Ooh Baby Compound Me!

American Civility - There is no I in Team

2009-10-02T21:07:00.001-07:00

Recently, my stepmother forwarded me a video portraying the bonding of a baby deer and a cat. Yes, it was sugary sweet, but the one thought that crossed my mind was, if two animals from different species can get along so well, why can’t American? Bambi and Mr. Peepers the cat putting Americans to shame.

Our issues today are so ridiculously simple, that it truly makes my head spin with the all the “political spin”. The issue is civility and our ability to be civil to fellow American citizens. That’s it! Instead, many are warped by money, greed and selfishness. Our egos are twisted with pride, supremacy and superficiality. And most importantly, our hearts are filled with fear and insecurity. This is our problem, American. Our government is only a small portion of our society’s culture and our corporations are taking advantage of it. We are the problem.

It is the health care debate that has bought this issue to the forefront. No matter what retorhic you wish to spin, the bottom line is hundred thousands of Americans are doing to debt paying for health care and hundred thousands are dying because they can’t afford medical treatment. That’s it, that’s the crux our problem. So tell me, why so many American’s are against helping fellow Americans who are in need?

The irony of this is, when Hurricane Katrina hit, many gave to the victims. We donated money, time and goods to aid in the recovery. Yet, we cannot give of ourselves to a dying person who is struggling to pay their medical bills and cannot get adequate coverage. Many have proclaimed we should support our troops. So then we should neglect our citizens? That doesn’t make sense. Soldiers are overseas protecting Americans, while corporations are taking advantage of citizens at home?

I was watching the Youtube of Congressman Grayson and someone made a smirk about Grayson’s use of the word “Holocaust”. “How dare he compare our current health care system to the actual Holocaust.” Here’s the point – people are dying in our country unnecessarily and it doesn’t matter how. If we have the means to help, we should.

But our issue with civility goes beyond the health care problem. The most obvious show if lack of civility is when driving. We are absorbed in cell phone calls while driving on the freeways, not just being a nuisance, but a danger. We disobey traffic signals and signs just so we get in front of another. We are all self-contained in an aluminum bubble, that we forget there are other people on the road. Why are we, so much more important and why do we disregard other’s rights? Who the heck are we, anyway?

Until this country learns the basic sports lesson, we will continue to suffer the same problems. “There is no “I” in team. The country does not belong to “me’, it does not belong to ‘You”. It belongs to all. Therefore we will be losers until we work together.

American Civility - There is no I in Team

2009-10-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

Corporate Conspiracy against the American Consumer

2009-08-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

For many years, Lewis Black has been one of my favorite comedians. I have watched his HBO special many times, to the point I can repeat verbatim. This Sunday morning I awoke and granted it wasn’t my first thought of the day, but after being awake for an hour and sipping on my second cup of coffee, I thought of our economy.

Our economy is based on credit and the success of economy is based on the success of the credit markets. That to me is very unnerving. How can you build an economy on credit? We virtually have an economy based on money that we borrow and don’t actually have. Scary. No wonder we have economic issues.

In Lewis Black’s HBO special he talked about water-the essence of life. As a child water was clean and we could drink from the spigot. Now our water that comes from the spigot is not very clean and many buy they water bottled. This example has nothing to do with water, but big business. Make the water dirty that comes from our spigots so we will be encouraged to BUY water from the grocery store. Water, like other natural things (love) should be free. But we will spend a hefty price for both.

Consumers spend what you earn. Well, the average salaries have not kept up with inflation so many people cannot get by on just what they earn. They need credit. We need credit. Let me reiterate, by keeping salaries below inflation rates, encourages people to buy on credit. Making water undrinkable that comes from you tap, encourages you to buy bottled water. In my crazy, rebellious mind, this is a corporate conspiracy against the American people. And thank you Lewis Black, I am not the only one to see this.

The question goes out for the American consumer. Are we satisfied being patsies in a corporate conspiracy? I like many would love to spend only what I earn. I do not want to depend on the disingenuous hand of the credit lender. But what are we going to do? If we don’t use this credit, this will reflect poorly on our credit score which would make it difficult for us to get more credit when we truly need it.

Pay in Full

2009-08-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

“Whoever has the most stuff at the end, wins.”

And I bet the credit card companies are hoping to be winners come the end of time. Do they expect St. Peter will be handing out blue ribbons at the pearly gates? They drink from gold chalices filled with champagne as we debtors live in eternity in the pits of hell. I doubt the white fluffy clouds of heaven can hold the weight of the fat cats of the credit industry.

As many debtors anxiously await legislation to take effect in 2010, I wonder what will happen December 21, 2012 when some prophesies predict doomsday. Will creditors collect our debt in full with long spiny fingers? The Grim Reaper goes by many names-Chase, Citi and B of A. Heck they still try to collect from folks who pass away. I can’t imagine what they will do to collect their money during Doomsday.

But what happens if 2012 is not the end of days, but a change in the paradigm as some philosophers predict. What the heck does that mean? Well, hopefully we will learn lessons of humanity, which have nothing to do with greed and materialism. What a Utopian ideal-humanity would not have to depend on the soiled hands of credit lenders. What if we learn the value lesson of spending what we earn?

Perhaps in the end, we can hope it means the end of corruption and greed. If we’re lucky, it would be the end of a system that rewards those who prey on the misfortune of others. What if the mass majority of debtors shout, “No way, we won’t pay!” What if we protest our identity being assigned by a three digit number by the credit bureau? What if we say, take your FICO system and shove it? What if big brother isn’t the government, but corporate CEO’s brandishing our human identity in a numbered system in which they can make greater profit?

Some may say this blog promotes a dangerous agenda of defying credit lenders and even our own debts. It is not the debts I deny, it is humanity I question. What does the current credit and FICO system speak for humanity and individuality? When we are all dust in the wind, what will history speak of us; a free people driven by materialism and greed, or an imprisoned society twisted in a web of corporate corruption? It is for our generation to decide our fate. The outcome rests solely on our combined shoulders.

"Chase" me to the End of Time

2009-07-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

I saw it coming. I just didn’t expect it to take so long. Chase bank finally decreased my credit limit. The irony is it was Chase bank (formally known as WAMU) who recklessly increased my credit limit without my authorization. This I say contributed to my debt. Thanks for nothing WAMU-I mean Chase.

In the apologetic letter they stated after “careful consideration” they are decreasing my limit for one or several of the following reasons.

1. One or more accounts have high balances compared to credit limits.
2. Total available credit is too low
3. Your hair is too brown.
4. I’m a quarter inch shy of 5’8”.

Personally I think the reason they are decreasing my credit limit is because I am not spending on the card. I haven’t used it in almost six months. When I used the credit card, they loved to increase, increase and increase. But you see here is the REAL reason Chase decreased my limit. After decreasing my credit limit will lower my credit score and thus Chase can turn around and raise my interest rates. So since I’m not spending on my card, they are losing money. But they can make it back by lowering my credit score and charging me higher interest. I’m onto their games.

Credit card legislation kicks into action in 2010, so the banks can have their way with us until then. But here’s my plan, pay the minimum due until the end of days on December 21st 2012 (or as the prophesies indicate). End of the world will do away with credit card debt-WOO HOO!! I guess in that case I will be forever in their debt. I just hope St. Peter isn’t checking credit scores at the gate.

In Need of an Upgrade?

2009-07-16T07:11:00.001-07:00

It has become commericial capitalist theory to create products that often need to be upgraded. Many products are produced to last for a certain period of time to encourage consumers to buy the latest and greatest, whether it is a computer, cell phone or even a car. We build products to break down to get people to buy more. It has been the American economic way for many years.

But what about our nation, are we in need of an upgrade? While other industrialized nations are surging forward in medicine, environmental programs and education, many in our country do not want to surge forward, they want to go backward. How will our country fair in the future if we fail to upgrade?

With our infrastructure dangerously out of date, with bridges, highways, buildings and energy grids in need of upkeep, what would happen if a crisis were to incur in our country that will cause our infrastructure to crumble? But we have to get past big business in order to make improvements. They see upgrades if it brings profit to their company not if it puts the American people at risk. To many in this country, the old mighty dollar is a lot more important than the people and the country.

History has told us, the Romans caught up in a world of self-indulgence and decadence left the Roman infrastructure to decay. This ultimately left them in a weakened state when the barbarians came to attack. You know Capital One isn’t too far off when they elicited barbarians as a mascot, because who better to encourage decadent consumer spending then a bunch of barbarians.

Health Reform-Why give money to insurance companies

2009-07-14T06:58:00.001-07:00

One of the biggest arguments against health reform is paying higher taxes to the government for health reform-Mo’ Government, bad. Well heck, I ask why do I want to give more money to insurance companies who only want to get rich off people’s illness. Personally, I’d rather give my money to the government then give one more cent to an insurance company. It breaks down like this…

About six months ago I went on a job interview at an insurance company. I wasn’t sure what they were calling me to do, but I went anyway. When I got there I found out they were recruiting insurance salesmen. I passed onto the next round of candidates in which I had to sit through an hour and half propaganda film. The beginning outlined the benefits to be sold, and the rest was demonstrating a pyramid scheme on how to make a lot of money. That is the insurance company’s goal to get rich on the illness and misery of others, which got me to thinking about “insurance”.

Quite a concept, insurance and I must say the person who thought up the idea of charging people for insurance was a genius. Think about getting rich on “what might happen.” You pay money to companies because you may get into an accident, a tornado may wipe out your house, or you may get sick and need a doctor. People are getting very rich in this country on possibilities, yet the irony in all this is when something does happen, you have a very difficult time getting money from insurance company. Just ask the victims of Katrina, whom many have yet to see a dime from their insurance companies. Somewhere, they will devise a clause on how you are a not covered. So then you think; why the heck did I spend all that money and not truly be covered. Huh? This is where reform comes in handy.

The thing with our country’s health system is we rank 35th in the world in health coverage behind the great industrialized nation of Morocco. America, that great nation, our health care ranks behind Morocco. Gee whiz, that’s something to be proud of, huh? But even in our insurance system, we have to apply for health coverage. We are not guaranteed coverage and many who are ill and have pre-existing conditions are turned out into the streets by insurance companies who only see American’s as dollar signs not as patients who need care. So we want to continue giving money to these people, why?

Back to the argument of paying higher taxes, perhaps. But here’s the catch, if we have to pay higher taxes for guaranteed health covered instead of paying a premium to an insurance company who many deny us coverage. It’s a flip, who do you trust with your money, the government whom you have the power to vote out of office, or an corporate CEO who wants to profit from your sickness? Imagine having the likes of Bernie Madoff in charge of your health coverage. Corporate CEO’s have a great reputation these days for caring for the Average Joe. That question cannot be easier to answer; give me a Politician over an Insurance Salesmen any day. The other argument is free market competition and choice, which is still a bunch of baloney because it is still corporate CEO’s getting rich off your health and well-being.

Then we move onto quality of health care. Of course, many claim the government health care would not be as good as what an insurance agent can offer. Really? And that “Socialized medicine” in Europe is low quality. Okay, so then why are so many Americans going to Canada and Europe for surgeries and get prescriptions filled? If the quality of health care is so great here, why do many feel the need to seek better health care overseas?

Lastly, and I’m not sure where I heard this, but someone said the difference between Europe and American health care costs comes down to doctors’ salaries. Doctors get paid fair less in Europe. You see because being a doctor in Europe is career choice that cares for the health of the people. Here in the United States people become doctors to get rich. And once again, the issue comes down to money and greed.

So the lesson in this-health reform for all Americans, or making profit for a few people to get richer; health and the quality of life versus, money and greed. Which do you choose America?

Corporate Deregulation - Smell that Char-grilled Aroma

2009-06-28T09:19:00.001-07:00

...But that char grilled taste of deregulated beef just may make you sick; just another value of free market deregulation many are so fond.

Today it is the beef industry with notable outbreaks of E.coli. When will we realize that allowing corporations to regulate themselves is not a good idea? Corporations are creating more sick people for the insurance agents to make more money off illness. It's all about corporate greed-take short cuts in food safety to make more corporate profit and let the sick people give greater profit to insurance companies. It's a vicious cycle at the average Americans' expense.

Here’s the thing America-so many are promoting the reduction of government to put power in the hands of the free market and corporations, but look at what’s happening. Food companies are taking short cuts in food safety at consumer expense for profit, which is in turn is making people sick and making more money for insurance companies. We, the American public are a tool for big business to make a profit. And we wonder why we have a health care crisis in this country.

What is most interesting is; suddenly when stuff like this happens who do many blame-The current administration. Why hasn’t President Obama done anything? Well it was President Bush who ruined the FDA, because big government is bad and big business is oh so good. Now many are crying for President Obama and the government to do something. Which is it? Do you want to be rough-ridden by corporations or do you want ht helping hand of our government? You simply cannot have it both ways; you can’t complain about government intervention one moment and then blame them for something that is not their fault another time. The excuses and rationalizations are not becoming of a nation.

First we have to understand the problem-Greed. It is incessant and is ruining many lives. We Americans have to ask ourselves do we want to be at the mercy of corporations and their profits. I don’t .

The Constitution - For the People, Of the People

2009-06-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

You know what’s funny? Nowhere in the constitution does it say, “For the Corporations of the Corporations,” but somehow the corporations seem to have a louder voice and more rights than average Americans. Wow, we don’t get to have off shore bank accounts to avoid paying taxes. That is a crime for the average American citizen. If our actions kill another, we are arrested, but corporations can kill American soldiers in Iraq and avoid citation. We can’t police ourselves like corporations can regulate themselves. Crazy huh?

The latest battle is health care and the biggest argument is too much government, regardless that 70% of the population wants health care reform. Who cares about the people? We don’t matter. It is what is good for the corporations that matter. Yes, we have to worry about the profit of insurance companies and pad the pockets of overpaid doctors. Yes, I am positive that is what our forefathers anticipated when writing our constitution.

Yesterday’s blog I dabbled with the idea of hypocrisy, but there are no greater hypocrites than politician’s who campaign for less government. Politicians are paid by the government through American taxes. They are taking money for doing something they say they despise. If they felt government intervention is bad, then get out of politics. If you are a politician who promotes downsizing government, you do not belong in government. Crazy, why get a government job if you hate government? Save that career path for those who care about American citizens.

Where did the inspiration for many politicians to promote anti-government. Check out this quote from Grover Norquist, the think tank of Ronald Regan. "My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub". Now if our government is drowned in the bath tub, what is left? That would be anarchy and lawlessness. And what has anarchy and lawlessness got us to date-well self-regulated corporations nearly toppled our economy in their greed. They have exploited citizens with credit and bad loans. They have turned dying people to the streets. That’s a good idea, put our health care in the hands of people who want to only to get rich. It is sick to make a profit on illness.

Perhaps instead of listening to the likes of Grover Norquist we should heed the words of great Presidents like Republican Teddy Roosevelt. "Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense."... "We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.""The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us."

Mark Sanford - A Lesson of Hypocrisy

2009-06-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

On a basic human level, I have sympathy and even empathy for Mark Sanford. It is fully understandable for human beings to fall in love and to act upon their feelings. That is human nature. And my respects go out to his wife and children. However, Mark Sanford has made a career promoting the sanctity of marriage and family values. He has highly criticized and called for the impeachment of other politicians for similar indiscretions-President Clinton. Now he has found himself guilty of the same indiscretion and thus has become a hypocrite.

Hypocrisy, I feel is too often dismissed, when in fact we should feel shame for our hypocrisy. If “Thou shalt not judge” is one of the ten commandments, and hypocrisy is judgment and then committing the same indiscretion-well then you could imagine the “sin” for lack of better word. But I see hypocrisy is running amuck these days with lying, excuses, blaming and denials. If we cannot be in control of our own behavior how is it possible to judge another?

But hypocrisy is not just in family values, we judge others in every facet of our lives. Over the weekend, I read comments about the economy criticizing the “President Obama and the intellectual elites” for standing up for “stupid people.” Figure that one out. Yes, folks were snubbing legislation to make financial fine print easier to understand. I believe that to be elitism and hypocrisy.

What does it say for a nation of hypocrites? What does it say about us when all we can do is judge and criticize one another and even more detrimental anonymously through the internet? Yes, it is easier to be judgment and criticize when people do not know your true identity. It’s not only easy, it’s cowardly. The danger in judgment and criticism is you never know when one day you may be faced with adversity, the same adversity you once judged another. I see so many judging the unemployed (during a recession no less), but what happens when these same people lose their jobs? Be careful.

As Mark Sanford said, “He is a bottom line kinda guy,” and I guess I’m a bottom line kinda gal. Here is my bottom line-acceptance and tolerance. I could accept and tolerate Mark Sanford’s infidelity, but the real issue here is that he failed in his oath of governor of the state of South Carolina, when he left without telling anyone where he was going. It is a question of irresponsibility, not infidelity. He is the governor of a state for crying out loud! And when you place yourself in the public eye, whether it be a celebrity, professional athlete, rockstar or politician-different rules apply.

Look, we are all human. We all at times in our live faced adversity. It’s not our indiscretions we should be judged upon it is how we deal with our indiscretions. It is more irreprehensible if we lie, blame, point fingers, rant and rave than if we are honest and accept our shortcomings. We all have them. We should learn the lesson of not only accepting the shortcomings of others, but ourselves.

Money-Is America Splitsville

2009-06-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Money, it is the number one cause of divorce in marriage and in reading comments to yesterday’s article about President Obama taking on the financial crisis it was evident that emotions are highly agitated and the nation is divided. Is American heading for a divorce with itself? Calling Doctor Phil, America needs you.

Like in a marriage when couples squabble over money usual problems occur; one over spends, while the other in the marriage wants to skimp and save. This is evident today in the country with credit cards. Some have found their way into credit card debt others pay in full. Others like to live life to the fullest careless of money and finances, others live life by their check books. Other money problems result due financial crisis ironically like car troubles, health care emergencies and unemployment. All this leads to financial strife in a marriage and a nation. How do many cope? Split?

One of the first things Doctor Phil might ask, “Do you still love your spouse?” So I ask this question, do we still love America? If we have answered yes that question we are off to a good start. Are you willing to make the relationship work? Yes, okay then follow me to the next paragraph.

The next question I believe Doctor Phil might ask America is what do you value most; money or people? Some no doubt value money above all things. Some like to roll around in money and rub it all over their naked bodies before going to sleep. Money is the best mistress and it really is hard to break that affair, but if you value your family, marriage and country you may just need to end it. Others like me value life and people; in fact I sometimes value it too much a bill may be paid late. For some, honestly life is about a stock portfolio, zero credit card balance or a perfectly balanced check book. For some, life is about living, but then for us folks sometimes a dose of reality does us good. What we need to do is appreciate and understand ourselves and each other. Can we do this? If so, let’s move along.

If someone in your family has money problems, or trouble handling money what is your reaction; kick them to the streets, offer handouts, or do you give them support and counseling? This was the main argument yesterday against President Obama calling for financial reform-throw all Americans who don’t read the fine print to the streets. One person even mocked my comment saying, “Should we help all those who walk with a cane-financially speaking?” Why uhm yes. We do make ramps for the handicap that cannot use the stairs right; so we should make it easier for all people to understand financial contracts. Honestly, I’d like to split with that particular person. That’s not very neighborly American-Mister Idaho. But I digress-onward.

How do we handle a financial crisis in our own home? Many get caught up in bickering, arguing tossing out false prides and accusations. But does that solve the problem? Is getting angry and crying foul to another the solution? I don’t think so, do you?

The answer is analyzing the problems, regulating bad behaviors and finding new saving solutions. This change may be uncomfortable and even scary, but if we value America and the relationship with have with one another, perhaps we should be open-minded to help find solutions that work for all and realize that sometimes in our past relationships our methods of managing finances have been destructive and caused chaos and crises.

President Obama Puts up Dukes against Financial Critics

2009-06-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article on Yahoo. What is most interesting to me is not the article itself but reading all the obvious "right wing" comments. Their main argument about President Obama cracking down on big business is, “Buyer Beware-Why should our government support stupid people.” My comment was, “Whatever happened to “the customer is always right, and good old-fashioned customer service.” What is being served are consumer asses on the silver platters of rich CEO’s.

Even in the article President Obama said he would be willing to listen to arguments if they are intellectual and of good faith. Article commenter #1 proved Obama’s example if your argument against overhauling our finance industry because the average person is stupid. What kind of person argues not to have legislation for consumers because they are not smart enough to understand the double talk of the fine print? We need to do away with that kind of talk. Thank you Westmass50, you just proved Obama’s point. And hey Westmass50, stupid people deserve the same rights as the rest. Don’t you find it ironic, as many claim “elitism” when it comes to the Democrats and Obama, but then these same people do not want to help the average consumer because they are “stupid?” Interesting huh? Smell the hypocrisy folks.

