a stimulus program to liquify the economy. 2nd, a tax cut for the middle class. 3rd, a public works on the infrastructure investment of our towns, cities and states. With projects in building the better water facilities, modernizing the roads and the bridges. Also, he believes that we need a train system that can get us around more effectively throughout the states and he has been told that the electrical grid is in dire need of revamping, it's extremely outdated. He's an advocate for having all the people in the U.S. to have increased broadband internet access throughtout all of the rural areas, that still don't have access to the internet.

In Health Care, he believes we need an electronic medical care, or as he called it an "intelligenct medical system" similar to Canada's or Great Britains system. He indicated that we (as a U.S. country) spend $200 BILLION more just in Administrative pay, and we need to tackle this problem, which is crippling our health care system.

For the private sector, he says they need to think short & long-term goals. He says that the automobile industry is outdated on technology. We need either a different fuel or more economically efficient on the current fuel (gasoline) or a little of both. He gave an example on the new car coming out called the "VOLT" THAT WILL GET 40-50 miles per gallon. Most people in the U.S. don't travel that far and since the technology is new, the country or private sector could coordinate a response with $10,000 credit as an incentive to buy these cars between Canada & the U.S. He also indicated that since the auto industry is having problems, that Canada would be hit with job losses in the manufacturing sector. He gave a call to the private sector, and said that "they need to lead" to bring our fianancial crisis out of its hole.

He did joke a little and actually agreed with the current President Bush on one item only! Food Aid for other countries, he thought that Congress should have passed a bill to send the knowledge on "How to farm on your own soil and give them money based on that" instead of sending them food only. He believes that we have to give Food Aid to countries, by teaching them how to successfully grow their own food and that would begin the cycle for self dependency. The money sent would go to the seeding, and knowledge base given to the local farmers within that country. Self-discipline & self dependency within your own country is a wonderful thing to pass on to your own culture.

As a country, we need to shorten the period of distress with this financial crisis. He feels we will get out of it within a year or two and it depends on how quickly the next administration & Congress moves on it. He was strong on the fact that as leaders , if we put our heads together, we will get out of this crisis stronger than before!

On another front, he said that we (U.S. and Canada) need to do our personal civic duty to our own countries, by helping our own. That seems to feed on people who give their time, money or knowledge. On this, I (myself) think Canadians in general, usually give more than other countries. Many average Canadians give money, time and knowledge. I've seen the differences between the two countries.

He thinks that Democracy should go worldwide and that by helping other countries through global trade, orderly transitions into Democracy, improving environmental standards and improving wages worldwide we can all live peacefully in tranquil. We will have less Afghanistans if we help them survive financially, economically and with less turmoils as a country. We would make more friends and less enemies if we were willing to share our wealth instead of being greedy about it.

Frank McKenna did ask him a few questions at the end about Canada's concerns. One of them was that with the financial crisis, Canadians think that the U.S. will create job protectionism and that could hurt Canada. Mckenna went on the tell him that Canadians loved his policy and embraced Clinton's philosophy on balanced budgets, which he did during his presidency years. McKenna also asked him, why it takes so long for a new elected president to take the office over. Clinton explained that before the "Great Depression" in the 1930's the transition of a new president would take over in March of the next year, but due to the "Great Depression" the inaugural dates were moved to January. I never knew this before, so I had a little history education taught to me today. I believe this is Why I majored in Math & Science...

He ended the conversation with Afghanistan, which many Canadians are fighting in the forefronts there. Clinton said that the U.S. became distraughted by Iraq and forgot Afghanistan. That we are starting to shift our military policy more towards Afghanistan and less with Iraq. He believes that Petresis is a GREAT GENERAL and will help work to do this in the next administration.

In conclusion, my daughter and I were very enlightened and had a wonderful time. Ironically, it took me to move to Canada to see an actual president in person. The whole time in the U.S. I never had the opportunity to meet one in person. I left with his one comment on my mind on learning to fix this economic crisis; "Don't be like a cat, once they sit on a hot stove, they'll never sit on a cold stove." We need to learn from our financial mistakes and not be afraid to evolve to the next level by trying something new.

This is one person I always wanted to meet and now I have that opportunity!!!

Former President William Jefferson Clinton is coming to Moncton, New Brunswick, CANADA. He will be speaking to mostly Canadian citizens (even a few former American citizens like myself) about the World Economy. He speech is titled: "Focus on Global Economy". Currently, 75% of the tickets are already sold and will probably be sold by November 25th, when he does his speech at the Moncton Coliseum Complex in Moncton, New Brunswick.

I believe that Clinton is very, very knowledgeable about world economics. In 1968, he originally received his undergraduate degree in International Affairs, at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. During his freshman & sophomore years at Georgetown, he was elected Student President. During his junior & senior years he worked as an intern for Senator J. William Fulbright, the Arkansas Democrat who chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

From there, he won a Rhodes Scholar Scholarhip to Oxford University in England. As a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, he studied Government. He then went to Yale University Law School and graduated in 1973.

After graduating from Yale, he joined the faculty of the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he taught until 1976.

