I used to believe this, but it assumes that all the stalemate is over legitimate disagreement, but at this point they will not permit a “win” even if they actually agree with the point. There should be space to legislate around the (admittedly few) points of legitimate agreement more substantive than naming a post office.

Even if they could, Congress ceased to function as a governing body unless the same party controls both houses since the mid 90s.

It’s a recurring joke in my family that my uncle believes every business he has not personally availed himself of is a front for the mob. By his reasoning all gynecologists offices are mob connected.

Opera is that one business in town your uncle says is a front for the mob that wants you to know they’re still open despite street construction and an apparent lack of customers for the last 20 years.

Maybe it’s because I’m a farm kid, but this is what I say. Buying the house is a lot like buying a cow. It’s expensive up front. It has lumpy cost associated with it (new roof, new furnace are like going to the vet). It does have the benefit of “free milk” if you don’t count the costs I just mentioned. And once you’ve fed it enough hay or bred it(paid down the principal, maybe see appreciation and potentially invested in it) you can resell it for an increase in value.

At current interest rates you’re probably going to have a larger monthly payment than rent, but if you have the cash outlay, and you’re willing to share the house with someone else who is paying you rent it might be better for you. One day you’ll likely be able to refinance it to lower interest rate, and you’ll have a headache of having to deal with roommates, but it can make sense.

Definitely call the servicer. I have had numerous instances of them screwing up my escrow account. In fact it’s happened so often I don’t use escrow anymore. The servicers I’ve had (3 total) are just too incompetent.