But what many are failing to recognize is Reagan’s deregulation of big business got us into this trouble (You know-Voo-Doo economics). How wonderful all of you to come out and support an economic strategy described as "Voo-Doo". That's smart. To all those criticizing Obama and the government - Let me ask you. Would you rather "corporations" run our country who regulate themselves (Food industry-why Nestle just yesterday had to recall food), KBR is killing soldiers in Iraq, many corporations are evading taxes making the citizens flip the bill. Do you seriously want to put the nation in the hands of greedy CEO's? Do you seriously want this country to be run by CEO's who are only intent to make a profit on American citizens? Seriously, people that is stupid and naive? Corporate CEO's care so much less for the American public then our elected officials, yet so many of you are treating them like gods. I’m actually embarrassed for you.

We (in a democracy) elect a government to "serve and protect". That is what our government is doing-finally. Finally, they are sticking up for the Average Joe. Ironic, since that was the main talking point of McCain and Palin-yet in reality they are standing up for rich CEO.

It is not however the government, it’s the people of this country and our lack of support for one another’s rights. Sadly, I don’t think we can be called “United” States anymore because we are certainly so divided. Why, why would an American citizen deny benefits to be granted to another American citizen? Why can’t we see the leveling the playing field for the entire nation is good? Are we truly that selfish and that self-centered that sticking up for someone else will destroy our livelihood? I hardly find that a true American quality. Our forefathers would be so disappointed in us.

Is Politics Worth Dying For?

2009-06-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

It is the first question I asked myself after reading Iran’s Ayatollah announcement, professing violence to all those who continue to protest in the streets of Tehran. What would I do in such a case if I felt my vote was counted and my rights rejected? Would I confront violence and possibly death for the sake of democracy, or would I just follow along with current government policies?

I was one who protested the initial election of George Bush in 2000, when it appeared Al Gore, who had won the popular vote should be president. After the announcement came that George Bush was president, I accepted the Supreme court’s decision and thought to myself, “It is only four, or even eight years-what harm could he do?” I became a passive objector and went about my business.

Ironically, after doing research for another book on World War II, I saw similar quotes from Germans in the early 1930’s after Adolf Hitler “won” an election by a 99% margin. Many said, “What harm could Hitler do?” Well, hindsight is always twenty, twenty. Hm, many said about Adolf Hitler, what I thought about George Bush-interesting. Fortunately, for America we remained a democracy and not a tyrannical dictatorship such as Nazi Germany. But then the Bush administration broke the Geneva Convention in torturing prisoners of war.

Seriously, Americans have no idea what a tyrannical dictatorship is like. We are not arrested from our homes in the middle of the nights because of our religion, lifestyle or political ideologies. We are so fortunate to be able to speak our minds and speak so negatively of our nation and fellow citizens without fear of severe government retaliation. In fact, I believe we take our freedom to a frightening extreme. I believe we should have much more respect for our freedom and treat others in our country with respect.

Why this is so interesting today, is that some in this country are rebelling and protesting against President Obama and that he threatens to take away American’s freedoms. Personally, I feel that ideology is seriously flawed, but many feel strongly and have no doubt violent thoughts of rebellion. When do we draw arms against the government when we sense injustice? What is the line to which we lay down our own lives for freedom? What causes to we promote and propagate revolution? I believe the answers to these questions should be made with the utmost care and certainty before action. The results could prove disastrous.

Today my heart goes out for the Iranian people. I am greatly impressed by their courage and conviction in the quest for freedom. I wish them peace and freedom and I sincerely wish no bloodshed upon them. Despite the outcome, the Iranian people have been an inspiration of faith and hope to everyone throughout the world. Good luck to them.

"How to Profit from Credit Cards"

2009-06-12T16:03:00.001-07:00

Wow! That was my immediate response after breezing through creditrating.com forum. Now, I’m happy people have found ways to milk the credit system, but in today’s economic climate, maybe it’s just me-maybe I am the only person in American who truly thinks it takes some rather large and heavy brass cahoneys to promote profiting from credit cards.

I think by now many of us have heard about the credit card legislation that has passed through congress and the regulations that are eventually going to be placed on credit issuers. This has come through years of over-charging interest rates, changing billing cycles and fees at their whims on people who are already burdened in debt. And especially now, when unemployment is still going to surge, our economy is still in a precarious situation and people are penny-pinching to feed their families. And some promote how to work the system in order to get rich of credit cards. Wow! It’s really all I can say.

I’m not sure what strikes the biggest nerve; the selfishness and greed or the fact we’re still not getting it. It is this kind of get-rich quick schemes and earning a buck by pushing paper and turning credits that got our country into this economic quagmire. Even after the economy has stabled after the near collapse last October, we simply cannot go back to the same practices and financial ideology that has gotten us into this situation. We simply can’t make profit from nothing any more. We are not only de-valuing money, we are devaluing our society.

Many in the credit industry criticize consumers for over-spending and irresponsibility with credit card use. To me, using credit cards as a means of profit is highly irresponsible and downright dangerous. And it is these people, who make money off credit issuers who make it bad for the people struggling in debt.

We need to understand that when we talk financial responsibility that goes for all; consumers, creditors, corporations and our government. We simply cannot profit off other’s debts and call it good and responsible. We need to call it what is-greed….and it’s not good.

2009-06-11T19:44:00.001-07:00

American Politics - The Bickering Bickersons

2009-06-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

Gosh, honestly I don’t know where to start…but I guess Newt Gingrich is the appropriate person. So there are just a couple points I need to make in regards to the most recent Republican conference. You can’t charge the president of failing after only five months in office, especially when President Obama has done more than most presidents have in their full term, not to mention how badly President Bush screwed up this country and Obama needs to fix it. There said!

Honestly folks; Gingrich is a politician who aspires to be president himself one day. Everything that comes out of his mouth is hogwash and propaganda to sell us his shtick. Many of these politicians and media personalities care very little for you and I. They care for their careers. Let’s not be naïve.

But the most mind boggling thing that came out of Gingrich’s mouth was the fact that he does not believe, nor want America to be a “global” nation. Oh the horrors, America learning to get along with our neighbors. Oh, the terror of Obama trying to find peace with terrorists. God forbid us interjecting understanding and “Empathy” into our foreign policy. Some are tossing around the word “Empathy” like it is “Socialism.” When did empathy become a negative human trait, but then we are still promoting greed like it is the stairway to heaven. Can our priorities be any more messed up?

As Gingrich and republicans want to not only maintain the status quo, they are leading us backwards into a time of darkness. See this video below and watch why it is impossible we cannot be a global nation. If we follow Gingrich’s advice, not only will we not be a global nation, we will join the rank of 3rd world nations.

The world is changing, technologies are rapidly expanding we can either get on board, or stay behind. But know this, if we stay behind and wallow in what “used to be” other nations will become global powers and the United States will become a washed up has been. We are great risk of falling deeper behind if we do not stop this bickering and unite for the common good. United we move forward, divided we fall. That is our choice. I vote for unity.

Message to "Conservative Capitalists"

2009-06-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Uhm…you screwed up our economy of the last eight years.

This message is in regards to a comment I read about the recession and unemployment rate, “Socialist Liberals are going to destroy the economy.” My comment is simple, the “socialist liberals” did not destroy the economy of the past eight years-that gold medal goes to the conservative capitalists.

Our stock market plunged during Bush’s reign of economic terror and it was Bush who famously started the “socialists” bail outs. You see the thing is the "socialist liberals" needed to step into save us from the economic quagmire the conservatives started. I mean, really…can anyone get their facts straight.

Further more, I’d like to comment to all those who toss around the word socialist without ever taking an economics class; we already are a “socialist” nation. What do we benefit in this socialist nation? Well for one, our military is funded by the government through our tax dollars making our military the benefit of socialism. Welfare, social security and education are also “socialist” programs.

The conservative capitalist approach to economics nearly brought down the world economy and we are being bailed out by a Communist country. (Talk about socialism, we are owned by a socialist country-China) Most European nations operate on a “socialist democracy” and their economies are stronger than the United States and we are responsible for their failing economies. So before you get on your soap box and declare the end of socialism and liberals-perhaps you should open your eyes and mind and realize you’re owned by a socialist country.

I am a firm believer that there is a happy medium between capitalism and socialism. That middle ground will be an economic utopia. We have seen before that pure socialism can be bad, and as we have seen over the past eight years with Bush, capitalism run amuck is dangerous. I feel anyone with any common sense and any knowledge of economics will understand.

But we’re not dealing here with common sense, we’re dealing with emotions. We are dealing with bitterness that a democrat is in the White house and has to save the economy from a past republican. Pride has been shattered for many. Personal greed is many people’s motive without care or consideration for fellow Americans. This is what we are battling today, not socialism. Socialism cannot hurt us, but greed can destroy us.

A "Credited" Nation

2009-06-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

Funny word, “credit,” it is a word whose meaning is trust and confidence. As much as the word credit is used, how much trust and confidence do we have in our economy, government and media; credit cards not withstanding?

Everyday we lose confidence in our economy. Daily we read about businesses closing and more layoffs, yet many are still trying to make a fast buck off the unemployed and unfortunate. Frightening that our economic structure is based on consumerism, but what happens down when consumers are not spending? How detrimental could that be to our economy and when will we realize we may need a stronger foundation for an economy?

Today credit is known mostly by a little plastic card, we Americans are obliged to carry. If we do not, we cannot be scored and therefore run the risk of not being able to buy a house or get a job. Corporations have created a credit service and regulated a credit system in which we all must use, and we are judged and graded on how we apply. There is not much need for big brother in our government, when the corporations are filling that job quite well.

Yet with all the challenges with our economy, our country and our government are bitterly divided and many are promoting divisive ideologies that promote an even greater rift between peoples. For politicians who have in the past lied, should we give them credit? In such trying times, should the goal be to promote a national unity?

But then we have the media whom is no doubt guided in their broadcasts by political ideologies and corporate sponsors. Our news has become less news worthy and more so entertainment. Despite the fact that most anchors are glorified “news commentators,” should we give the media any credibility when truths are being misled and twisted?

There was a great time in America’s history when we had a lot of credit with the rest of the world. We were looked upon as the good guys that stood up for injustices, not it seems it is our government that is promoting injustice. There was a time when we were an economic leader, now we have sold our soul to countries whose political structures were once our nemesis (communism). Worst of all we are a divided nation with greater intention to tear each other apart instead of unifying? Nations divided can never be successful and can never achieve greatness.

I guess the underlying issues to people really care about credibility in our economy, nation and media, or are we content knowing our own personal issues and agendas are fulfilled no matter how they affect others?

"Traditional Moral Values"

2009-06-03T07:21:00.001-07:00

I have put the title of this blog in quotes, because I am uncertain these days of the definition. Comments have been made on my blog, and I see many comments and television commentators promoting the same-but what are these values they are promoting?

I was asked yesterday, to pick one historical figure in which I could identify. Who was my historic hero? Without much thought I spouted out Galileo, who was just recently pardon by the Vatican for his innovated philosophy of the 1600’s. Yes it took the Catholic Church almost 400 years to catch up with Galileo. At the time, Galileo was sent into exile and shunned from Catholic society. The teachings and writings of Galileo give us insight today; a great man of genius plunged into darkness by a repressive church. What would our society be like today if Galileo were allowed to pursue his teachings? The mind could only wonder.

Many who shed such an intellectual light over our world are discarded, shunned, exiled and even murdered for the sake of morality and values. Can this be considered virtuous and moral? Can the shunning of another’s ideas be considered a value? Is killing someone because you don’t believe in their causes be considered moral? And can the denial of one’s civil liberty and the pursuit of happiness be valued? Who determines these moral values and how can they be moral if they involve fear, prejudice, bigotry and hate? Shouldn’t kindness, tolerance and acceptance be a traditional moral value?

Sadly today, to these folks of traditional moral values – Empathy is discarded. Apparently, empathy is not a value. How can a people who discard empathy consider them virtuous? But ironically, the same people criticizing empathy as a means of judging are the very same people who want to place legislation for their moral values; stem cell research and abortion. You can’t deny someone to the Supreme Court because they have empathy, and then promote your sense of “morality” as law. It is just hypocritical. If we value morality, then we defiantly need to value empathy. The two kind of go hand in hand-or at least should.

In thinking about this, this morning, I thought of America’s traditional moral values. Traditionally, the United States was founded on freedom; freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom in the pursuit of happiness. It is these reasons why so many fled oppression. People from around the world came to America not to be judged so harshly and condemned; yet today I see judgment and condemnations being shouted loudly by those who promote traditional values. Today in our country, I see oppression, the very oppression many have fled over 200 years ago. I find these values more archaic then I do traditional. If you’re condemning someone’s religion, liberties, etc you are being oppressive and that is not our traditional American value. Remember, America is the home of the free and that freedom belongs to everyone.

Got the Credit Card Blues

2009-06-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Well, just check your email, because you will find a dozen spam emails pimping credit cards. Wait, didn’t our government just pass stiffer credit card legislation? How come all of a sudden I am being spammed for numerous credit card offers? I hate spam!

I’ve asked this question before, who sends these emails. The answer as per first premier bank says, “One of our marketing partners.” It is secret spy marketing partner that spies on our emails and our surfing the internet and then sends us spam. Ironically, I am flooded with credit card email solicitations because I research credit to expose exploitations-and they keep giving me more content. So really in that regards, I can’t complain.

Also, going back to yesterday’s blog in regards to our consumer based economy and over 40% of population is in the financial services industry, I had to stop and think of all the people who were getting paid money to send these solicitations and spam. Someone was paid to write the advertisement copy. Someone was paid to design the graphics of the email and most certainly someone was paid to enter a data base of email lists to send to potential consumers. Could we not think of anything better to do with our recourses and money then create credit card email spam?

But some of these spammers were kind enough to leave a calling card-one was Netspend. Surprising this company has won awards for selling credit. Huh, didn’t know they gave awards to selling credit cards? They can’t be that great, or else they wouldn’t be spamming me.

Then there was Impulse marketing group, in which you can read hear the law suit filed against them for unlawful credit practice. This just proved my point; depraved people only out to make money of the misfortunate are soliciting credit cards. I didn’t have to do much research to learn that.

So here’s my question, anyone with any common sense has realized credit card spending needs to be done so with much more responsibility, so why are they flooding my email for offers? Back to my point in yesterday’s blog that the majority of industry is the financial services industry. Of course there are thousands of “financial entrepreneurs” wanting to make a profit off Americans looking for lower interest rates, rewards, blah, blah, blah. There is a fear now that the government placed regulation of creditors, now they are selling hard better cards…but here’s the point-they are still selling credit cards. There are still too many people trying to make a buck buy pushing credit.

You see this is the problem, consumers should learn not to be so irresponsible with spending on credit and credit lenders should learn to be more responsible with lending credit. We as a nation and an economy need to get back to the basics, spend what we earn, save for what we want and work to achieve it. They days of fast cash are over-but then I think there are some who still don’t want to accept and what to make their fortune at the expense of others.

Personally I think we need to stop making selling credit a career. I can’t imagine “credit marketer” is a collegiate degree or even curriculum. It has very little meaning in today’s society and with our nation’s problems today, can’t we do anything more productive. People know where to go to get money, the bank or their credit union. They don’t need every Dick or Harry pushing credit through cyberspace. My advice to these credit pushers –Get a real job.

American Economy - It's Magicially Delicious

2009-06-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

In last week’s show, Bill Maher made the comment that over 40% of the American population works in the “Financial Services” business. Think about that, 40% of Americans lending credit and selling stocks. It is a great percentage of people who contribute to our economy by pushing paper. It’s magically delicious. Poof! Money!

This morning I read an article, “U.S. Consumer spending eases, while incomes surge.” The most interesting sentence in the article was, “Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity.” In layman’s term our economy is built on consumer spending, which obviously is down now because of the unemployment rates continue to rise and issues with credit cards. People are now saving and using debit cards to shop. Consumers are being a lot more careful with spending, and for those who advocate against credit card debt-this would be a good thing right? Wrong! It is not a good thing if our economy depends on spending. And before you get too excited, income surges were from the stimulus and tax incentives and Obama’s rise of the unemployment payouts. It is a false promotion of our income surge.

Honestly, for someone who has worked in an industry my entire career, it is frightening to think that our economy is based on consumer spending. Consumer spending, unlike the production of goods and services cannot be controlled. You can control production, you can supervise service, but you simply cannot control or “force” consumers to spend, although at times we were encouraged to do so. It is a ridiculous base for a national economy and they don’t call it “Voodoo” economics for nothing. I would be more relaxed to learn that 70 percent on our economy was based on tourism, rather than our consumer spending.

Sadly, the one industry that provided the United States with products and services is now going bankrupt. GM has filed for bankruptcy and will be closing plants across the nation, thus adding to the already high unemployment rate and will ultimately reduce consumer spending-thrusting our economy even deeper.

While all is said and done, and credit card legislation passed a few weeks ago, ironically more credit card advertisement spam popped up in my email. Really? Who are these fools spamming me with credit card promotions? I would really like to know who these people are. But you see this perfect example of our nation not getting it-we are not learning the lessons. We just ride it out and wait for the dust to clear, and then continue with the same tactics and “Get Rich” schemes thinking that all our problems with magically disappear. Hooray more credit cards! Hooray more debt! Hooray more US deficit! Hooray more corporate exploitation!

When will it sink it-the bubble burst. We can’t go back. We need to rebuild the economy the sensible way based on the production of goods and services. We all (government, corporations and consumers) need to learn the lesson to spend what we earn, not what is afforded to us on credit. And the even sadder part of this blog-it’s not even our economy anymore. We belong to China.

Credit Card Reform - Standing up for the Big Guy

2009-05-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

America, let’s all hold hands and shed a collective tear for the credit card companies. Oh, woe is me! No more charging outrageous interest rates, no more changing billing cycles without notification, and now you have to send out account statements twenty one days instead of fourteen days in advance. Boo-hoo! Can someone pah-lease pass the tissues.

Really, come on-any person with (and I’m not going to say common sense) but with any sense of human decency would realize that charging more the 15% interest is consumer exploitation. Changing billing cycles without notification is just freaking sneaky and the twisted, double talking jargon of the fine print is difficult for economists to understand. Look, it’s going to harm no one for these credit card companies to make the fine print easier to understand. My bigger question is this, why do many in this nation want to stand up and defend the big guys. When did standing up for the little guy and the misfortunate become a bad thing?

Bill Maher said it best when he compared the love of money to religion, and for me these corporations are like God in the eyes of many-they are Omni-potent and Omni-powerful. We bow down to the CEO’s and beg for mercy for our decrepit, debtor souls. Have we not learned anything from AIG? These corporate Gods are not kind gods; they are the wrathful, greedy gods-who needs them!

So why do many fret to regulate corporate exploitation of consumers? One, I believe many people aspire to the wealth and power of these CEO’s, or they have a form of Stockholm Syndrome-identifying with your abuser. You know it’s kind of like taking the side of the bully on the playground so you, yourself won’t get beat up. I think mostly people are more concerned with their own well being. “I was good with my credit, what will happen to me? Will I still be able to get my rewards? Will I have to pay a higher fees and interest rates?”

Here’s the bottom line-if these credit card companies are in the practice of stealing from Peter to pay Paul, who do you blame-Paul? Why not blame the stealer-the credit card companies? Look, if a credit card company raises the fees and reduces rewards because they cannot charge another person 24% interest rate, then shame on the credit card company. That is bad business and bad customer service. Credit card customer service-that will be another blog.

I agree with many, the consumers with debt are responsible for their debt. No one is speaking otherwise. The point is merely this; do not exploit those with debt by making it impossible to pay down with a high interest rate. I shed no tears for the credit card companies-they bought it one themselves just like the people who overspent on credit.

Evolving American

2009-05-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

This blog has nothing really to do with credit cards, money or the economy. It’s more a concern I have for what is happening in our country and what is happening is change. Yes, folks we are changing, our society is changing our nation is changing-the world is changing. Many are clinging onto old ways with white knuckle fists and I believe are threatening the very peace of our nations. We need not fear the Taliban, or the North Koreans-we need to fear ourselves, because that is who is creating the most danger.

