From the article:

"Whether larding up the bill with all these benefits is good for taxpayers is a debate for another part of the newspaper. But there is no shame in taking advantage of what is offered. In fact, you would be foolish not to."

I find these statements disgusting. First, any discussion of the "benefits" of a bill should discuss how much the "benefits" will cost, who will have to pay for them, and whether or not taking the money from those who will have to pay for them is just. If people only read about what's in it for them without putting a face on the people who will pay for it, they will not really think about those other people. That is exactly what is going on with the media coverage of this bill. We see the people who are supposed to benefit ("homeowners" facing foreclosure), but the media never shows us, for example, families who refused to take out irresponsible loans and continued to rent that will have to pay for this bill while putting off their own dreams of home ownership; or, elderly homeowners who worked hard to pay off their own mortgage only to find themselves overwhelmed with high property taxes due to the artificial increase in the assessed value of their properties who will have to pay for the benefit of those who ran up their assessments; or, the person who may have bought an overpriced home but is continuing to pay his mortgage on time who will not receive a lower rate or a lower basis in his property and, thus, will have a harder time avoiding a loss or making a profit when he sells who will have to pay for those who are not living up to their obligations.

Second, anyone who takes advantage of these handouts should be ashamed. Taking money from your fellow citizens for your benefit, whether approved by Congress or not, is stealing. One should be ashamed to steal.

Finally, it is not foolish to refuse to take advantage of these "benefits." It is honest and respectful of your fellow Americans not to steal their money for your benefit. This unabashed sense of entitlement is what landed us in this mess to begin with. A good way to start changing attitudes, would be to show to the people who will benefit the plights of those from whom they are taking. Maybe a little shame would be a good thing.

Housing Bill Has Something For Nearly Everyone
http://www.cnbc.com/id/25847549