Being the Governor of Arkansas and becoming the U.S. President for 8 economically productive years. When he left the presidency, he also had other accomplishments that are listed here:

1) In 2004, he wrote his autobiography called, "My Life".

2) In 2005, after the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean that destroyed several countries, he was appointed by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, to serve as a Special Envoy for Relief Efforts.

3) In 2007, he wrote "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World". Where he encouraged readers to become involved in various worthy causes.

Even though, he might have had some questionable "moral issues", I believe he will be a DYNAMIC SPEAKER when he speaks in Moncton on November 25th, from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Come join us and get enlightened from his speech!!! My older daughter & myself will be there...

If you want to receive tickets to the event, you can log on:

www.powerwithin.com

I work for a wonderful company that has REALTORS who contribute to a worthwhile foundation that helps many women & children!

Royal LePage Atlantic has REALTORS that are dedicated to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. The Shelter Foundation is the largest public foundation in Canada that are dedicated exclusively to ending violence against women and children. Royal LePage pays the costs of administration so that 100% of all money and effort goes towards helping local shelters and supporting violence-prevention programs in the New Brunswick area of Saint John, Rothesey, Sussex, Shediac and Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada.

Royal LePage REALTORS across Canada have raised more than $7 million since 1999 to help over 30,000 women and children each year.

This Friday, October 24th, 2008 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Royal LePage is having an evening of "The Royal Treatment" at the Shelter Foundation's annual fundraising gala! It's being hosted by CHFI's Erin Davis and featurning a performance by Destino.

For more information, email: shelterfoundation@royallepage.ca

Also, you can donate by cheque, payable to Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation and mail it to the following address:

Royal LePage Shelter Foundation

39 Wynford Drive

Don Mills, ON M3C 3K5

(877) 775-4545

On Wednesday, Oct 1st, 2008, we had both the Queen Mary 2 and the Norwegian Dream at our Saint John, New Brunswick port. We had approximately 5,000 more people in our city in less then a day. In the spring to fall months, we have cruise ships in port every week. The temperature within the Bay of Fundy doesn't exceed 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are the differences between the two cruise ships:

Queen Mary 2 vs. Norwegian Dream

Gross Tons: 151,400 vs. 50,760

Builder: Chantiers de L'Antique vs. Chantiers de L'Antique (France)

Original Cost: 550 million (Euros) vs. 240 million ( Euros)

Entered Service: Jan. 2004 vs. Dec. 1992 (stretched 1998)

Registry: Great Britain vs. The Bahamas

Length: 1,131.9 ft / 345.03 m vs. 754 ft / 229.8 m

Beam: 134.5 ft / 41 m vs. 93.5 ft /28.5 m

Draft: 32.6 ft / 9.95 m vs. 22.3 ft / 6.8 m

Passenger Decks: 17 vs. 10

Total Crew: 1,254 vs. 700

Passengers: 3,090 vs. 2,156

Pass. Space Ratio: 57.2 vs. 29.3

Crew-Pass. Ratio: 2.0 vs. 2.5

Cruising Speed: 25 knots vs. 21 knots

Queen Mary 2 - FACTS

The ONLY Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea

The World's 1st Planetarium at sea

The largest library at sea

The longest jogging track at sea

The largest wine collection at sea

A cultural academy by the University of Oxford, with 7 classrooms and an auditorium

A Pillow Concierge offers a choice of up to 9 different types of pillows

Some royal suites have private elevators

Classic hallmarks include sweeping staircases & a grand ballroom, domed salons

Staff has renowned "White Star Service"

Norwegian Dream - FACTS

Freestyle Cruising concept

Increased entertainment & dining options

Guest can do anything or nothing at all

New LifeStyle Program

More art auctions

Health & Wellness Programs

Cooking demonstrations

In 1998, was stretched an additional 130 ft midsection

Canadian Mortgage Rates for September 12th, 2008

6 Mth 1 Yr 2 Yrs 3 Yrs 5 Yrs 7 Yrs 10 Yrs

Bank of Montreal 6.21 6.65 6.70 6.70 6.85 7.30 7.65
Centum Mortgage 4.25 4.70 5.25 5.35 5.34 5.80 5.90
CIBC 6.74 6.65 6.70 6.70 6.85 7.30 7.65

National Bank 6.30 6.30 6.30 6.35 6.85 7.25 7.45
Royal Bank 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.35 6.85 7.30 7.95
Scotia Bank 6.35 6.35 6.55 6.69 6.85 7.30 7.95
TD Canada Trust 6.20 6.65 6.70 6.70 6.85 7.30 7.65


On October 15th, 2008, is when 100% mortgage financing and 40 year amortizations is over! For the most part anyway, they'll still be available on non-government backed mortgages. As a reminder, when the insurers cap their loan-to-value ratios at 95% in October, high-ratio borrowers will still be able to tack on insurance premiums to their mortgages.

I believe that the mortgage rate trends will continue going up for the next few months, due to the U.S. Mortgage Crisis, until they are stabilized.

1) What are your thoughts on these rates?

2) Where do you see these trends going?