Whether you believe in Darwin’s theories, evolution is a natural part of life. We not only evolve physically from children, teens to adults we evolve emotional, mentally and yes even spiritually. And as individuals evolve so do nations and so does the world. History tells us that holding onto old world notion lose every time to progress. One such notion was the world was flat, yet as we are well aware of today, it is not. Rome was once thought to be undefeatable, only for them to crumble in their own decadence. We need not ask too many questions, because our ancestors have already found the answers; if only we listen.

Today, our country is experiencing change. Notably it is our economy. Simply our economic ways of the past failed, and have to be changed for the future. Regulations needed to be placed on corporations and credit issuers to protect consumers. Our climate is changing (whether some want to believe it is from cow farts, or not), this will have a huge effect on our food supply and these are just the start of the changes.

Why, if our climate is changing and our economy faltering, would people be afraid of change? Why condemn and criticize others for boldly stepping toward the future with new and innovative ideas that would benefit all? Why even challenge?

The answer is fear and self preservation. What will happen to me in this change? What will be my place in this new world? And for some, will I lose power and money in this new world? Will my ideas lose credibility with science and innovation? Will everything I believe in be shattered with new information-quite possibly? Should we provoke hostility and prevent peace simply for new ideas and other opinions we don’t understand or disagree?

As we watch our youth evolve into adults and Spring evolve into Summer, perhaps it is a time we contemplate our own evolution.

Hypocrisy of Consumerism

2009-05-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

There is absolutely no doubt there has been rampant consumerism which has caused many to go into credit card debt. It is a problem, yes indeed! But we also have to admit that blatant hypocrisy exists in regards to corporations and consumerism. Based on our capitalistic-free market economy, it is consumerism that churns our economy. We are not only encouraged to spend; our government has given us tax credits to spend more and more. And not only are we encouraged to spend, the government had in the past told us not to save. Don’t pad your savings accounts with tax incentives-spend! We need to spend to jumpstart the economy. This has been the message to the American people for decades. But really, who does this economic theory benefit, you got it-Corporations! Hooray!

Still many want to condemn and criticize the American consumer, while corporations who spend lavish amounts of money on advertising and promotions get a free ride. Who is telling these corporations there is the need for responsibility and accountability? Perhaps corporations too should be more frugal. You see, here is the vicious cycle-corporations spend money to encourage us to spend money so they can make more money and give bonuses to their employees. Many Americans buy these products whether they can afford them or not and go into debt at the mercy of the credit corporations who in turn make more money off consumers. It is vicious and does no good for our overall economy.

So when we blame the American Public for consumerism and debt, isn’t that just a factor of a capitalistic, free market economy? If we saved and spent only what we could afford, would corporations make as much money? Would credit card companies even be in business? No, not if we spent what we earned. And what about all those entrepreneurs and future business leaders of tomorrow, can they hope to achieve their American Dream of becoming millionaires if the public didn’t buy into their consumer products? Heck no!

People have been complaining up and down about credit reform and what it will do to our economy and the credit industry, but it is the same people who blame consumers for doing what they are told to keep spending and keep these very companies rich and powerful.

If we believe in a fiscally responsible economy, then we cannot be narrow minded and blame one side or the other, because both corporations and consumers have been irresponsible. If we want a responsible, strong economy then we must have to learn that we cannot have everything we desire. We have to learn that we will have to earn and achieve our goals. Corporations simply cannot run over consumers in order to make billions, and consumers have to be responsible.

As Bill Maher has said on numerous occasions, “Can’t we just be happy with what we have? Why do we keeping wanting more?” I think that comment says tons about our society. We can’t be happy. We’re not happy when we need to keep filling ourselves with money and consumer goods to fill our hearts and minds. Remember the good old days when all we needed was love…., now we need love and all its material accessories.

The Value of Credit Reform

2009-05-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

You’d think with all my carrying on about credit card reform, I would have thrown a party, or danced a little jig on Friday afternoon when President Obama signed Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act, but I was too busy commiserating friends who were laid off this past week. 500 people were laid off from Nike WHQ here in Portland, so with every good news, there is bad. It’s just proof that we have still a long way to go before our economy is truly recovered.

As happy as I am about this legislation, this past week I still had to bear abuse from the false claim of a debt collector; a smart a*** debt collector who recited me another woman’s social security number and accused me of being a liar in my own home. I still believe FICO is a ridiculous system that needs to be overhauled. Number one, there is no reason consumers should not have free access to their credit scores at all time, any time, while any credit merchant can look at our payment history freely. I do think the credit reporting is a little unfair and is to at creditor discretion. Honestly folks, we should have access and control over our own credit reports-heck they don’t even get out medical information to friends and part of our family, but any Dick can look at our credit report.

I recently read an article written in the Idaho Statesman, blaming consumerism for the problems with credit cards. Although the author of the article was leaning toward the side of credit issuers, and I was poised to debate his perspective, I was comforted several people already did make my point so I moved on. But after the bill is signed and reform underway, I do believe a point needs to be made of our values. There are so many connections to be made, but materialism and superficiality is a problem in which we as a culture need to address, and with this problem it doesn’t matter whether you are a Democrat, or Republican; materialism and superficiality do not discriminate with race, religion or sexual orientation. Materialism and superficiality is a problem we all face.

Many talk of American values; but few are able to define what these values are. A value we seem to have is, wanting what we want, when we want it without any consequences or care to the cost or what it does to another. We have lost value in the heart and soul and all that is true, that is of course if the value doesn’t apply to our personal values. What we value more than anything is money and we don’t care if we abuse and step on others in order to get it.

But then again, we are an economy built on consumerism, it is spending money and more money that we have been told that drives our economy-now we are being blamed for spending too much. Where do we as a nation find that economic balance; our government, corporations, or are we the American consumer responsible for finding the spending balance? Hmm, curious point that needs more thought…

2009-05-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the great opportunity of being a part of a radio show with students from Cleveland High School here in Portland. The topic of conversation was bullies, from school yard bullies to now anonymous internet bullying. All of it bears great consequences to teen psyches, but does the threat of bullying ever go away?

Ironically, right before I left to do the interview, I received a call from a debt collector, verbally harassing me for a debt that wasn’t even mine. He went as far as calling me a liar. I was lying about my own identity and innocence. Look, even in the highest laws of the land, we are innocent until proven guilty, but not in regards debt collecting. They see it the other way around. What proof did this guy have of my debt, my name and my telephone number given to him by some chick’s ex-husband? Hum, let’s see; the dude probably was covering for his ex-wife giving debt collectors a phony number, or the guy assumed I was her. Other than that, the debt collector had nothing, but that did not stop him from verbally harassing me in the privacy of my own home.

In giving thought to this subject, high school, internet and adult bullying I have come to a conclusion that we are a society that preys on the victim; somehow we rationalize the victim deserves what they get. A teenage victim of bullying may be overweight, shy, awkward or even just different. Does that mean they deserved to be bullied? What about the victim of rape? Did she deserve it because she may have dressed provocatively? What about the gay man? Did he deserve to be beaten up because he was different? What about the Arab detainees? Do they deserve to be tortured because we fear their differences? And what about the debtor, do they deserve verbal abuse, harassed and threatened of house and home for a debt a collector cannot sometimes prove?

Taking in consideration our former administration’s mission to torture, they tortured prisoners hoping to give our government rationalization for a war they started without just cause. They wanted to offer proof to the American public by torturing false confessions. This is exactly the tactic used by many debt collectors. In most recent attempts with myself and friends, a debt collector used an abusive tactic to collect money, whether verbal accusations, jury summons, threats to garnish wages and in some cases jail time. They used threatening tactics in order to get us to pay. They believe, the ends justify the means, and if they have to verbally abuse and attack, then so be it.

In several of these occasions, no money was due, the debt was either settle years ago, or they just have inaccurate information. But you see debt collectors don’t really care if you owe money, all they care about is if you pay. They don’t care if the right person pays the money due, as long as they get the money, and they get paid for collecting. It is merely resorting to scare tactics, cheap threats and bullying to extort money from innocent people-this to me is criminal and should be a crime.

Although it is not a crime, these abusive tactics are illegal and many Americans may be due compensation for unlawful harassment. If you feel, you have been harassed by a debt collector, whether or not you owed money. Please refer to the following information-888 FDCPA LAW (888-332-7252) TOLL FREE, www.FairDebtForConsumers.com, www.AttorneysForConsumers.com. You may find out you have a claim and the debt collector might have to pay you! Stand up for yourself and those around you. Let’s say no to bullies.

Mr. Debt Collector - You'll be hearing from my lawyer

2009-05-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

Although I am not official a victim of identity theft, a woman’s ex husband is giving my phone number to debt collectors. Unfortunately I share the same name as a woman with severely bad debt. Fortunately, my social security number has not been used.

Today wasn’t the first time I received a phone call from a debt collector looking for this other woman. And it wasn’t the first time a debt collector repeated another woman’s social security number to me. Think about it folks – Debt Collectors are wrongly giving out people’s social security numbers. We worry about identity theft, but we never think people in the credit and collecting industry would be GIVING away our information.

Today however is the first time when I told Mr. Debt Collector from Advanced Financial Solutions (7600 Wayzata Blvd Minneapolis, MN 55426, (763) 432-2461-since they can give out another woman’s social security so freely, I feel I can give their phone number) harassed me and tried to bully me when I told them they had the wrong person-seriously!

First off, I told the man (I am being kind calling him a man) this was not my debt, he has the wrong person. “NO I DON’T” he scolded bluntly. I asked for the debt information and partial social. Once he gave it to me, I confirmed once again. That is not me. “YES IT IS!” he demanded, “Your ex-husband, Joe Schmoe gave us this number.” I responded. “That is not my ex-husband.” “YES IT IS!” I asked to talk to his supervisor and he arrogantly told me, “He was the owner!” Congratulations.

So here it is where it gets laughable. You’d think I know my ex-husband. You’d think I know my own social security number when I heard it. Did this guy think I’d cave under his intense harassment and admit to the debt and pay? Yes, that is exactly what he thought. He continued by scolding me, “You can’t run away from you debt forever.” Well, dude, seriously it is not my debt. You are wrong. He could not admit he was wrong. He was.

I told the “man” that I will be contacting my lawyer for harassment and he arrogantly invited me to do so. I did. The nice people at the fair credit reporting act. Lesson to all-regardless of debt, people should not be subjected to harassment and be bullied into paying money you MAY not even owe. This is bullying and scare tactics.

Well this ding dong at Advanced Financial Solutions found himself in doggy doo-doo for being an arrogant SOB and not listening to an innocent person….More on this when I have the mind to write more eloquently.

Politics of Credit Card Reform

2009-05-18T07:44:00.001-07:00

You got it! The welfare of American consumers is political, which surprises me greatly when both political parties pledge platforms to help the average American. But what is even more surprising is when one of the parties actually steps into help Americans, the other party finds great fault. Direct from the Business and Media Institute (guess what side of the credit card reform battle they’re on.) Author Jim Poor, yes-Jim Poor takes a sarcastic swing at credit card consumers and President Obama. Jim Poor; is that like calling a fat man Tiny? I can only assume that since Mr. Poor is on the side of creditors he must value wealth. The irony is just very incredibly juicy.

Mr. Poor finishes his article with this blurb, “But that begs the question – if Obama is going to save us all, why even bother thinking.” Well, heck Jim I have been THINKING for years that credit card companies were scandalously taking advantage of consumers. I honestly do not need anyone one to think for me…and besides the credit card companies are not shy about their exploitation. It says so in their fine print-“At Our Discretion.”

Let me get down the nitty gritty of the political fold here. If President Bush and the Republicans have taken the side of credit consumers they would have been brandished heroes. Wasn’t it McCain and Palin who solicited the help of Joe the Plumber to give voice to the average American, but this is the party denying average Americans rights? Isn’t this the party that gave tax breaks to the wealthiest elite while taking heavier on the poor? Isn’t this the party who loosened regulation on the food industry that has been poisoning our children? Isn’t this the party that gave government contracts to their corporate buddies (KBR) that are killing our soldiers? That doesn’t sound like they truly support average Americans. Instead they spent most their time ruining our economy, giving power to corporations that exploit consumers, oh yeah and they tortured. Perhaps it is a good thing President Bush and Republicans didn’t not take up credit card reform who knows what they may have done to debtors. The hypocrisy here smells extremely foul.

The political fray from this is President Obama and many democrats are doing their job in protecting and serving the average American. Wait, what did I just say-our government is standing up for the little guy and not the big corporations like AIG and KBR who not only exploit Americans but kill American soldiers. How can we possibly condemn and criticize our president who is standing up for the rights of all Americans? Unbelievable-it goes to prove the true selfish and greedy hearts of others. What this negativity and criticism is all about is the Republicans trying to save their political hide because they have done nothing for the American people.

Heck Jim, personally I think it is you who should get your head out of your….and do some thinking, because you see America should be run by the people, not the corporations and certainly not by like-minded folks like you.

Credit Card Reform - Getting the Message Out

2009-05-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Remember the good old days, one needed to earn their credit cards. I’ve been around the blogasphere and back and once such comment I read today was a credit card was offered to a horse. Hm, I wonder what interest rate they charged the horse. I guess that depends on what kind of horse, a champion thoroughbred or a plow horse. Obviously of course the plow horse would get the higher interest rate. Ding-a-ling credit card companies why are you wasting time sending a credit card to a horse. They joke of it is, the horse bought a new feeder and supplies to clean out is stall. Yeah, those credit card companies are so very wise and responsible.

In talking with a woman today she and I recalled they days of our parents, when credit wasn’t extended to anyone. It depended on whether you had a job and demonstrated the ability to pay back. Today, you are extended credit and charged a fee not based on whether you are responsible, but how much interest the credit card can charge. You are extended a credit card if you are a baby, a dog, a horse, or even if you passed on to heaven. There are really no restrictions as to who receives a credit card. That is not responsible lending….

Let me make a point here. Our economy is in shambles and it is partly to do with irresponsible creditor lending and irresponsible consumer spending. We as a nation were not really hurting economically when banks lent responsibly. There was no banking crisis or threat of a great depression when our parents did not use credit cards. Back in the good old days when our economy was on sound ground, we spent with cash based on what we earned. If credit card companies are no able to make an obscene amount of money of consumers and lending is restricted-everything will be just peachy. It is just bankers will not be able to get so rich. Oh, poor rich bankers.

But you cannot escape the naysayers of credit reform. Fears and propaganda abound. Creditors will not lend! Consumers will not be able to spend! The sky will fall to the ground! Life as we know it on earth will cease to exist if our government steps in to regulate predatory credit lending practices. The universe will crumble if our government stands up for consumers. No-say it is isn’t so! You will discover that life will offer you priceless opportunities if you pay with cash.

Now for a personal little love note I’d like to extend to my US Senator Jeff Merkley. A big hug and kisses out to you for defending consumer rights. There are more points to this bill and reform other than paying off one’s balance every month, or overspending on credit. It is about credit card companies control over our financial destiny. And for all those who think President Obama is trying to take away your freedom, he has to get your freedom back from banks and credit card companies before he can even try to take away your freedoms. Your freedom and mercy is at the hand of every major corporation in this country-not our government.

These credit card companies can change your interest rates at their discretion. If you are five days late with the electric bill credit card companies can change fees, interest rates and bill cycles. If they feel constipated, having a bad day and need to take it out on someone, then can raise your rates. Yuck! I’m feeling a little bloated. I’ll just up Joe Schmoe’s interest rate. Agh, relief-better then Pepto Bismo. Okay, maybe now I’m exaggerating-but do you get my picture?

Pandering Anti-Credit Card Reform Propaganda

2009-05-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Personally, I don’t like taking this position. I really don’t like criticizing another viewpoint; unless that viewpoint reflects an ill attitude and presents false facts of others. In regards to credit card reform, this is not a personal issue. This is an economic issue to regulate credit card companies. For many who have struggled at the heavy hand of creditors, the issue is intensely personal. But what I don’t understand why it strikes many so personally if you have managed credit cards well. Why get yourself all twisted about something that doesn’t concern you. If you good credit, NOTHING will change for you in the legislation. Yet, many find reasons to place blame and insult. Are people really that mean to insult others in need?

You know, when you title your blog, “Say Anything,” it doesn’t matter if you speak through your mouth or out your a**, because that is exactly what the author the blog has done. Mister Say Anything’s point is President Obama is pressuring “us” into discriminatory lending laws. So you can guess what Mister Say Anything does-he is in the credit and lending business and thus will lose money if having to curb his exploitative lending practices. He will “say anything” to make more money of the American people so he can live a rich and greedy life.

In his blog (and I apologize for assuming a man) he just doesn’t make any rational sense. How is curbing the changing billing cycles, and inflated interest rates going to make people go deeper in debt? How the heck is that possible? Mister Say Anything please explain. And yes, I can see how stopping the marketing to minors be a terrible thing. Garsh darn that Obama, standing up for our minors. Just who does he think he is? What a ridiculous argument. And one last thing, Obama is so not scared of losing power. He has a 68% approval rating. And what approval rating does the Republican’s have-right 21%. Get real, Dude!

Many who want to criticize credit card legislation offer many fine examples or most of the time place the blame on the victim, you know like the person who randomly went out and bought a top of the line stereo on a credit card for $4,000. Okay-that happens, but that is not the true picture. I hold a credit card balance and I don’t even have a stereo.

Other’s I have noticed like to boast themselves with false pride. “I pay my credit card bill of every month.” Well, goody-two shoes for you. This judgment on fellow Americans is harmful to the country. Many who place such ignorant judgment do not know why someone went into debt. Perhaps it was a medical problem, car or home repairs. If you do not know a person, it is ignorant to judge.

These people want to rely on blaming the victim; you know like Bill O’Reilly blames a rape victim because she dressed seductively, or maybe it is as simple to blame the nerd for being beat up after school because he wore a pocket protector. Yeah, he was asking for it. Look people, the argument of being a victim is not a suitable excuse for being exploited. Hey, just because you carry a balance on your credit card does not give license to corporations to exploit with “At their discretion” polices. That is the bottom line. It is called fairness and equality. It is what our nation stands for.

Good people and Good Americans want what is best for all. If someone struggles, it is for us to stand up for each other. Curbing the credit card companies and placing much needed regulation on them is good for our country and good for our economy. It will make corporations and consumers alike more responsible.

Rush Limbaugh vows to re-educate America

2009-05-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Wow! I’m having a hard time controlling my laughter for wasn’t it Republican congress woman Michelle Bachmann warned of President Obama’s “Re-education camps.” Well, I’m confused-Who’s re-educating who? Republicans warn President Obama is trying to “re-educate” us, but then huh Rush Limbaugh said he needs to teach the American people. Really? Can you smell the hypocrisy? I can and it smells like barbecue. Franks and Beans!

Conservative promoters seem to have a one track theory on education or re-education and as far as I know it is not based on science. Conservatives don’t believe in science. I cannot imagine conservative re-educating us with grammar since Fox News headlines are usually misspelled or demonstrate poor grammar. So then perhaps they will teach us geography. No, that can’t be. The Taliban was in Afghanistan not Iraq. Republicans got that wrong. They can’t teach us economics, because our economy crumbled under the Republican’s watch. And I would certainly don’t expect them to teach us civics. What then? What intellectual platform does the conservative party and Rush Limbaugh stand on that they seem imperative to “inform” us.

I can only imagine they need to re-educate us heathen Americans about “traditional moral values.” Oh like, do onto others as you expect done to you, or thou shalt not judge. Those are moral values. Or how about this one inspired by Rush? Thou shalt not consider yourself an idol. A moral value is humility. Perhaps Rush needs some re-educating of his own.

Or should we be honoring our nation’s doctrine-All men are created equal. This country was founded on freedom and founded by those seeking religious freedom; the Pilgrims, the Quakers. We simply cannot be a free nation when we are judged for not living the life of another. That’s not freedom and it is not the American way.

I would like to give Senator Eric Cantor credit for wanting to talk and gee, golly, whiz-listen to the American people. I believe if Senator Cantor grows a spine he can be a leader for the Republican party. But after being threatened by Limbaugh, Cantor turned tail and ran. Instead of a “Listening tour, now they are an “Information Tour.” Yes, the republicans and Rush Limbaugh are going to “teach” us.

Senator Cantor, I personally applaud you for standing up and trying to make a positive change in your party through positive and thoughtful gestures. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

"The Man" and Corporate Power

2009-05-06T17:13:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple years I have heard many promoting deregulating corporations and privatizing many government industries. Don’t get involved in their business-Big Business is the answer to all America’s problems. Many making these arguments make the claim there is too much government-cut government and get them out of the way of the corporations. Let corporations run the country and our lives will be better!

