Taxpayers pay $557 million for odd jobs at foreclosed homes

The U.S. reportedly has spent $557 million to mow the lawns, paint the walls and fix cabinets for foreclosed homes across the country over the last year. That's small potatoes compared to the $124 billion the housing bailout is said to have cost Americans, but it's a huge bill nonetheless, and one that has led to a lot of fingerpointing. "If the banks aren't willing to work with people to keep their homes, let the banks pay the upkeep," said one commenter, while another called it "just another way our so called government officals are running the average taxpayer into the ground." The well-manicured ground, that is.