In what seems ironic to Yours Truly, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is suggesting a loan forbearance plan for delinquent borrowers who have lost their jobs.  Under the proposal, lenders would cut mortgage payments of unemployed borrowers for up to nine months.

It's being called the "Bridge to HAMP." The hope is that during the nine months, these borrowers might find a new job and get themselves on the path to getting whole again. Under HAMP( Homes Affordable Modification Program),  loan modifications can be provided to borrowers who have nine months of unemployment benefits. Critics say that's not enough, and with the job outlook the way it is, 10 million to 12 million more homes could enter the foreclosure process.

Okay, there's more to this, and anything that will really help people sounds good to me. The money for these extended benefits would come from TARP funding, which is, well, funded by taxpayers. To me, what looks like a good idea is just one more way for the government to bail out lenders, who got in a mess because of their bad decisions.

And more: I'm not dead set against bailing out lenders. It stinks, but if we have to toss them a lifeline to keep us all afloat, ok, I'm on board with that.

But the time has got to come when lenders man up and eat their losses.  "Bridge to HAMP" may be an okay idea, but it would be nice to see these people offer some quid pro quo.

Just sayin".