Fox news rallied many people to protest the government and President Obama for “taxing and spending.” Fox goes for our emotions; challenges our fears until there is nothing left but to raise signs in protest and throw tea bags. CNN dazzled us with dizzying light shows. We watch like a cat watching a string-ooh cool flickering lights.

I’m going to break this down –

· Recently many banks have run this economy in the ground and now we, the American people are paying for it.
· Food companies; self regulated gave themselves good grades for the FDA and many people have gotten sick and died from tainted foods. All of this so food companies can make a greater profit.
· Our government gave billions of dollars of bail out money at taxpayer expense and then we were appalled by the outrageous bonuses from many of these same companies. Yesterday, I learned AIG lied about the bonus, they were 4 times then what originally reported.
· During this recession and high unemployment, Credit Card Companies started jerking with good paying customer’s accounts; raising interests and billing cycles. This was going for a long time, but now people are standing up for their consumer rights.
· Recently President Obama has taken on many of these corporations (Bank of America) have off shore accounts, offices and evade US taxes; not to mention giving away jobs to foreigners. Just imagine-KBR (A company with a US military contract accused of electrocuting soldiers pays NO taxes, yet the average American plays about %25 of their national income. Think about it-A company killing US soldiers pays NO taxes.
· We learned that many of these companies spent a lot of money on lining the pockets of our politicians. Visa spent $1.7 million dollars in lobbying last year and not surprising many of these companies pay money to political campaigns. Corporations giving money to politician spells corruption.

We, the American people are paying taxes to our government to get behind corporations who evade taxes. Instead of consumerism, these corporations should just take the money from our pockets.

So here is the question I ask fellow Americans. Are we okay allowing big business and corporations to run our government and run all over us? Do we want to drop our drawers and bend over for these corporations? It is President Obama and the Democrats standing up for consumer rights. Why protest. Shouldn’t we stand behind those standing up for us? Remember, it is the republicans standing up for the corporations.

Spankin' from Government and Corporations

2009-05-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

“The banks — hard to believe in a time when we’re facing a banking crisis that many of the banks created — are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill,” Senator Durbin quoted. “They frankly own the place.”

Reading such quote I cannot image how anyone can criticize credit card reform-a US Senator acknowledging banking and credit card companies own our government. Wow! For those who criticize, it is like criticizing a pledge that was whacked in the butt with a fraternity brother’s paddle. He was asking for it, the claim. That’s right; don’t blame the fraternity brother for taking a swing.

The facts are clear. There is no doubt about the consumer exploitation of some of these credit card companies and frankly I cannot understand people who can’t see it, or don’t want to see it. I’m not sure how others deem themselves smarter than some of the brightest leaders in this country. Some of these critics I dare say have rarely cracked open a book or read the newspaper. This is the twenty first century.

But the point is, still today the Federal Reserve rejected a request for credit card companies to immediately halt rate increases on existing balances. Really? What a surprise? Of course not. The Federal Reserve is going to protect those who scratch their backs-the credit card corporations. But who is standing up for the consumer?

Look, here is the bottom line. Our economy was fine back in days of our parents and grandparents before credit card companies took a strangle hold on the average American lives. For all those of “traditional values” they should be happy if consumers go back to save and spend, instead of incessant spending on credit cards. Correct? Let’s go back to the traditional value of spending what we earn, not based on easy given credit.

Okay, so credit card companies will no longer make an obscene amount of money on consumers. And yes, they may become stricter on extending credit. Now to all those critics is this bad thing? Gee, people who are high risk will not get credit and they will have to earn it. Is it a bad thing if our nation as a whole becomes a nation of responsible spending? Would be a bad thing to escape rapid consumerism? How can you criticize that?

Personally, I feel some people just need to complain about those who are not on their side of the political line. It doesn’t matter what is said, or if it makes sense. And I just think that’s sad. We, the American people need to stand up for each other instead of bending over for a corporation’s paddle.

Obama Takes on Corporate Tax Evasion

2009-05-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

It was last week, when watching the news it was mentioned how the corporations run our country and our politicians. Just think- we elect politicians to work for the corporations. Ah, just makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. This is so widely evident that it is hardly news. But how do we stop it?

President Obama is trying by creating a new law; corporations cannot defer taxes and hide assets in foreign banks. He estimated this country could gain $210 Billion dollars if corporations properly paid their taxes. And by 2010, corporate taxes could contribute 1.2 Trillion dollars toward the deficit. You see, we complain about our deficit, yet the corporations are not paying their share.

The American people have to pay taxes what about corporations. See here, many protested tax day with tea parties, but really who they should be protesting is the big businesses who are evading taxes and the politicians who allow them to do it.

But of course there are those who reject President Obama’s plan to hold American corporations accountable for their taxes. Who are these people defending corporate tax evasion? Well, yes you guess it-Republicans. Republicans who have claimed to be for the Average Joe defends the corporation and their tax evasions. These Republicans also support Corporations sending jobs overseas. The reason-Corporations will lose money not paying any taxes and hiring American workers.

So today, with a high percentage of unemployed American’s who pay taxes, Corporations are evading taxes and hiring foreigners and Republicans support this….Hm? But what’s the bottom line-money and corporate lobbying. Yes, these corporations pay a pretty penny to our politicians so they do not need to pay taxes.

I have an idea-instead of spending so much money on lobbying politicians so not to pay taxes. How about PAY YOUR TAXES! And since us our politicians won’t hold corporations accountable, perhaps the American people should. Next time you want to a dunk a tea back-think a corporation who doesn’t pay taxes and hires foreign labor.

Corporation Killing American Soldiers in Iraq

2009-05-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

Electrical company KBR, who has the electrical contract for the Iraq war and less surprising a former subsidiary of Dick Chaney’s company Halliburton had been charged with electrocuting an American soldier while taking a shower and has been investigated for negligent homicide for substandard and faulty electrical systems. Unless something is done, more soldiers will be killed.

This for some this is the benefit of free market capitalism. The idea if we privatize companies it will enhance competition and provide better rates to customers. First question, what about better quality? I’m not sure of the details of the KBR military contract; all I know is much of the work is faulty and substandard. Don’t our American soldiers in Iraq deserve the highest quality electrical service? They have enough to worry about they don’t need to worry about being electrocuted in the shower.

My question is in any with any corporation, being electrical, food, credit; who regulates these companies? Many claim there should be no regulation because that will jack up prices and restrict these good American companies. KBR is killing soldiers. Food companies who regulate themselves are killing children with tainted food and the credit corporations-most know how I feel about them. Who is protecting us from unregulated companies who make a profit from killing Americans?

Most disturbing is KBR’s refusal to take responsibility. The family of the most recent victim is suing KBR, but KBR is appealing because this is not a civil manner and the case should be presided over a military court, but then being KBR is a private company they are not under military law. So KBR is shrugging off any responsibly for this death. KBR’s only care is profit and they don’t care about our soldiers.

Many fight on the side of corporations. Hooray! But as we mourn every soldier who loses his life fighting for our country, shouldn’t it be a crime for an American corporation to claim a life of one of our finest men? One person made mention to me corporations owes nothing to consumers (It is not in the definition of consumers). They make this argument with credit card companies. Hey, they can get away with gauging consumers. American consumers are asking for it and it companies right to make a profit. Is it then right for a corporation to provide substandard electricity to our soldiers and then take no responsibility for their deaths?

What is not only ironic, but laughable is Dick Cheney’s continued propaganda to protect America. Who is protecting us and the soldiers from Dick Cheney? If Dick Cheney wants to speak for American and American soldiers then we need to release KBR of their military contract.

Credit Reform - Message to Critics

2009-05-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Anyone who criticizes the new credit card legislation is either greedy, self-centered or needs to back to school. Anyone who has experienced the gauging and ruthless behavior of creditors knows what this bill is about. It is not about relinquishing debts, it is about fair practices. Charging 24% interest on debt is not fair. Changing billing cycles to make profit is not fair. Targeting college kids who don’t have jobs or an income to support credit cards is unjust. I don’t care how you want to twist it to suit personal agendas the bottom line is it not fair.

The point is Credit Unions have successful business charging on 9% on credit cards. Why should Capital One charge 24%? The point is, at creditor discretion they can raise your limit to $10,000 without your permission, you need it, or use it and then turn around and at their discretion without they can reduce it to $8,000 leaving people stranded. The point is, no matter if you read the fine print, the creditors at their discretion can change your terms without notification. So those who criticize people for not reading the fine print, it doesn’t matter if we do, because it can change. And if states had power over creditors, well the state’s legislation is not working.

For the first time in years, our government is doing something to actually protect the average American consumer and perhaps they are protecting us from ourselves. That is the government’s job to protect us from Terrorists, Swine Flu, corporations or even ourselves. For the first time in years the government is doing something that is not in the benefit of big business. I cannot believe people are complaining about our government helping the Average person. Perhaps our government has been asleep at the wheel for so long we don’t what it is like when it actually starts working for all Americans not just a few. Funny, Fox and its fans loved America when our government sponsored the rich and ignored average Americans. Now they hate America and fellow Americans when our government helps the average American. Hm, that is indeed very interesting.

The irony is we complained and moaned about AIG and other big corporations that turned this economy upside down and accept large bail outs and when the government steps in to do something for the consumer…we b****, moan and cry socialism when most people have no idea what socialism is. There is absolute no injustice in this bill and no accounts it will hurt the credit industry and the economy. All it will do is make both corporations and consumers more responsible. And if your credit card stops lending, check out your local credit union.

Capital One - Survival Guide

2009-04-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is my deviant mind that finds something a bit wrong with Capital One’s card lab commercial with shipwreck survivals-you know, the one where they one guy logs onto the internet, designs a credit card with a hamburger instead of calling for help for the rest of the survivors.

I’m not quite sure where Capital One was going for with this commercial and I can only imagine they thought it was cute. With a near 9% nationwide unemployment rate and thought to go higher while people are surviving this credit crisis Capital One wants to distract us with meat. Not to mention many are surviving and worrying how to put food on the table for their families. Point taken, Capital One credit cards are more important than people’s survival. To me this says Capital One doesn’t care if we are having difficulty surviving, putting food on the table, as long as we use one of their cards.

Now perhaps I am being too strong here, but since credit crisis Capital One jacked up interest rates on many consumers. I, with the help of Easy Financial Solutions called to talk to Capital One about my high interest rate. After being passed around for a half an hour they said my interest rate would be lowered on my next bill due to my good payment performance. Guess what, they lied. My interest rate was not lowered. What a surprise. And guess what-I transferred my entire Capital One balance to another card with a zero percent interest rate. Take that for survival Capital One!

Here’s the thing with Capital One. You can’t raise interest rates because your business is suffering, especially when you received a government bailout. You can’t change billing cycles for profit. You can’t claim credit reform will hurt business when you spend so much money on commercials. My credit union charges 9% interest rate and they have no high overhead for a big marketing budget. They pass on their savings to their customers. And you can’t lie to a customer and then have the nerve to put out a commercial say you care. It’s deceptive.

Capital One says – Consumers eat cake! On in this case, eat a hamburger

Credit Reform - Why Important

2009-04-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

I’m not sure why this issue seems to be swept under the carpet and discarded. Many have expressed outraged; being stranded without credit, credit limit cuts and interest rates raised and people have committed suicide with overwhelming debt. Why more people are not behind this issue is beyond me.

The reason I am drawn to this issue is not because I have debt and I want to avoid any responsibility. It is because I want to live my life free of Credit Corporation’s mighty thumb. I don’t like being exploited and I don’t like being taken advantage of. If I have debt, please allow me the opportunity to pay down with reasonable rates. There are many who don’t want more government control, well I certainly not want corporate control. I do not want to be at the mercy of a greedy corporate CEO. There is no one to blame for the credit card “crisis” but the credit card companies. They pushed financial responsibility to the limits (pun intended).

But this is an easy issue to gloss over by offering ways to overcome debt, or consolidate debt. Many look to the future to teach about credit cards and debt and many just live in scorn and judgment of those who found themselves in debt. Just because many have found ways to live within the exploitation does not mean it is right. Just because many are able to manage debt, does not mean the system works and is fair. Just because it isn’t dramatic, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the fight.

Others fear if legislation passes credit issuers will become more stringent with lending. Wow, imagine having to earn credit. I don’t see how many could argue, especially those who criticize consumer overspending. Creditor responsibility will lead to consumer responsibility and isn’t responsibility and accountably what we are striving for? This will take us back to corporate and consumer fiscal responsibility.

Thankfully the credit card reform has some strong supporter. Below is part of an email received from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

In my view, when a credit card company charges 25 or 30 percent interest rates, they are not engaged in the business of "making credit available" to their customers. They are involved in extortion and loan-sharking. This is especially true at a time when the taxpayers of this country have provided many hundreds of billions of dollars to bail out Wall Street, and when the Federal Reserve is providing them with near zero percent interest loans.

The good news is that President Obama and Congress are beginning to address the issue of credit card rip-offs. The bad news is that, at this point, they are not prepared to go as far as they should in this area. While moving forward on credit card "disclosure" and "transparency" is very important, what is more important is that we pass a national usury law and place a cap on interest rates.

To me this should be one of the easiest bills to vote yes. What kind of person would honestly deny consumer rights? One would be surprised. Many of these banks that have received bail out money are using that very money to lobby congressmen. This issue is about keeping corporations and some people very rich at the expense of the average American consumer. Here is what is holding up this issue in congress-greed. It is corporate greedy CEO’s padding the pockets of congressmen. As Americans, do we feel this is acceptable or should we send a message to our government not support politicians who are bought out by corporations.

What this issue means is making sure the government works for the people and not corporations. We may not be able to lobby with large sums of money, but we do have the power to elect them and not elect them to office. We need to make sure the politicians know that we have a voice and we are watching for government accountability.

But mostly for me, credit card reform brings the financial power to the average American. We will not be at the mercy of a corporation and with that perhaps the American dream will be back in reach for many.

Defenders of Credit Issuers

2009-04-27T17:21:00.001-07:00

Everything being said about the practices of credit card companies, it surprises me how some people still defend credit card issuers, but there are many harsh (dare I say ignorant) comments being said about consumers in debt. Look, I don’t care how anal you have been with your credit cards-people including college students are being exploited. Why be angered and outraged for fair consumer rights? What kind of person does not want to stand up for the rights of the average American? It just doesn’t make any sense and these people who fervently defend credit card companies sound selfish.

Now perhaps many of these people lashing out like a woman scorned to those of us campaigning for consumer rights is because they work in the credit industry, or have made money off credit cards. If you know how to work the system-I get it. You want to make more money. But most people don’t want to spend their lives playing with money and reading mind numbing contracts that don’t make any sense.

Why the anger and why the hostility? Yes, it would probably make getting credit harder. Hooray! That would make people more responsible with their money. What a novel idea, having to earn your credit card. Perhaps this will encourage companies to lend responsibly and consumers more responsible with spending.

Look, it doesn’t matter that you personally play by the rules, if the rules are flawed and unfair….the rules are flawed and unfair. You can’t blame others for not wanting to play by unfair rules and regulations. What these people who go to great lengths to defend credit card companies don’t understand is the rules and regulations are unfair-period. This is like playing poker knowing the deck is marked. You’re a good player, so you don’t care the deck is marked, but others may not want to play with those who cheat. Get it?

I understand that consumer spending is down and people are not using credit cards. I understand this is negatively affecting the credit card industry and the economy. Perhaps these companies could save by not spending 1.7 million dollars on lobbying, creating expensive ad and CEO’s just don’t have to be so stinking rich.

Many want to blame consumers for over spending and materialism, but what about the greedy CEO’s who run these corporations and try to squeeze pennies from Americans. How can you call consumers greedy, when CEO’s are getting richer and richer? All we are asking is to level out the playing field.

I'm Maxed Out

2009-04-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

There wasn’t much to do yesterday on a rainy Sunday expect watch television and even though I have cable there was nothing worth watching except documentaries. I woke up yesterday and learned of a global health crisis and potential pandemic. Later in the afternoon I learned American teenagers are kidnapped from their homes and sold into sex slavery-not to mention they post porn sites of these girls on Craigslist. Around dinner time I caught the tail end of a documentary about the polar ice caps. Research tells us they could be melted by 2013 (in 4 years). In the evening when I needed some lighter news, I watched an amazing documentary on the Credit Card industry-Maxed out. Afterward I turned to CNN and watched fisherman mass murder sharks for soup. I was maxed out and it was time for bed.

As I tossed and turned this morning, unemployed and depressed I thought of all the issues I watched yesterday and I came to one startling conclusion; all these issues at one common denominator –money. I have been told in recent days that money is not bad and I need to have a healthier attitude. And I agree money is not bad. Greed, materialism and selfishness are bad. But you see it is more than just money it is our value. We value our money, our stuff and ourselves more then we value life itself. Many say, don’t watch the news. It is depressing. It is easy to turn our heads away from the problems if they don’t affect us.

People are dying and going bankrupt in our country because they can’t afford health care. Not my problem, many say. I don’t want to pay for someone else’s health care. You don’t care until a loved one gets sick and dies. And then you wish someone was there to help with the health care.

Teenage girls are being sold into prostitution, raped and beaten until nearly dead for our billion dollar porn industry. People are making billions and billions of dollars abusing young children. It’s not my child. Even many police officers are blaming these girls-classifying them as bad. In media personalities like Bill O’Rielly say they had it coming. This is not a major issue and until your child turns up on a missing persons page, porn internet site or the morgue.

The melting of the polar ice caps, many do not want to believe. They worry too much about their cars. We must have oil to fuel our cars. Corporations say they cannot change because it will raise the bills of average consumers. Consumers complain about raising utility costs. Here’s the point, when and if the polar ice caps melt, the earth will heat up making the planet unlivable. At that point your car and the extra nickel you saved in utility bills would be worthless.

Credit card industry is the issue close to my heart. Being a dreamer, I bought into the American dream. Unfortunately I learned the American dream costs a lot of money and even my soul. Many have made a lot of money in the credit card industry, pimping cards to students, collecting debts, consolidating debts, etc. Many college students committed suicide because of debt. Families have gone bankrupt and living in poverty so these corporations can continue to make a mass profit. Check out the movie, Maxed Out! It’s brilliant.

This quote speaks volumes today as many want to turn their head from the problems and pretend they don’t see. The point is we can continue to turn our heads and look in the other direction. It doesn’t affect me. I am healthy and I have health insurance. That doesn’t concern me. My child is safe and a good kid. Environmental talk is BS, plus I need my car to get back forth to work. I am good with my money, why should I concern myself with debtors. I don’t like shark soup.

When a crisis knocks on our front door, will our neighbors help? Will our government we elect come to our aid or the aid of big business for profit? When we need a helping hand, who will give? In the end political and economic ideologies are meaningless. It doesn’t matter if you are a democrat or a republican, a liberal or a conservative, capitalist or socialist, Christian or Muslim. We will all be affected.

Torture Memos - The Verdcit

2009-04-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Anywhere you look today, on the internet or television you will find the debate about the torture memos released by the Obama administration; unless you are CNN, then you will dig your head in the sand because your are fearful of broadcasting anything controversial. It just might hurt your dear little ratings. No matter what side of the ideological fence you ride this is detrimental to our nation.

For decades the United States took the high road in morality and humanity. We have tried and hung, not just those who gave the orders in the Holocaust, but the German soldiers who carried them out. We have proclaimed civil rights violations of China in their treatment of Tibet. We were outraged by Slobodan Milošević and the ethnic cleansing of Bosnia, who was later convicted of war crimes and died in jail. We are sickened by the atrocities at Darfur. Throughout this time, the United States stood true to the principle, Americans don’t torture.

We in this country after a great deal of bloodshed over came slavery, but it was only recently that the Klu Klux Klan and other groups tortured and killed many innocent people. Regardless, the ideology should be the same-Man’s inhumanity to man is wrong. It should not matter the color of a man’s skin, his religion, his sexual orientation-brutality is a crime.

Many have said our country is in economic peril. Should we be spending money, time and effort on looking backward and digging up the past? Even our President did not want to look backward, but move forward. Perhaps, but taking into consideration, our history and moral high standard in the world we must take this subject very seriously. We cannot simply wash this under the table and say we were scared. We were worried of another terrorist attack. Worrying for our freedom, does not mean we have the right to take another man’s freedom away. Fear should not evoke brutality.

The world is watching us very carefully, especially Spain who already has indicated they may press charges on some of the people who wrote the torture memos. American pride and dignity is at stake. Are we a nation of our word? Do we really believe torture is wrong? If we fail to act; we are presenting a disservice to all those who suffered during the holocaust, in Bosnia and Darfur. If we fail to act we are presenting a double standard. If we do not act appropriately we are giving rationality that cruelty is acceptable.

Then the question remains, where do we draw the line at cruelty? Who decides what is acceptable? Is it okay to torture and kill because we are afraid? Is it okay to torture if we disagree with someone else? If we do not act, we are sending a message to the future, that inhumanity can be justified. We need to set the example and stand by our moral standards, torture by no means is acceptable.

The embedded video is Spencer Tracy's verdict in the most oustanding movie, Judgement at Nuremburg. It sends a message to us Americans today....It is very much worth the watch.

Big Obama Brother takes on Credit Bullies

2009-04-23T18:20:00.000-07:00

Big brother takes on a whole new meaning today when the President sat down with the credit card CEO’s. That is of course who you see as “Big brother.”

For years I have been complaining about credit card company practices, despite my own debt I had the nerve to point the finger back to the creditor who never really seemed to want to release me of my debt. I paid off my debt several times and one time over the phone to Capital One. I believe I heard a few sniffles and cries.

I have in my book compared the credit card industry to big brother because they seemed to have their greedy, pointed finger on the pulse of my finances. Heck, I believe the credit card companies had a better handle on my finances then I did. They checked on my payments with other creditors. They checked my status with all my utilities and they somehow knew all the places I shopped. Yikes! I didn’t need to worry about my identity being stolen, the credit card companies were creating my identity-I am a fashionista debtor.

Although many of other ideologies find the government in the role of big brother, I invite the government as my big brother. To me the government is big brother who is there to protect me from bullies. “You wanna mess with the consumer you gotta deal with Big Obama Brother.” Yo bro, yeah, yeah-Capital One they are the ones who have been charging me an outrageous interest rates. They are the ones who are changing the billing cycles. Oh yeah and charging me compound interest! Take care of them Big Brother. Don’t you just love it?

So, what was the outcome? Who knows, because none of the credit card companies had anything to say and no legislation was signed. Perhaps they had trouble speaking due to a proverbial fat lip or black eye. But it is hard for me to feel sorry for the credit card companies. Visa last year spent 1.7 million dollars in lobbying the government. I’m not quite sure how much money Capital One spends on advertising, but I’m sure it is a very pretty penny. Look, consumers don’t want cute commercials; we want fair practices and the ability to pay down the debt without astronomical interest rates.

Stay tuned- one thing for sure, the rules of credit cards and credit card debt will be changing dramatically. Old rules do not apply and apparently the fine print will be getting larger!

Credit Cards - An American Issue

2009-04-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Today I read one of the best blogs on credit cards in the Huffington Post and once again the topic was the credit card companies’ invitation to meet with President Obama. Many believe debtors are responsible for their crimes and should pay the fees of the credit card companies. It was our fault we have debt and we should pay the penalty. The woeful credit card companies are only doing their share to minimize their risk by charging such insane interest rates it makes it impossible to pay down debt.

In the blog, it mentioned the credit card companies’ main offense to the Obama administration will be they provide a service for consumers. Oh, they serviced me alright! They serviced me sideways, backwards and upside down. But in reading many of the comments, people were questioning the actual service they provide? My credit union card offers me the same service at half the interest rate. So why be serviced by Capital One at 18% interest rate, when I can be serviced by PSECU at 9%. What service is Capital One really offering me when I can get the same deals if not better at my credit union? Oh yes! The service they provide is an expensive commercial selling their product using Barbarians as mascots. Yippee! PSECU doesn’t have commercials.

Many may say they offer us sweet rewards. Yeah, but you have to spend money you don’t have on your credit card to receive those rewards and then you will have those nasty critiques complaining about how consumers are irresponsible. Credit card companies are encouraging us to be irresponsible. It is how they make their money.

My comment to the Huffington post was this-this problem goes beyond irresponsible consumers and consumer gauging credit card companies. This is an American cultural issue. We have lost our value(s). We have lost our value of money when we spend without care on a credit card. If credit card companies keep lending with soaring interest rates and we keep overspend spending in debt we are not valuing money or the economy. No wonder our nation is in an economy free fall.

We value money in the sense of materialism. We value money to create a sense of false pride and yes even false identity. We want to pretend and spend like we are rich, even though we have no money. We need to keep up with the Jones’ in order to maintain our identity and standing in the community. Why worry about our identity being stolen, when we have already sold it and prostituted it to be like everyone else on the block. In trying to be like everyone else, we already lost our identity and individuality. John Doe meet John Doe.

You see, worse than the high interest rates, double billing and credit limit discretion, credit card companies exploited our personal identities and created a culture of wanting more then we have and trying to be something we’re not. Only until we value life more than we value things will we be in debt to credit card companies.

Cult of Credit Cards

2009-04-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have written this before, and most likely I will write it again, credit card companies have a monopoly on our financial lives. Thankfully the more article and forum comments I read, I realize I am not alone in my thinking. Many are beginning to see the ridiculous exploitation of credit card companies. And the more people who thankfully voice their opinion the faster we will have credit card regulation.

This blog inspiration comes from the article I read In the Detroit News. “Keep Your Credit Score Safe.” The writer’s main premise is in times of a recession not using your credit card can hurt your credit score. Let me tell you who this hurts-not using your credit card hurts credit card companies, whom the Associated Press must be bunk mates. If you don’t use your credit card, credit card companies lose money, so they are trying to scare us into using their services.

In recession times, your first priority should be your life and feeding your family, not the pockets of rich and greedy credit card company CEO’s. When times are tough, cut your spending, pay the minimum payment and pay on time. There will be plenty of time to pay down debt and work on your score in better times. In bad financial times, one should think of themselves and their families not keeping credit card companies in business.

These articles stating warnings of credit scores and paying down debt are fear tactics to keep the credit corporations in power. It is their form of propaganda and publicity. So this morning I looked up brainwashing…and low and behold credit issuers fit the bill. (Pun not intended) The first sign of brainwashing is isolation and fear. You must have a credit card to survive in this world or you will have a lower credit score. This will hurt your chances of buying a house, getting a job and etc. Credit companies also promote the fear of identity theft. With us, you finances are safe-but you have to pay for their protection.

Phase two in brainwashing is thought control. The means monitoring people’s thoughts is manipulation. At one point threaten, if you don’t pay on time, you’ll be charged a default rate, your credit increase will lower and we may report your performance to the credit bureaus. At the same time, you will see advertisements for living richly, priceless moments and how much their care. If they cared so much for our lives and finances, they wouldn’t charge us ridiculous rates. And let me add repetition-free credit report jingle and there is another commercial that simple states over and over, free credit report. And every time you turn on the internet there is a flashing advertisement warning of credit scores. Brainwashing folks-can’t get any more obvious.

And then finally is conditioning. You are conditioned to act, believe and live by the rules the corporation regulates. You believe have a credit card helps you budget. You believe you are protected and if you don’t you are challenged and ridiculed; all those crazy people who pay with cash and refuse to have a credit card. One becomes so glued to credit cards and all their glories-there hooked. Stockholm syndrome when you identify with your captor. In this case many agree with credit card companies and criticize those outside the system.

Credit cards and spending with credits are not inherently bad. What is bad is they control they have over our lives and financial destinies. These corporations should not have such power and must be regulated. We complain and protest the control over the government, but we bend over and take it constantly from corporations. I don’t get it.

Credit Card Companies Cordially Invited to Washington

2009-04-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

“Yes!” I bellow in a cry of justice. As per the Washington Post, the big 14 Credit Card Companies were cordially invited to Washington DC to discuss federal regulation and credit card legislation. Now, I know some believe the Credit Card Companies to be Gods of the economy and the fault lies in us debtors. Yes to some, carrying credit card debt is a sin and many of us should be condemned to the fiery pits. But shalt I remind ye of the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Judgment of others is so very much an unbecoming human characteristic.

Regardless how good you have been with credit cards in your life, the fact remains Credit Card Companies are ridiculously exploitative and I thank the Obama administration for standing up for the little guy. Curiously in reading the article, not all credit card companies have RSVP to the little soiree. Not surprising, Capital One agreed to be there with bells on their feet, but no doubt flanked by Barbarians. They are of course not only the kiss asses of the credit card industry, but they are often the worst offenders of consumer exploitation. They talk a good game and have kick ass ad campaigns, but when push comes to show, they are ruthless just like the barbarians who promote them.

It was Bank of America and American Express who denied being invited to the party. “Me, heck no.” And Citi Bank declined to comment on the party invitation. You know, it is impolite not to RSVP for a party. This only proves one thing-guilt. Yes, denial means you are guilty if you cannot go and face the Feds. Let me give one suggestion, do not fly to Washington DC in corporate jets or better yet your Superman capes. That might not go over too well.

Honestly, personally I feel a vindicated; ridiculed by “credit experts” for having debt and have the nerve to write a book about the exploits of creditors. I feel vindicated because me like many others; some with worse credit card debt and others with much better all have in some way or another seen the consumer gauging. Look, there is absolutely no reason why someone in debt has to pay 26% interest. There is absolutely no reason to reduce credit limits leaving your costumers stranded. There is absolutely no reason for double billing. Loan sharks don’t charge that much! Loan sharks don’t change the terms and billing cycles. Loan sharks offer better terms of service than credit card companies.

I stand up and applaud the Democratic congress and the Obama administration for bringing back financial accountability and corporate responsibility back to our nation. It starts as I have always said at the top and trickles downward. You can’t expect consumers to be 100% responsible when the corporations have not. These companies and may I reminded you have requested bail out and tarp money, so even a big corporation has been bad with finances. And I thank them for making it possible for many to achieve their financial freedom without having to pay someone else. Thank you!

Time To Protest Corporate Tax Evasion?

2009-04-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Once again, I must thank Keith Olbermann for the inspiration for this blog. After Wednesday anti-tax rallies, Keith Olbermann bought up the point of corporation’s (whom many received bailout) use off shore accounts so they do not have to pay their due taxes, leaving most of the tax burden on the general public. This point was also marked by President Obama in his speech to Georgetown University on 4/14.

(And as a side note, I’d like to address the Associated Press who commented on Obama’s “Fledging Presidency.” Are you for real? What about his president is fledgling? He inherited a disaster from President Bush and everything he is doing is beginning to work. And lastly he has been in office for less than 100 days and in those 100 days has accomplished more than any other president. Look-Good People of the press. Don’t be stupid and say stupid things. I am really getting tired of moronic, biased reporting.)

Now back to the point of my blog, here is the point, so many want to blame the government for taxes and proclaim corporations and the free market the road to travel, but the corporations and free market are FREE LOADING on the American Public and we are more than ever we are paying their tax bills. Is this fair? Now granted many in the press are owned by a big corporation who undoubtedly are corrupt and potentially has off shore accounts. This is where we get biased reporting and fear mongering about the government; from the press owned by greedy corporations.

Many have spent Wednesday protesting the government and taxes while proclaiming free market is the answer. They only thing free in the free market is the corporations who obstructing tax policies and exploiting consumers. Should we not be protesting these corporations? Should we not be standing outside at AIG and Bank of America in protest? Why are we not protesting the exploitation of consumers from Capital One and American Express who are changing many terms and leaving many people stranded? Why are we protesting the government when they are trying now to stop it?

I came across a press release from the Department of Justice who is summoning names (John Doe) and officially gaining access to all off shore accounts to make corporations and all those practicing tax evasions to justice. And not surprising Credit Card companies are deep in the mix. Yes, our government is going after companies who are avoiding taxes, and this will take much of the burden off the American people. Now again several credit card companies got government bailout, Capital One, American Express and Discover.

So my question remains, who should we truly express our anger, hostility and protest? The government who we owe taxes for the police force, who keeps us safe, for the army that protects are borders, for school that teach our children and for parks for us to rest and enjoy. This is all supplied to us through our taxes and our government? So many are thankful and supportive our army and soldiers which is funded by our taxes. If we don’t pay taxes, we would not have military force.

Now there are those who believe all the above should be privatized, or without regulation, but take a look at how corporations have been behaving. They hide money in foreign accounts not to pay their fair share of taxes. They exploit their consumers and yet we want to trust these CEO’s and corporations with the things that are important in our life. Corporations use their own regulatory system that harms our food supply killing innocent Americans. Personally, I don’t trust a CEO to shine my shoes. Most likely they would spit, leave a stain so that I would constantly have to come for another shine. That doesn’t sound like a good investment of my money.

Taxes, Time for a Tea Party?

2009-04-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Happy tax day America! Isn’t it a good day for party? A few days ago, I received a phone call inviting me to a tea party and I promptly hung up the phone. I’m not that kind of girl! I’m sorry, I just don’t go around tea bagging strangers and honestly I don’t really trust where you have been the past eight years. I hear you were involved in some very dirty practices and there are rumors you are involved with torture. And I simply will not tea bag with anyone without a ring on my finger! I need to truly be in love with a tea bagger, before I even think of tea bagging. Okay, I had my fun and yes I know this is a grand tea bagger tea party on April 15th is very important to many people, but honestly you are giving many of us quite a good chuckle. (Look it up, please)

Now honestly, I am not going to condemn anyone’s right to protest but let’s be smart about this. First I must say if we are proud and patriotic, taxation comes with being an American. We are, as the constitution states taxed with representation, (Unless you live in Minnesota, then you only have half your representation). Whether our politicians serve us well is to be debated, but in order to live, work and thrive in the United States we must pay taxes. And if we believe in democracy as our founding fathers originated, then we must accept the terms and taxation. If not, I can only question your patriotism. Taxes of course are supposed to be for the good of the nation. If you do not want to be taxed, then say goodbye to education, the police force, the army, and hand over all your Medicare cards, because Medicare is American socialism. We have been going at it for years. And if you think free market corporations will serve us better, then I believe you to be quite naïve or a greedy CEO. Why do we give so freely to insurance companies and credit companies who just take, take and take but we refuse and protest to give to our government who serves the people?

Tea bagging protest party-what is it you folks are protesting? If you are protesting the government raising taxes let me set it straight. The increase of taxes is a 3% tax increase for the wealthiest 5% in the nation-this figure goes back to the Clinton years when many of today’s wealthy made the most money. So I say, big fricking whoop! Three percent does not make a protest. And secondly, you are currently protesting the Bush Administration tax policies, because Obama’s haven’t gone into effect yet.

If you are protesting the stimulus package and money to failing banks, just remember the economy started falling apart under President Bush and it was his administration that issued the first tarp money without restriction giving AIG the power to give “bonuses.” If you are protesting the budget and the deficit, please note it was the Bush administration that increased the deficit with over spending and even faked their budgets. (The actual cost of the Iraq war was not listed on Bush’s budgets). President Obama’s budget is high, because his budget includes the true cost for the war. (Again, look it up) So folks, what you are protesting are the remnants of the GOP Bush Administration. What you are truly protesting is sour grapes that your team is no longer in power. Boo, hoo, hoo. Do you need a crumbling cookie with your tea?

I do have to make another point of this tea bagging party and tossing tea into our harbors, lakes and rivers. It’s pollution. Stop muddying the nation’s waters with your salty, tea seeped tears.

Credit Card Corporations - Double Secret Probation

2009-04-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

I’d like to thanks Bankrate.com and their article, Navigating Credit Card Bizarro World for this blog inspiration and my first question has got to be, how do these companies continue to get away with it? I know, I know they have until July 2010 when all the federal restrictions are in place. I say – Let the gauging begin! Not that credit card companies were not gauging consumers before but this plays to me like bully retaliation. You remember, you get the courage to tattle on a bully and then after school you receive a greater beating. That’ll show you. Don’t tattle on the big bad bullies and don’t mess with credit card corporations.

As per bankrate.com the following are potential changes a creditor can do to your account; at their discretion mind you. First off, if there are any changes to your account, they won’t tell you up front. This is the proverbial kick me sign taped to your butt. You’re walking down the hallway, innocent as a lamb and all of a sudden people start giving you good swift kicks to your derriere. You stop, you think, hum did I ask to be kicked? Did I so something wrong, no?” Then what gives? Oh, it’s just those wily creditors and their rascally pranks at consumer expense. Isn’t being a credit card consumer fun?

Okay, here’s one for the ages. You may not be able to buy all three credit reports to check your FICO score. What? Okay, I have a problem with FICO and all those credit card score people; no matter how annoyingly cute the jingle. This score represents who and how we are being reported. It’s bad enough it is free only once a year, now we may not have access to all three reports. This gives the Animal House – Double Secret Probation a new meaning. This is my fellow Americans is Big Brother at his finest. How is it possible in the land of freedom we cannot access our consumer records to see how we are being reported? Seriously folks I do not know why this doesn’t outrage more people.

Now, I am going to post a clip from the movie that inspired my book comparing credit card companies to fraternity, “Ooh Baby Compound Me.” All you have to do is transpose grade point average and credit score and you got yourself an analogy. For those of you of delicate ears and minds you may not want to watch this clip as there is some profanity, but my guess is many even those delicate of minds have at one time or another silently cursed a creditor.

I have read articles on lowering credit scores and the sweet and sugary script we must adhere to when dealing with creditors. Tread lightly fellow consumers as these creditors request the treatment of royalty. Personally, as a consumer I tread lightly and carry a big stick. Recently, I threatened to go to my State Senators and yes, even the president. And if that didn’t scare them, I would take it to the media. My credit card interest rate decreased by half. You see it is bully tactics we are working with here. Stand up to the bully, they will think twice about dealing with you. And let’s face it, it you prove to be a little on the crazy side, they’ll do anything to work with you. Offering cupcakes to a creditor does not work unless they are laced with diuretics.

I am very much aware, many consumers share in this responsibility, but the problem is if a consumer acts irresponsible creditors still lend. They make money off consumer irresponsibility. Hey it is a win, win situation, poor credit consumers get more credit and credit corporations make more money, until our economy bottomed out-then the finger pointing began. But to be responsible corporations- Do not lend to poor consumers and make it impossible to good consumers to pay down debts. There is of course a balance if people play fair.

Credit Score - Our Adult Report Card

2009-04-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Like in school we are graded on how we handle a credit card. To me it is the silliest of functions in our society-being graded and judged on the use of a little plastic card distributed by a corporation. These corporations have more control over our individual lives then our government does with the Patriot Act. I find it ridiculous that we, United States citizens drop our pants and surrender our butts to the will of the credit corporations, but that’s just me. I was raised to believe that love is a prerequisite to love making and not just giving yourself to any dick or harry.

In school our teachers stressed upon us the importance of good grades, but even back in the days many reminded students there are other things equally as important as good grades. Really, are you out of your mind? There are important things other than good grades? Why that is just heretical nonsense! Well yes, we were encouraged to play nice and play fair with others. This is something our creditors have failed during recess. Yes, most people who wind up in the credit and banking industry failed recess. They were the nerds who didn’t get invited to the cool frat parties and were possibly turned down by the hot chicks. Huh, why were the jocks on campus so popular? Well because they learned the valuable lesson of playing as a team and together.

And think back to your days in school, the kids with the good grades were anti-social. They were the ones with their heads in a book while the rest of the student body played Dodge Ball and the ones who nearly suffocated on chalk dust while cleaning erasers to suck up to the teacher. Sociability is just one of the many important lessons we taught in school, but one today is considered least important. Who cares about society when it is all about me! Community organizers are for the dogs. This is truer today when as our nation suffers in a credit crisis, our sense of community spirit and sociability plummets along with the stocks and we blame one and other instead of working together as a team.

Creativity and all its curriculums proved to be my personal downfall. I’ve stated this before and I’ll state it again, many creative people just do not have a talent for managing money, but then I imagine most non creative people are color blind, so there you go. All of us in this country have probably said at one time or another, “That there are more important things in life than money.” If we believe this, then why is it we are allowing corporations to judge us, not only credit card use, but on school loans, utility payments and rents. If we accept being graded and judged on money management, then we are admitting that money is the most important thing in life. I disagree.

We have people in this world who sacrifice and sometimes even starve for the good of society. Should we judge these people poorly for their ongoing contributions to humanity because they are not concerned with their credit score? There are people devoting their livelihoods to enlighten, inspire and entertain us, yet should we condescend to them because perhaps they paid a bill late. Okay, so down I step from my soap box.

Let’s look back to our fellow students of good grades, the schoolies and the brains. Some of these people you wouldn’t trust to change a light bulb, yet these are the people hired as CEO’s and bankers. No wonder our nation seems so dim, the CEO’s don’t know how to change the bulbs. This must be cosmic revenge of the nerds. All those lonely, anti-social nerds are not getting their revenge by taking over the country financially and tying our hands behind our backs as they screw us from behind. Perhaps we should have thought twice about taping a nerd’s ass together with duct tape?

Christopher Dodd-My Hero

2009-04-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Every girl needs a knight in shining armor and I have indeed found mine. He is Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd and the champion of credit card legislation. Now this credit card legislation has been introduced for a while and passed on March 31st, but even today there has been an outbreak of raised interest rate and closing of accounts from Bank of America. Be sure, these creditors will do everything they can to get more money from consumers before the legislation takes effect. And surprisingly the corporations who are the most guilty are those who received bail out money (Capital One, American Express and Bank of America to name a few).

Since my book, Ooh Baby Compound Me was published and I have been following credit card and consumer advocate articles I have found myself alone in this quest for credit card consumer rights. For a long while I was on a lonely road, combating those who suggested controlling “free following” capitalism and protecting consumer rights is socialism. I have found myself marked by condescension for not understanding the definition of consumer or those who shunned me for at times in my life for making poor credit decisions. How dare I question the great gods of the credit corporations in all their power and glory? You egregious little ingrate. I felt for many months, a fool.

But now, after wandering this dark, winding road of creditor exploitation, a knight has appeared and behind him an army; the United States Congress and even the President himself. Take that all you naysayers of credit card legislation! Take that to all you who bow to the graces of greedy CEO and corporations! The consumers now have a voice and a champion.

Now despite, Christopher Dodd making my book which satirically blasts the exploitation of credit card companies irrelevant I still find it a good thing. Someone has heard my cries! Someone’s actually doing something, Reg! (A salute to Monty Python’s Life of Brian)

Imagine our government actually doing something with a positive effect on average Americans. Click here to see more on Dodd’s legislation.

Still, I grow a little tired reading many articles about credit cards. Just today, there are over twenty around the country, all saying the exact same thing and all of these articles, interviews and books are all giving the exact same advice. Boring! Can we have some original thoughts, please? How many times do we need to hear it? Many are all geared to the responsibility of the consumer; how we need to mind our debt, how we negotiate talking to creditors, how to teach our children, how we should call them sir and wipe their**-all this for corporations who are exploiting the consumer.

Now I understand, many people have made money from credit cards and many people work for credit card companies, or have a business solving other people’s credit problems. This becomes detrimental to anyone who has made a living in some way or another in the credit industry. With this legislation passing and credit card companies will not be able to gauge consumers, what will happen to all the people making a living solving people’s debt? What will happen to debt collectors, debt consolidators, counselors, etc, etc. It will be liberation for all without having to pay a dime. We can pay down our debt, without having to pay out a cent to another. Imagine that.

It all goes to my thought, why continue to find ways to get by in a corrupt system? Why give advice on how to handle corruption instead of fighting against it? It is kind of like telling slaves how to handle their slave masters in order not to be mistreated. In a sense, this is what we are doing. In a free country like the United States, we should not have to be imprisoned to corporations. We, American citizens should have rights as consumers. We should continue to support and encourage our government who stand up for our rights and our financial freedom.

American Expertitis

2009-04-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

A great epidemic is sweeping the nation and the disease is expertitis. The disease is spreading and these experts are taking over the nations like an army of zombies out to hypnotize us with their expertise and knowledge on their personal topics. One of the most dangerous strains of expertitis are those inflicted as credit card experts, for it is their delusion that they can be experts on a subject that is constantly changing ; interest rates, fees and regulations and not to mention be experts on a subject that exploits consumers. I try to make a habit of reading articles written about credit cards, debt, etc, but it has become so tedious because every Jane, Dick and Harry expert are preaching the exact same thing. And the funny part is-with new credit card legislation all their expertise is going to go down the toilet. Their expertise will be superfluous.

Sarcasm aside, the one thing I have learned in my life in my quest for knowledge is the more I learn, the less I know. And in the search for answers, I only come up with more questions. The concern with experts is to pronounce yourself an expert, you are in a sense saying you have learned all you need to know and you have sadly reached the extent of your knowledge. Some, in historical times may have been expert map makers and expressed with great authority and expertise that the world was flat. Those experts were wrong when they learned many great explorers did not fall off the earth upon discovering America. We need to be careful in declaring we have all the answers, because once proven wrong the expert turns to fool.

We should be reminded that it was a nation of financial experts who got us into this financial crisis, and many with a severe infliction of expertitis are still trying to give us their opinions and ideas on how to overcome a crisis they indeed created. I think today, instead proclaiming all knowledgeable, maybe we all ask more questions and accept the answers. I watched a documentary a few day ago when the writer/director said in the quest for knowledge you need to prepare yourself for what you might learn. The knowledge you gain may be very different front what was expected.

I will never deny someone’s knowledge and experience, but perhaps it is better with think of ourselves as students, because if we don’t we will constantly remain static and never growing and that is detrimental to an individual, people and a nation. We owe it to ourselves to open our minds with the knowledge we all know very little and what we know today, may be different tomorrow.

Nobody's Right if Everybody's Wrong

2009-04-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

This is a line from one of my favorite songs, Buffalo Springfield’s anti-war hit, “For What it’s Worth.” For what it is worth, I find this song speaks volumes to us today. There are so many people speaking and while many are speaking of peace and unity, many others are promoting fear, anger, paranoia, prejudice and hate. And worse yet, some in position of power and influence are inciting people to act out in anger and hate. I am not here to deny anyone the right to bear arms, but if we love our country, if we are Patriots and we love fellow Americans, why would want to raise guns against them. We are fortunate to live in a free society, but are we really free if we have to have guns to feel secure?

The one thing I have stated in several of my previous blogs was my concern that the promotion of rebellion will provoke violence. Michelle Bachmann encourages violent revolution, Glenn Beck uses imagery of the Nazi’s to promote his agenda and Sean Hannity has at one time posted a poll on the best way to overthrow a nation. A message needs to be sent to these people that we will not be taken in with talk of hate and fear. This election was won fair and was won with a good margin of victory. I have said before, if we value democracy we MUST accept the outcome of an election. I had to stomach eight years of Bush and never did I think ill of him. We can’t rally into revolution just because we don’t like that our “team” didn’t win.

Last week our nation suffered two mass shootings. One man was Anti-American; a man who was tired of being ridiculed for his poor English. The other was afraid President Obama is going to take away his right to bear arms. Ironically, both these men gave a really good reason for the anti-gun cause. Let me reiterate-A man shot three police officers in protest, because he feared a gun ban. For if there were stricter rules on gun ownship thirteen people in Binghamton, NY will be alive and three police officers in Pittsburgh will go home to their families. Is this acceptable to all those who shout rallies of revolution and revolt? Does this sit well with Michelle Bachmann, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity? Is this really what they want, our valuable police officers to be gunned down? I mean, really?

I do believe the real blame is the media. Here’s my call to the media and pundits. SHUT UP! Personally, I do not believe we should have commenters and pundits. Look, I don’t care about your personal spin on politics, I want the news. The real news, not someone’s twisted version. I don’t want journalists to “guess” what will happen. And secondly, if you need “the American people to decide” then you are not doing your job. It is not the American public’s responsibility to sort through crap to get to the truth. If you have nothing intelligent to say, then say nothing. And if you need to call out for revolution, then you must accept the responsibility for any bloodshed.

The question I ask all Americans; Republicans, Democrats, the media-What is it worth? What in the heck are we doing? For what is it worth I think it is important we all take responsibility. Let’s evaluate our individual behavior on how we treat our neighbors, our views on society and the country. Instead of condemning our neighbor, we should open our hearts. If we learn, there is nothing to fear from one another, than perhaps many would not feel it necessary to cuddle up with an automatic shotgun at night. It is fear, not bravery that makes us cling to our guns.

To Protect & Serve

2009-04-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

March 31st the Dodd-Levin Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act passed. This I learned from the writer of a post on Gather.com. The below is an email from Senator Carl Levin’s office in regards to the landmark credit card legislation.

“The landmark bill approved by the Banking Committee earlier this week would ban the most egregious credit card practices that are unfairly deepening or prolonging credit card debt for many consumers. Under this legislation, for example, credit card companies would be prohibited from applying higher interest rates retroactively to existing credit card debt, hiking interest rates on customers who pay on time, and collecting interest on credit card debts that were repaid on time. In addition, this bill would crack down on unreasonable fees, including repeated late fees, over-the-limit fees, and fees to pay your bill, and would prohibit charging interest on those fees. It would also prohibit so-called "universal default" interest rate hikes in which a credit card company hikes a cardholder's interest rate for reasons unrelated to the account held with that company. It would also make sure that cardholders get their bills 21 days before the bill is due and give them until 5:00 p.m. on the due date to make a payment.”

This is very welcome news for many, but what struck my funny bone were the questions that preceded the blog. Is this a proper role for Government or is this a Socialist take-over of American Capitalism? Does the Government have any right to regulate the practices of private companies? Will this Legislation help you or a loved one? Do you see this as an unwarranted intrusion upon free-flowing capitalism? My answer to the first three questions is a resounding and bellowing yes! And for the last question, lately I believe “free-flowing” capitalism has been rapid flood waters breaking through a dam.

Here my humble thoughts to these posed questions. We rage into an all out Blitzkrieg of anger and hostility when our government suggests to raise our taxes, but it is somehow okay for a credit card company to gauge consumers with high interest rates, unreasonable fees, etc, etc, etc. We allow businesses to get away with literally murder (deregulation of our food industry), but we raise banners of injustice and throw out words like “socialism” when our government wants to renovate the nation’s infrastructure, clean up health care system and improve education. Does anyone see the absurd hypocrisy?

We whine and complain about “socialism” a word that is so very much misused, but we allow insurance companies exploit and inflate the costs of care health coverage. We even have to pay corporations money to die (life insurance). We pay so much money to corporations with really no benefit, yet we do not want to give money to our government with the promise of increasing our quality of living. Why do we put so much trust in corporate CEO’s, or do we believe corporations are just so gosh darn righteous? Oh yes, they care. I’ve seen that commercial.

Here is the bottom line-corporations are out to make money for corporations with little to no concern for the American public, so why should we care about their free-wheeling capitalism. We elect our government to work for us, and we can take their power away when they step out of line. In a Democracy it is the people with the true power. So, who would we want the power to go to; the corporations who make money off our misfortune, or politicians whose career depends on our votes?

The role of our elected public officials is to serve and protect the American citizens and it doesn’t matter whether they are protecting us from terrorists or corporations. You see the problem with the government is we elect public officials who are lobbied by big corporations-and that is called corruption. Anyone who tries to convince you deregulation of big business is a good idea is trying to exploit you and make more money for themselves.

My question is how come corporations have more rights than people? If the government is to protect us from Terrorists, shouldn’t they protect us from those who exploit us? Both, threaten our lives and our freedoms? Some corporations (not all) threaten our individual financial freedom. Where is the line drawn from where our government can offer protection? It’s okay to send troops overseas to protect us from “terrorists,” but if they step into stop corporations for exploitation they are over stepping government boundaries. Saying government does not have the power over corporations, means the corporations are really in power. And this is why AIG got away with giving away bonuses to their employees.

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Debt Collectors, Collective of the Borg

2009-04-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

I find it a curse and a blessing to share the name with so many women. Yes, surprisingly Jennifer Ott is a very popular name. Honestly, as a writer I must admit I do like seeing my name in print, so while promoting my writing I often have to wade through a sea of Jennifer Otts. That is why I have used the pen names Fiesta Jones and Carmen Octavio. But on the occasion, when I do not want to be found or known, I am grateful for the vast number of Jennifer Otts because in this great sea, I can submerge myself.

Recently in the abyss of Jennifer Otts a debt collector, Academy Services, found my number and call me every day. Not knowing the number I did not pick up. Yes, I screen calls. I figure if it is important they will leave me a message. One day I decided to stop the phone calls and answer. They were looking to collect a debt on Jen Ott. Current on all my bills, I questioned the debt. They said are you not Jennifer Ott and they quoted me a social security number. Yes, they quoted another women’s social security number me in full. Take that for identity theft, debt collectors are giving social security numbers away. I kindly told the operator, you have the wrong Jennifer Ott. Please do not call me again.

You will probably be startled to find out; they continue to call me, everyday and sometimes twice a day. One evening, when I let the call go directly to the answering machine, they indeed left a message. “By allowing this message to be heard you are acknowledging this is Jen Ott. If so, please call us, your friendly neighborhood debt collector. Okay, what’s a girl to do? I am Jen Ott, but I have no debt. I called them back and told another operator, I am not the Jennifer Ott you are looking for. Please take my number off your list. Guess what? You got it! The next day I received a call, this time the clever Debt Collector asked for Jenna Ott. Do they think I’ll respond to that? Let’s catch her with a nickname, maybe she’ll call us back. Here is my analogy with the Borg. Do these debt collectors have and individual thought and a brain, or are these operators tied to one collective operating system?

But then, as admitted previously I am addicted to the show The Tudors and I cleverly caught onto their fiendish plot. Even today, torture is a means of getting one to admit guilt, despite many being innocent. After being tortured, one will admit to anything. If the wise debt collectors keep hounding me, despite it not being my debt, perhaps they think I’ll break down, admit I am this other Jen Ott and pay them their money. Heck, that’s the point with Debt Collectors, they don’t care who you are as long as they get their money!

And if you are indeed the correct Jennifer Ott, you can give them a call yourself-Academy Services. Also, if you would like to comment to Academy Services their practice of giving out other people’s social security numbers. Feel free.

Financial Fools Day

2009-04-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

In the reading the news of the G-20 summit one thing that crossed my mind; why are the Europeans in the streets protesting and Americans are sitting home? We once revolted against tyranny and injustice. We gave freedom to those of different ways and religions. We, during the period of the revolutionary war united to stop the domination of the English Monarchy. Where is our sense of principle in standing up for justice, fairness and equality? I ask myself why are we not angry and why do we still tolerate the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly who promote fear, hatred and prejudice? Why are we not angry at all the politicians who still claim giving tax breaks to the elite wealthy few is a good idea for this nation?

To be frank, the United States financial system started this mess and many European nations were not as hard as hit. So why are the Europeans so angry and why are they united in a continental protest rally? Disturbingly, here in the states there is still a sentimentality and admiration for the elite rich. We coddle the rich and give them excuses for their corruption while many struggling people stand in unemployment lines. Many are the blaming of the poor who were seduced by money and banker, investor and lender schemes. Today in England, they pronounced it Financial Fool’s Day and so should I for I don’t just think it is the financiers who are fools; I believe everyone invested is a fool.

We are all fools as we continue to follow along in the belief that taking from the poor and giving to the rich is an ideal economic strategy. We are fools to believe that in a land of me, myself and I the desecration of another has no impact on our personal lives. We are fools to believe we are socially responsible when we fail to invest in our neighbor’s health and well-being. We are fools to believe that not investing in education we will still remain an economic power. We are fools to believe that blaming and criticizing one another for their financial behavior helps the situation. We are fools to continue to support corporations aimed at exploiting consumers. We are fools to believe we are good citizens when we judge others.

Now I do not advocate some protester’s call to abolish money and all capitalists. That would be very unwise, but I do think there should be a greater call for accountably and if arrests are warranted for corruption. This is a time in history that requires we do not sit home and watch from the safety of our living rooms or from the anonymity of our computers. If we truly want to call ourselves the United States, then I believe we should get united.

Porfanity Laced Tirade

2009-04-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Personally, I’m a big fan especially in expressing my angst against credit cards and corporations. Sometimes proper words in the dictionary do not have the same affect. Garsh Darn, golly gee just doesn’t have the same impact as well, I’ll let you use your imagination. I understand how profanity may be considered offensive, but I guess to me these words in which many cringe are just that-words. They are sounds and expression with little to no meaning. Well, yes they have meaning but foul language is not going to do any severe damage unless you are a religious zealot and in that case, you will not be going to hell, the offender will.

I am guilty of profanity, but I am not writing this blog in attempt to defend my own words, I am writing this blog in response to an article I read in the Consumerist, where a shopper was arrested in Galveston, Texas for using the F-word. Note to self, do not shop in Galveston, Texas. What is even more absurd is she was arrested by a fire marshal that had really no authority to make an arrest. Now, granted profanity may be offensive to some, but it is certainly not against the law. What is more offensive is someone feeling elitist, falsely prideful and supremely powerful. That is more frightening then it is offensive.

The people I respect and admire are those who in all good conscience are not afraid of self expression, however it comes forth. Very few passionate, expressive and creative people come forth with clear, pure articulation. The sadness of the state of properness is that sometimes we miss brilliance of thought and ideas if we get caught up in proper etiquette and word play. It would strike some of these people to know that some of the greatest artistic masters, Mozart, Picasso, Shakespeare were all thought indecent and immoral, but in their lack of decency and moral standard look at their artistic accomplishments. Many of these masters were highly criticized in their day for indecency, breaking the rules and thinking differently. But who made the biggest impact on society, the decent who colored within the lines, or the ones who created outside the box?

Remember Mozart; genius may come in the most crude packages. Are we to deny genius simply because we may find the edges rough and offensive? I guess the answer to that question is indeed in the beholder of genius.

Mockery of Media

2009-03-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, the news media, just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse I introduce News personality Bill O’Reilly. Normally I don’t waste a thought on Fox News because giving mental focus to the brainless is a pointless exercise. I try not to even give Fox News attention in their attempts at fear mongering and revolution building. It is how you handle a bully; you ignore them and they will go away. Unless you are Bill O’Reilly and then he will hunt you down and threaten you until you see things his way.

A young female blogger had the great audacity to challenge Bill O’Reilly in her blog and how did Mister O’Reilly react? Not by clarifying or standing behind his show or his word, no he had his producer stalk the woman and threaten her to take back her words. This actually, thankfully promoted UPS to withdraw their sponsorship of the show. It’s bad enough when the media is twisting truths and distorting the facts, but how bad can it be when the media stalks people who disagree with their stories. Let me define this for all those who live their lives by the dictionary. This is fascism (Fascist movements oppose any ideology or political system that gives direct political power to people as individuals through elected representatives rather than as a collective nation or race). Terrorizing people not to speak out against you resembles tactics used by the Gestapo. Should we tolerate this behavior by our press and media? And if all these media folks value freedom of speech, then they absolutely must accept the freedom of speech to those who challenge their ideology.

And today the Bill O’Reilly’s publicity spin has begun. Apparently the Internet empire of Yahoo supports O’Reilly’s fascist tactics by giving him today’s headline story and his new campaign to boycott movies made by Sean Penn. You see, according to Bill O’Reilly Sean Penn does not deserve a voice to speak his mind or express a difference of opinion. He is only one of the greatest actors of our time, why allow him to think and express himself? Sean Penn and the rest of us must succumb to Bill O’Reilly’s ideology, or else we pay the consequences.

The one thing for all to remember, to make the effort speaking or writing their mind, someone will always disagree. Often time it is not the disagreement that matters it is the quality of the argument. If you can debate your ideological opponent with respect great things can occur, but if you need to express your view point with aggression or condescension you are only proving your own points show no merit.

Anarchy of Ideas

2009-03-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

This blog may meander a bit in meaning as I am trying to wade through the vast amount of expressed ideas. Over the past couple months in regards to our government, the media and the internet I have found a vast number of people expressing their points of view and boasting their expertise to others. In a way I find this comical with so many experts and so many ideas, but no one is listening or respecting another. Free speech is great but is it possible to go too far?

I have been questioning corporations, the government, and the media and in some cases even fellow citizens, but honestly I have to say many in positions of power frighten me. Many in government are speaking in terms of treason and evoking citizens into a revolution against the government. We have heard such talk from Governor Palin and others, but the person who strikes me the most severe is Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann. See below.

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I understand the fear of change, but just because there are different ideas for progress doesn’t mean they are going to destroy the fabric of our lives. Change is good, regardless of how frightening it can be. I honestly to not think fear of change should be a reason for treasonous banter.

Now look, honestly I was not a happy camper during the last eight years of the Bush administration, but never have I or anyone I know spoke of overthrowing the government, although at times I threatened refuge in Canada. My question is in a democracy when the majority has voted and the current administration has a very high approval rating how does promoting revolution make any sense? If you honor democracy, even though your party lost, how can you deny the very fundamentals of the process? I apologize to all those out there who voted for McCain and the Republican party, but get this-you get another chance in four years. I am not a person who gets caught up in watching television, but I found myself addicted to the Showtime hit, The Tudors. And I asked myself, how would King Henry the VIII handle those who disagree and promoted revolution? In watching a rerun of season one, the show made mention that even imagining the king dead is treason. Yikes! Thankfully for all of us, we have won our independence over the British monarchy, but my question remains; should treasonous talk be allowed, or should it be tolerated because we have free speech? Doesn’t that strike you as frightening? When does this talk become destructive to the nation? Perhaps, if we value free speech, those in promote treason and revolution need to hear our free speech-Stop the fear mongering.

But once again I believe we need to not only hold those accountable who speak irresponsibility, we have to monitor ourselves. With twittering and blogging becoming an obsession to say exactly what is on our minds at any time without the consideration for another is dangerous. There is a deep desire in everyone to express their expertise and ideas, but we can’t lose sight of the respect of others, or else we will find ourselves with anarchy of ideas.

Hey Media, Perhaps the President isn't that into you

2009-03-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

Ah, the poor mass media is feeling like the girl who doesn’t get asked to dance as President Obama is taking his “press” conference to the American people. Personally, here’s my take for what it’s worth. With the media today, how can you possibly trust the news is being presented honestly? So if you have a message to the people, and you don’t trust the messenger, go direct; cut out the middle man. In the age of the internet and social networking, the media needs to be careful or they can find themselves completely irrelevant. If your message can be broadcast direct with little to no cost, without having someone twist or distort, why go through the media? Going through the media today, is like trying to communicate with your fellow employees through the company gossip.

As mentioned previously, I have personally witnessed three different versions of the same story on the different news networks. Who do you believe? Do you believe the one that affiliates with your personal political party? Do you watch and trust the one with the best graphics and special effects, or the star personalities? And how as a nation can we unite to solve today’s issues, if we have to sort through media crap. Someone once said to me, who had a family member in the military, “You would be shocked what our government is actually doing in the world?” This was in 1988, you can imagine what our government has done in the past couple decades. Meaning, the American people are pretty much left in the dark in regards to the news.

Today, in regards to the Tuesday’s presidential press conference, CNN Ed Henry set the example of what I believe of what is wrong in journalism. The challenge was why did it take President Obama so quick to react to the AIG bonus? The quick retort from President Obama, “I like to understand a situation before I speak.” Wow, what a concept; thinking before you speak. But of course to save face Ed Henry and CNN promoted as a gaffe. What I’d like to point out, the media and the news is looking for headlines, quick bites and gaffes to broadcast and spin. They’re not looking for answers, they want the scoop and they want to paint in a headline. They want entertainment and they are to improve their ratings.

So today, the unprecedented Presidential internet press conference, President Obama addressed Americans direct questions, that weren’t spun by news reporters to support their political or corporate agenda. It was refreshing and now Americans can say we truly have a voice in our nation. And if people in the media were smart, they may wise up and start having some accountability in their reporting.

Our Nation and the Square Deal

2009-03-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

What happened? America has come so far yet at some point, we have gone so far astray. It is insane to me what is happening in our corporations, our government and our media. Many are quoting the constitution and the wise words of our forefathers, but everyone is doing so to twist some sordid agenda. Greed is obscene in our corporations, our politicians are promoting agendas for power and the media, and well many in the media are just flat out lying. If to truly call ourselves patriots shouldn’t we be honoring exactly what our forefathers intended and not trying to rewrite history?

Once again, as I have been struggling to find meaning to blog. Today I found inspiration in Teddy Roosevelt and one of his quotes in regards to the “Square Deal.”

"Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense."... "We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less.""The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally upon the welfare of all of us."

It is amazing to me the words of Teddy Roosevelt, president at the beginning of the Twentieth Century resonate the wisest and strikes the heart of nation’s issues today. When have we lost our sense of decency, fair-dealing and commonsense? In all facets that govern, finance or broadcast to the American people, we are falling seriously short of this ideal. It has come a time when we can’t take any man’s word for certainty, our government, corporations or media.

The last sentence strikes me the most in regards to our nation’s welfare. Welfare, a word that strikes discord in the minds of a many Americans. Welfare today is considered a bad word, but it was something promoted by a republican President. How have we become a nation that does not care for the welfare of a fellow American. We invest so much in the charities that we forget that basic charity begins at home, in our neighborhood and our country at large. There is a saying, you are only as strong as your weakest link. Well, it seems America has a lot of weak links. And there is another saying, strength in numbers. The American people have the numbers.

Here is my square deal. We are a democracy and Americans have control over all above facets that govern, finance and broadcast. In regards to the Edward R. Murrow speech I have referred to time and time again, perhaps Americans have become too complacent and allowed our government, corporations and media to “rough ride” all over us. But remember, this is OUR country, we do have the power to hold those who take advantage of their positions accountable for their actions and words. It is the voices of the American people that must resound louder than all who have access to a microphone. And remember, it isn’t always the loudest man who is the wisest. Sometimes the quiet man who says nothing, but listens is the wisest man.

Money, Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

2009-03-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest gripes especially today is the judgment of the finances of others. Many judge the rich, and many judge the poor. Honestly, in my life time I had friends who made significantly less salary, but were much better with their money and those friends who made more money but were financial knuckleheads. I for one, never judged another’s handling of their finances. It was and is their business and none of mine. But in today’s economic climate many find pride in their finances, handling of credit , savings and blah, blah, blah and use as a s sense of pride to criticize others who struggle. This pride does no one any good.

One of the reasons I don’t judge is because I don’t see money being a human quality. I don’t judge someone by the money they have in the bank, I judge them by the quality of their character. Money is a piece of paper that signifies a monetary value, but it doesn’t suggest how you earned that money. I’m sure many feel the same but we get caught up in the stereotypes; rich people are greedy and poor people are lazy when neither have to be true. Some rich people are very lazy and some poor people work very hard for their money, therefore impossible to judge.
It is impossible to judge another on the finances and money without knowing anything about them. Rule number one, living expenses differ immensely from one part of the country to another. Living in Topeka, Kansas costs significantly less than New York City, therefore it is impossible to place judgment without knowing where they live. Secondly, you can’t judge another without knowing all their bills, mortgages, credit card bills, school loans, hospital bills and the list continues.

I think this has greater impact with what is happening in the country, as there seems to be budding class struggle. I have read one man’s judgment on a family who doesn’t have any credit cards and lives truly on what they earn. I have read articles where reporters blame average American’s for the credit crisis and well, no one can help blame the corporate managers at AIG.

So many quick to promote values, values of having money, the value of not having mone. Perhaps we simply have too much value for money. Maybe we should shift our value to people and understand that we are all different, have different goals, desires and dreams for living. Just bear in mind, judging another person is in itself an unbecoming characteristic, judge not lest ye be judged.

Media Does Matter - Reliable Sources?

2009-03-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

As I was drinking my morning coffee blog ideas flowed through my mind, but when I opened my email I read an update from the group, “Media Matters,” a source that provides the facts that were miss-reported and untwists broadcasted lies. It does by providing the entire transcript of a television broadcast. For people in the media who miss use their profession to promote their agendas, this can be highly disconcerting to see your propaganda in writing. Many hope to inspire people to their cause by emotion and to bypass truths. When the television is turned off who really cares what was said? They only care emotion was stirred. This is the danger of our news media today. They are not promoting fact, they are promoting emotion.

What prompted my blog today was a Media Matters email on CNN Tucker Carlson and his never-ending grudge of Jon Stewart. You see it was Jon Stewart who went on Crossfire and challenged Carlson and Paul Begalia for being a “danger to America.” Shortly after Stewart’s appearance, the s how was cancelled. Jon Stewart definitely hit a nerve with CNN.

Here is where it gets interesting and the reason for my blog. Apparently since the interview with Jim Cramer, Stewart has been taking punches from CNBC Executive Jeffery Zucker. He has been discredited as being a comedian and should not be taken seriously. Sad, the executive of CNBC needs to say this in defense of his network, but hey-to each his own. Being that Stewart is now apparently ripe for the picking, little Tucker Carlson decides to step up and take aim for what happened four years ago on Crossfire. Basically Tucker had a grudge against Stewart all this time, but didn’t have the balls to say anything until Zucker made his criticism.

The twist of this comes when Tucker Carlson is distorting the facts of the Stewart/Cramer interview on the show Reliable Sources. Tucker, dude, you falsely promoted a truth on a show called Reliable Sources. How can you be reliable if you don't tell the truth. I understand, a comedian gave you a lesson in journalism, but instead of blaming the comedian, perhaps you should try to be a better reporter. Here is how many deal with criticism. They don’t take it to better themselves or at least look in the mirror to see how they can do better, they decide to take aim and lash back at the critic.

Here’s the point of what is wrong with the news media today. If you spend most of your energies telling stories and promoting your agenda instead of the fact and the truth at some point you will become unreliable and just flat out wrong. It is human nature to have an opinion and to hold a certain ideology and it is human nature to want to promote thoughts, but that becomes a dangerous deal when our ideologies are challenged and we end up having to lie and be deceitful in order to make our position seem credible. If you have to lie and distort the fact to present your ideology, perhaps it is not the facts in questions, perhaps it is you.

News Media - The Man in the Arena

2009-03-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Oh, oh, oh, Olbermann! Yes! Yes! Yes! There is reason Keith Olbermann is on cable news, mothers cover your daughter’s eyes and cover your son’s ears, Keith Olberman is about to give a special comment! Man is that hot. Why is he so sexy? It is because he is delivering the news and he is giving it to us straight, gloves off, not pulling any punches and honestly looks a little spent afterward. Now that is what I call news. As Edward R. Murrow would deliver a special comment with controlled excellence, Keith Olbermann is hell on wheels going down a ski jump. Awesome.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I have been having difficulty writing this blog and the topic may beyond my reach as I try to pull, Teddy Roosevelt, Edward R. Murrow, Keith Olbermann and Jon Stewart into once beacon of example. It comes from men who have spoken out against injustice and the main in a fierce, no holds bar approach. After my blog on CNN, I was greeted the next morning by a bit of Karma and it came in the form of a quote from Teddy Roosevelt with the basic premise, who are we to criticize the man in the arena, but also how do we voice our dissenting opinions without insult?

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"

Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Jon Stewart made mention after his interview with Jim Cramer, “I hope that was as uncomfortable you, as it was for me.” Debate and dissent is rarely ever comfortable and enjoyable, especially for those involved, but then where would humanity be without debate and dissent. Americans would be still living under British rule, slavery might still exist and women may still not be able to vote. Anchorman, comedian, President of the United States or plumber it is our right as Americans to voice our opinions. If news pundit and talking heads can “guess” at the news and other voices just flat out lie and distort the facts to promote their agenda, than so should a comedian press a hard case in an interview and an anchorman can make a special comment.

But I think it goes a little deeper in many forms which could prove a subject for an entire book, let alone a blog. We have incredible access to criticize opinions and worst we can do so anonymously. We can criticize someone’s opinions and even make it personal if we can’t comment intellectually and we can do this from the safety of our keyboard without even giving our true identity. (And credit cards companies promote the fear of identity theft). What if someone steals your identity and uses it to insult another on the internet? Ah, that’s something you probably haven’t thought.

With so many twittering in 140 word bite or many getting their news from a headline or sound bite what content and truth are we really absorbing? This is why I get so excited when someone speaks and speaks brilliantly. And not only are they speaking brilliant they have the courage to not only use their real name, but do on television and voice their opinions that may be unpopular or provoke retaliation.

I believe there must be a place for dissent and protest whether it is editorial or satire. Without being challenged we can never grow, improve and innovate. How can we have healthy debate and discussion in our country if there is an overwhelming lack of respect for opposing viewpoints and ideologies? How can we watch the news when pundits are “guessing” on what will happen or what is going on behind closed doors? How can we go on, if we have immunity to the truth and to facts? It is vitally important today we have the facts and the American public is immersed in honesty and fact, if not we should succumb to the corruption and continue our lives in the minds and ideologies of others.

Credit Card Coporations - A Monopoly on our Lives

2009-03-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is me, but I have never been one to just do something to fit in. If the “in” thing to do was jump off the Golden Gate Bridge and everyone in the world was jumping off the bridge because hum, let’s say it would help their credit score-I still wouldn’t do it. And maybe it is just me, but when I think about the credit industry and the credit score I just absolutely find it ridiculous and honestly want no part of it. You see, there are two ways to go about it, you can be, do and act like everyone else, or you can think for yourself. Unfortunately, I always think for myself, and that’s where my problems arise.

Ah that little, lovely credit score that defines our lives. Okay, so here’s the deal, follow me closely. In order to have a good credit score, we must have a credit card, in which creditors for the most part have “at their discretion,” the ability to change fees, interest rates, billing cycles, credit limits and the ability to close our account. We as consumers need to take their services and play by their rules in hopes they do not change any of the rules and regulations. So, the credit card companies have the ability to mess with our credit, in which we must have to have a good credit score. And if our score lowers, guess what…credit card companies can raise our interest rates and thus making more money off of us consumers. This is a monopoly on our individual financial destines. Get it-if we are good and pay with cash or checks and don’t play with their credit cards and by their rules, we cannot buy a house or a car and perhaps not get a job. You see, we must take their services to survive in this country and that is a monopoly on our lives. Do we as Americans honestly want to live our lives like this?

This is also goes back to my blog on regulation. The food industry has been regulating itself and many were getting sick and dying from E.coli. The credit score system is regulated by credit corporations, so you know all the benefits will go toward corporations, not the people. Many are going into debt with little means to recover. One has a better chance of surviving E.coli than credit card debt. What does that say about our culture?

Now yes, it is still the responsibility of consumers to understand the fine print, to teach the newly anointed credit users, but don’t you think credit card corporations regulating the credit scores is a little incestuous? Can you see how this could possibly be unfair and exploitative toward consumers. I understand the need for a credit score system in order to ensure consumers can afford the loans…but perhaps we need a neutral party monitoring credit score to keep fair. Well this is just the ramblings of a free, out-of-the box thinking delinquent.

CNN - A Search for Ratings

2009-03-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Being a news junkie, the one thing I like to do is watch the news reported on one channel and then I switch to another to see what angle they choose to take the same story. It is quite an enlightening exercise because you will see firsthand the bias on every news “entertainment” channel. CNN their entertainment news cannot be any softer. I mean, they are the soft, whipped vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone that disintegrates while eating and what you’re left with is a sticky mess. FOX is tutti-frutti in a Styrofoam cup that will never bio-degrade and we will be stuck with forever and then my favorite, MSNBC, hard quadruple chocolate in a sugar cone with sprinkles! YUMMY MSNBC!

As Jon Stewart continues to attack CNBC, and every night there is a FOX/MSNBC slug fest, poor CNN is left with no one to dance. They are the ugly girl at that dance who stands by the wall alone and perhaps at times they lift their skirt to get attention. CNN’s latest tactics is taking their show on the road to show American economic woes and unemployment misery; however they still somehow seemed to miss their mark completely. Having Anderson Cooper stand outside the Staple Center in LA, is not news it’s entertainment and the show honestly was less illuminating of the American unemployment plight. They might as well stayed home, and saved money by not sending off their star personality and camera crews of on a cross country reporting festival. They all probably flew first class, had an expensive dinner to celebrate their new grand rating agenda, while the people standing in unemployment lines struggled to put food on the table. Perhaps Anderson Cooper could have sprinkled scraps of food from his pockets for the people standing in line. Now that would have been news.

But my other disappointing comment on CNN came from Keith Olbermann on MSNBC when he reported on John King’s interview with Dick Cheney. I had such high hopes for John King. He was the guy to give us the “State of our Nation,” but as far as I know Dick Cheney is no longer in office so how can he really have any clue as to the State of our Nation. Dick Cheney lacked intelligence when Vice President, now CNN is interviewing him for foreign affairs. Yikes! But what is even worse is the growing news about indictments for War Crimes in regards to the treatment of prisoners. Under Canadian Law, George Bush committed war crimes and he will most likely be welcomed with massive protests when he goes for a visit. But in his “State of the Nation” interview with Cheney, John King didn’t bring up anything about these allocations, true or not. He just sat there and let Cheney do his mumbling. How can you call this a news interview when you don’t challenge a guy on potential war crimes allegations? Is CNN that numb to the truth?

Now, many would probably say-this is cable news. Yes, and it is mostly for entertainment, but the problem is they promote themselves as a viable, honest, unbiased, raw, intelligent reporting. This is false advertising and many people are taken in thinking what CNN is broadcasting is worthwhile and informative, when it is a joke. I understand they need to compete with FOX, MSNBC and now even the Daily Show and Bill Maher for viewers, but the FOX Network has their conservative audience, MSNBC as their liberal audience and well the Daily Show and Bill Maher are comedians. It is really a sad commentary of the reporting at CNN when Jon Stewart goes on Crossfire and gives them a lesson on journalism. So CNN boasts unbiased news. Good call CNN, but the problem is the great pains they are taking to be unbiased, they are missing out of the truth and the hard line stories and that’s okay, just don’t call yourselves news. Hard, balanced, fair, raw reporting doesn’t need lightening effects, dancing girls, juggling bears and a chorus of Hello Dolly, we just need the facts please. And if you honestly need America to decide on the facts of the story, then perhaps you are in the wrong career.

Economy and Free Market Regulation

2009-03-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple months we have heard about the policies of great American presidents, Lincoln, Kennedy and FDR, but the one I feel needs to be reintroduced is the president who spoke softly and carried a very big stick. He was a Rough Rider and a touch crime fighter. I remember hearing a story of Teddy Roosevelt in history class. He worked to rid New York City of corruption, so in order to get him out of the city they promoted him to Governor, but his battle with corruption continued onto the State of New York, so in order to get him out of the state they encouraged him to run for president. Bottom line, Teddy Roosevelt was causing too much havoc with corporate corruption, so they got rid of him and hoped he would find something else to do. I’m not sure this story is true, but it is a great characterization for our 26th President of the United States.

It was Teddy Roosevelt that instituted the Food and Drug Administration after the outcry from Upton Sinclair’s book, “In the Jungle” that exposed the conditions of the nation’s meat industry. Yes, surprise, surprise the food industry was selling sausages containing feces, rats, mice and even human body parts to the American people. It was Teddy Roosevelt who put a stop this practice and he placed regulations on the food industry. The food industry cried and I hate to write a pun, but foul. They were upset they would lose profit if the industry had to be regulated. But it was Teddy Roosevelt and the government’s job to serve and protect the American people, and in this case their job was to protect the food supply.

During the Bush administration restrictions and regulations of the food industry was relaxed and food inspection was privatized. (see one relevant article) This rang like songs of beautiful sirens to corporate America. Privatization and free market is the answer to everything and thus our food industry starting monitoring itself to save money…and of course they were to pass the extra savings off to consumers (right). In that time, the United States has had a record number of E.coli and salmonella outbreaks, from spinach, cat food, baby food, beef and most notably peanuts where corporate/privatized inspectors gave the peanut manufacturers an “A-“. Good job, peanut manufacturers.

I truly have no problem with the corporate world or capitalism. However, like a child needs adult supervision, so do our CEOs. They one thing I must say is the number one priority of a corporation is to make a profit and sometimes that profit is at the expense of the American public. And my challenge to American is do we what to be a nation governed by the corporate world, when their sole interest is making profit off consumers? I honestly can’t see that as very smart, because Americans will always be exploited. We see that today with the food industry, the credit industry and tomorrow I’ll tell you about the health insurance industry. Without a government to serve and protect, we can count ourselves pretty much screwed.

We are very fortunate to live in a country where we can elect our public officials, but it is our responsibility to make sure they do what we elected them to do and not take heed and even money from lobbyists to promote their agendas. And that takes me back to my favorite George Bernard Shaw quote,

“Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.”

Economy in Crisis - Wealth is Work

2009-03-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

There were so many amazing points raised in the Jon Stewart interview with Jim Cramer, but I thought the most profound was Jon Stewart’s quote, “When are Americans going to realize wealth is work?” This was stated in contrast to the short market trading of stocks to make fast money at the expense of hard working American’s 401k. I am so incredibly grateful Stewart bought up this point and I can imagine Jon Stewart would be thankful I was watching on television because I would have jumped into his lap and given him a wet, slobbery kiss.

I believe that not only it has become an American dream to acquire fast money, but more so an American crisis. The desire to make a lot of money without working for it is an American crisis. I made mention in a previous blog that the German people have a 33 billion dollar surplus of exports with a smaller population in comparison to the United States. What can one deduct from that statistic? Well perhaps for one-work ethic .

Now the last thing I want to do is criticize the American labor force, because there are many very hard working men and women who deserve our gratitude, but the problem is as a nation we have come to honor, admire and glamorize those who have made a lot of money quickly. Our labor force is struggling financially, having a hard time paying their debts, yet these are the people who are keeping the wheels of this nation turning, while others are encouraged to make fast money at the expense of other’s pensions.

Yesterday, I sent a letter to the editor of the Boston Globe in response to an article about struggling with credit corporations and credit scores. The example they chose to use, was showing the loan hardship of a person with a score of 706. That is a fairly good score, why is that news? Why is the news today reporting struggles of people with good jobs and good credit scores? What about our American labor force; teachers, nurses, manufacturers and those of the blue collar work force? These people do not earn a big salary. Let me put this into perspective. The average salary of a high school teacher is around $45,000 a year. Personally, as a fashion designer I was making $80,000 a year and that is the low end of the scale. Even though I spent twenty years in the fashion industry, I will be the first to admit that job is much less important than teaching our nation’s children and look at the salary discrepancy. Now imagine being a teacher making $45,000 a year and supporting a family, two children and a spouse in today’s economy. Unless you are a frugal money mastermind it is hard not to go into debt.

This takes me back to Jon Stewart’s point of wealth is work? How far have we strayed from the good old fashion American work ethic to earning a fast buck with nothing to show for it? And to realize that foreigners are doing most of our American labor, while we enjoy spinning the stock market and making money off quick and easy scams and then we have the audacity to sit back and scratch our head and wonder what happened to our economy, or to blame those who are making $45,000 a year and struggling to feed their families. This I say is the American crisis, more so then the financial market crisis. Personally, I think what is best for our nation’s economy is for Americans to roll up our sleeves and get a little dirty.

Crredit Card Companies pushing the benefits of Credit

2009-03-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

It is no doubt I have a lot to say about the economy and corporations, especially credit card corporations. There have been a lot of uncomplimentary things said about banks, lenders and creditors and as one person said, “Many of these companies hire a fleet of publicists to keep the good name of their businesses.” Just think how unsavory their business when they must hire a staff of publicists to promote their good name. Sounds fishy, huh?

So it was reading through the home page of MSN.com and their articles on credit cards. Now, I’m not going to debate the benefits of credit cards. Credit Corporations can hire plenty of people to do that. And honestly, most people know credit cards are good for people who can afford them and they are good for people who know how to work them. For anyone who uses credit cards because their salary simply can’t cover life’s bills-credit cards suck! And that I say is the majority of Americans especially since salaries have not risen with the cost of living. Many simply want to turn their heads away from that fact.

There was one such article that said and I quote, “Not using credit cards can be harsh and expensive.” It wasn’t so much the content of the article, but who wrote the article. The writer of this particular article was an employee of Experian, you know the people who bought you freecreditreport.com which is not really free. They are offering you something you are already legally obliged. This seems just typical and a bit exploiting that someone who works in the credit card industry is promoting credit cards. This is like the IRS selling the benefit of paying taxes or a gambling bookie selling the odds of gambling. To me it just seems a bit incestuous. Now granted they may have some expert advice, but that advice is geared to selling us credit cards and the wondrous benefits thereof. I personally have a hard time respecting that.

But more so in watching the news last night, I learned banks, lenders and creditors to pay millions of dollars to our government to buy deregulation and to remove any aid to consumers. So how am I to take seriously anyone’s advice who works in the financial industry when their end goal is to make money off consumers? Experian and the credit score system that keeps the American consumer prison to the credit system. You get it, to have good credit, you have to have a credit card, but who does that really benefit? You got it – it benefits credit card companies.

I have experienced a time in my life in which I was debt free and let me tell you it was nothing close to “harsh”. It was the most liberating time of my life, although unfortunately I fell victim again. And expensive, how can not using a credit card be expensive because with every purchase with a credit card, you are paying more money.

Export, Import Game - The Gold Medal Goes To...

2009-03-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

I know the suspense is killing you, so I’ll tell you up front. The gold medal goes to Germany!

So what is a single girl to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon, why research international economic statistics. I spent the afternoon researching everything from national wealth, health care and quality of life and even the export/import ratios. And below I have list the export, import top three performers in 2008. I found in my research some very fascinating information. Ah those rascally Germans

Top 3 Exporters
Germany -$1.53 Trillion dollars 82 million people, per capita exports of around $18,650 USD
China -$1.465 Trillion Dollars 1.33 billion people, per-capita exports of only $1,100 USD
US-$1.377 Trillion Dollars 303 million people, capita exports of around $4,545USD

Top 3 Importers
US- $2.19 Trillion (American imports about 82 billion dollars MORE than we export)
Germany-$1.202 Trillion (German exports 33 billion dollars more then they import)
China -$1.156 Trillion (China exports 30 billion dollars more than they import)

I am not even going to mention that Germany (with a smaller population than the US and China) is out exporting us, the most notable statistic is the 33 billion dollar surplus for the Germans. On the flip side, with a bigger population, the US exports less, but imports more. In the export, import game with have an 82 billion dollar deficit. Curious, this figure might help our 10 trillion dollar deficit. We as a nation are over spending what we earn. And this I say to the many who want to blame the people with credit card debt for the problem with the economy. As an entire nation, we are importing more then we export.

I go back to the “Quality of Life” statistic on Health Care. 60% of Americans are dissatisfied with our current health care system. We top all other industrialized nation with the statistic. Germany was not on the list and I can only deduct Germans are happy with their health care system. But despite health care, what do the Germans get for their taxes; high standard, affordable (if not free) college education for all young people in Germany. This bodes well for the Germans as they will continue to advance in innovation, ingenuity well into the future, reaping more and more financial rewards. They get clean, safe reliable public transportation, although Germans love to speed along the Autobahn in fast moving Porsches and most notably, in a statistic that came out last year of the top 12 cities in the world to live, 4 of those cities were in Germany (non were in the United States). The best American city was Honolulu that ranked 25th. Curiously, Germany doesn’t rank as high in wealth, but ranks much higher in standard of living.

The moral of this story and the reason for the research is to demonstrate the difference of Cultural Values. We in the United States place more value on individual wealth and materialism, than we do for our infant mortality rate. Let me put this bluntly to make my point. Many in this country care more for making money then we do for infant mortality. But the even greater ironic twist is the Germans have at least the same if not more consumer spending power than Americans. After all their taxes, they have more disposable cash in their pockets and do not have to stress about the health care of their family, their children’s education or even walking down the street. The moral is for us Americans to decide what do we value; personal wealth or each other? It is now a chance for us to truly define our national identity.

Stock Market Woes vs. Quality of Life

2009-03-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

I’m not a financial expert, nor do I really care for the stock market. More and more we are hearing tales of many brokers and CEO’s who have not been playing by the rules, thus decline of the economy and thus the reason we the tax payer are paying for their corruption and greed. I don’t want the markets to crash, but I think we need to be honest about the problems we face in this country.

With President Obama’s budget on deck that promotes a great deal of change, many of those challenging the bill are stock brokers, investors, CEO’s and well rich people. I really don’t know how they think they can convince the 95% of the population that the additional taxes on the top 5% is going to hurt the country. Yes, they are promoting taxing the rich will hurt the poor. If you believe that, I believe there still swamp land in Florida. I’d just like to add here, President Obama’s current approval ratings, 68% favorable, 19% not favorable, with 47% of the 68% (Highly favorable).

Now several financial “experts” and talking economic pundit heads report news of the budget with such severe bias. They are blaming President Obama’s budget for the stock market slide. But maybe consumers are losing confidence in the stock market by grand scandals of investors and brokers. How many investors today worry their broker is like Bernie Madoff or Allen Stanford? Hey, I know why people may not be investing; corporate CEO’s and brokers have mismanaged their businesses buried deep in corruption. Perhaps why investors lost confidence is bankers and brokers miss used consumer money. Perhaps consumers lost confidence in businesses, and have a greater confidence in the direction Obama wants to take this country. Perhaps it is not the budget in which people are losing confidence, but they are losing confidence in corporations, banks and lenders.

I am not a an economic “expert” but they were all in agreement that curing the health care crisis in this country will not help the economy. Health insurance is grossly expensive-thank you insurance companies and insurance salesman, you make a lot of money of us folks. This health insurance is a burden for people and it is a burden for business which is why American business takes manufacturing overseas to countries with “Nationalized” health care and they hire foreign labor and they don’t have to pay health insurance.

his is how revising the health care system can help the economy. Okay, stay with me here…If companies do not carry the burden of supplying health care for its employees, business can bring back manufacturing and jobs back to America. More manufacturing will create more jobs, giving consumers more money to spend and invest which will help the stock market. Yippee!!!!

But for all these financial experts fearing the changes in our health care system, I will post 2008 Global health care statistics and quality of life. What you will see is America does not rank to well in quality of life. We may be richest nation in the world, but our quality of life is ranks less than most free market, industrialized nation. So I say to all who are concerned, do you care we have one of the highest infant mortality rates in the free, industrialized world? Are we as a nation satisfied with the below? And are CEO’s, financial experts, TV News anchors and politicians content of the below stats?

Life Expectancy (years):

Men Women
Japan 76.2 82.5
France 72.9 81.3
Switzerland 74.1 81.3
Netherlands 73.7 80.5
Sweden 74.2 80.4
Canada 73.4 80.3
Norway 73.1 79.7
Germany 72.6 79.2
Finland 70.7 78.8
United States 71.6 78.6
United Kingdom 72.7 78.2
Denmark 72.2 77.9

Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births):

United States 10.4
United Kingdom 9.4
Germany 8.5
Denmark 8.1
Canada 7.9
Norway 7.9
Netherlands 7.8
Switzerland 6.8
Finland 5.9
Sweden 5.9
Japan 5.0

Death rate of 1-to-4 year olds (per community of 200,000 per year):

United States 101.5
Japan 92.2
Norway 90.2
Denmark 85.1
France 84.9
United Kingdom 82.2
Canada 82.1
Netherlands 80.3
Germany 77.6
Switzerland 72.5
Sweden 64.7
Finland 53.3

Death rate of 15-to-24 year olds (per community of 200,000 per year):

United States 203
Switzerland 175
Canada 161
France 156
Finland 154
Norway 128
Germany 122
Denmark 120
United Kingdom 114
Sweden 109
Japan 96
Netherlands 90

Premature Death (years of life lost before the age of 64 per 100 people):

United States 5.8 years
Denmark 4.9
Finland 4.8
Canada 4.5
Germany 4.5
United Kingdom 4.4
Norway 4.3
Switzerland 4.1
Netherlands 4.0
Sweden 3.8
Japan 3.3

Percent of people who believe their health care system needs fundamental change:

United States 60%
Sweden 58
United Kingdom 52
Japan 47
Netherlands 46
France 42
Canada 38

WAMU Hypocrisy

2009-03-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

This is an update to my ongoing WAMU saga, so get the violins strumming. These are the days of my life. When I last wrote, I made mention that WAMU had me between a rock and hard place and really did not care for my debt or my unemployment, this being after WAMU almost went bankrupt and had to be bought out by Chase. I wrote a letter to WAMU similar to that of a lover scorned, telling them I have contacted my Senators on their callous efforts to help me with my debt. This prompted several phone calls from sweet-talking Customer Relations ladies. I was not to be taken in. I’ve been there before, you question a lover’s faithfulness and what do they do, they swallow you up in kindness with the hint of condescension, “Don’t you trust me?”

I didn’t take their phone calls. I was forthright in what I wanted, a lower interest rate making it possible for me to pay down my debt. So finally it happened, I received a letter from Washington Mutual and they stated this goes against their policies, but they will make an exception for me and lower my default rate. Lower my default rate, do they think I’m stupid? That just means that if am late for a payment they won’t spank me as hard with a penalized fee. This has nothing to do with the interest rate that I continue to pay and not the principle of my debt. It is the obscene interest rate I want lowered so I many have a change to pay down my debt. Thanks Washington Mutual for nothing!

But they didn’t do this without a little dig at a consumer. They reminded me I have a high default rate because back in 2002 (7 years ago) I missed a payment. So bad little consumer and they spanked me on the butt. However, since 2002 I have continually received letters from WAMU increasing my credit limit (without my authorization, or approval) because I was such a good costumer. Well heck, If I’m just a good costumer-lower my interest rate so I have an opportunity to pay down my principle, but you see, this goes against everything this creditors stand for. They want us in their debt.

Unfortunately, I am not in the position to barter with WAMU at this time, but rest assured when the time comes, I will no longer be a WAMU customer. Many will blame me for my debt in which I do take responsibility, but the point is they are making it near impossible for me to pay off despite being a good customer for seven years. What aggravates me is these credit corporations act so coy and condescending, yet have the nerve to advertise how much they care for the consumer. Right!

Fear and Loathing of Socialism-Individual Liberities

2009-03-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Ah, there is just so much I have to say, I think I will divide this blog into several. For today’s blog, I want to focus on Rush Limbaugh’s speech at the CPAC Convention (or as Keith Olbermann refers to him “The Comedian”). Rush Limbaugh cited, “What is so strange about being honest and saying, I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? Why would I want that to succeed?" Individual liberties, you say Rush? Okay, let’s talk individual liberty.

When I was younger I remember a woman who had Hodgkin’s disease. Since she could not get medical coverage for her “condition”, she was forced to place a jar at cashier stands at restaurants and stores hoping people would offer their change. Now just recently I heard a “patriotic” American declare he did not want to pay for another American’s healthcare, but let me tell you something that jar at the cashier stand was always full. Many good Americans gave to another in need and to me that is patriotism. Sharing benefits and wealth is patriotism. I do believe MOST Americans have the heart and feel the civic duty to help another in need. This was evidently true during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Where our government failed, the American people were to open not only their wallets but their homes as well.
Today many are going bankrupt because they cannot afford the health insurance for their illness. Today people are being declined health care because they have pre-existing conditions. Families are going into debt because they cannot handle the premiums and deductibles of insurance companies. Small businesses are going out of business because they can’t afford the health care insurance. Corporations are moving American industry overseas and providing labor to other countries with socialized medicine (Canada). Why are we losing American jobs? Big corporations do not want to pay for our health care, so they provide labor to the countries that do. So, I ask you. Does that sound like big business cares for Americans?

Today, many families lie awake at night worrying how they are going to send their children to college. Many students today are graduating with thousands of dollars of debt, without even getting their first job. They are starting out their adult lives in debt. We are losing our competitive edge in the world because our standard of education is falling and many students drop out because they cannot afford to attend. How can we compete in a global market when we cannot afford to send our children to college?

What Rush Limbaugh/Comedian wants is what is good for “him” and promoting the fear of lost individual liberties. Today our individual liberties are at the hand of the corporations, not at the hand of the government. We lose individual liberty when we can’t afford health care. We lose individual liberty when we can’t compete in getting a good education and we lose individual liberty when we graduate all ready deep in debt. We lose individual liberties when credit companies, “at their discretion” can change our loan terms that keep consumers in debt. We lose individual liberties when bank CEO run their companies into the ground and we the American taxpayer need to bail them out, only for them to buy corporate jets. We lose individual liberties when CEO’s mismanaged their businesses and lay off workers and we lose individual liberties when we must stand in unemployment lines. We lose individual liberties when corporate sponsors invest in media mouths and politicians who do not have the best intentions for the average American, but only want to reap more wealth for them. What Rush Limbaugh doesn’t realize is we have already lost many of our individual liberties at the hands of big business.

It is only with these individual liberties that we can pursue our individual dreams and give us the ability to be more creative and innovative. How can we do this when we are in debt? How can we do this when we are stressed about health insurance? To me anyone who doesn’t want to share the benefits with fellow Americans and who doesn’t want to lend a hand to help fellow Americans are not patriotic Americans. True patriotic Americans care for all Americans, not just themselves and those of like minds.

Colleges give Russell Athletics the Work Over

2009-02-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

Ah, there is hope for our future-sort of. Yesterday news surfaced the Russell Athletics’ factory in Honduras laid off about 2,000 people declaring the reason is the bad economy; however the truth may be because factory workers in Honduras attempted to unionize for better working conditions and benefits. Information has risen that unionizing workers were harassed by factory managers and this obviously goes against fair labor practices here and abroad. Ironically Russell Athletic took the opportunity to blame the economy for their poor management and oversight of an overseas factory. Yes, even those laborers in Honduras have rights.

The news spread quickly and several colleges including the University of Minnesota, Penn State, Cornell and others have all cancelled their license agreements with Russell Athletic in regards to the allegations. What gives me hope for our future is students in Minnesota will be marching in protest to Russell Athletic and more and more students are seeing the value in industry and labor.

In reading all the economic news having studied economics and even worked in a global industry I am beginning to see a clear distinction between two separate theories. One theory is the “finance gurus and experts.” Personally these people remind me of the “Little Pigs” nursery rhyme. “This little piggy went to market, this little piggy cried wee, wee, wee, all the way home.” You got it, financier’s masterminds of stocks, investments, credits and mortgages.

The second economic ideology is developing businesses based on the supply and demand of goods and services. You research the consumers, find a demand and you supply the product or service to make a profit. This works on the small businesses, large corporations and as a nations import/export GNP. This would be a good way to get the US budget and deficit back on track; start producing here in the US and exporting goods to other nations. Look, we condemn consumers for spending more than they earn. Well, that is exactly what our corporations should be doing. We are not EARNING money at the global level, we are buying more, importing more and exporting less. It is these products and services that drive our economy and our society.

What is interesting to me is hearing the voices of college students and young entrepreneurs calling on industry and as one young man put it, “Economics 101.” It is good to see young people holding the bad behavior of corporations accountable. It is indeed their future, let’s here from the newly economic educated, because honestly, the financiers, pundits and so forth are not doing us any good. We need to start listening to people who understand the basics of economics, not people who just want to get rich on investments and hock credit.

Das Kapital (Capital) One!

2009-02-24T07:37:00.001-08:00

Instead of Barbarians, I would suggest Capital One change their mascot to Dictators. You can pick you Dictator of choice. You see, a dictator is an authoritarian ruler who assumes absolute power without question. This is what I believe after receiving a letter from Capital One on Friday.

In attempts to provide “good” and “honest” communication Capital One advised me that despite me being a good costumer they were raising my default rate (I learned later I was not the only one. My friend received the same letter). Of course they do give me the opportunity to decline the new terms, but if I do so they will cancel my account. In a nutshell Capital advised me to take their increased default rate or I will be denied credit. It is Capital One’s way or the highway. Now, I must advise I have held a zero balance on this card for more than six months. So you may ask why is Capital One raising my default rate. They are not making any money off of me because I am not using my card. I have another Capital One card that contains a balance and that default rate is not being increased. They are raising my default rate on a card with good credit, and keeping the same for my other card with a balance. Anyway you look at this, it is abusive and threatening the consumer.

In an ironic twist of fate I have paid of my debt more than six months ago and when I tried to close my account, Capital One hung up on me. They tried to get me to jump through hoops to keep my account open, so I did. I left my account open, but now never use. NOW, Capital One is threatening to close my account. WHY BY ALL MEANS! This is what I was trying to do six months ago. It is almost laughable.

Once again, I’d like to remind that Capital One received a 3.1 Billion dollar bail out last year. It was California House of Representative Maxine Waters who questioned banks who receive tax payer bailout money who was raising rates. Well Madame Walters – Capital One is increasing rates on good costumers. This is actually shocking to me when Capital One seems to have plenty of money for their Barbarian advertising campaign seen on every channel, but now I’m not so sure if those Barbarians are the fun and frisky Barbarians we have all grown to love and adore. Now it seems they are the raping and pillaging Barbarians reminiscent of a past time and in that case, perhaps I’ll take a maniacal dictator. Perhaps if Capital One is hurting financially, instead of taking it out on good consumers they should reduce their advertising budget.

Then I saw a commercial that was indeed a real head scratcher. Capital One, along with other banks is claiming to care for the consumers well being and in their words, “Here to help.” I’d have to ask, do they know the meaning of help?

Anyone with half a brain will know this is in the spirit of gauging and exploiting the consumer. In times of economic hardship everyone must sacrifice, including credit card companies. Perhaps in the spirit of “Helping” they should lower rates and remove expensive advertising campaigns from television, or better yet, temporarily lower the salaries of CEO’s and upper management. Why should they continue to get rich while we are suffering? All consumers demand is an equal playing field, consumer rights and an opportunity to pay down debts.

Vive American Industrial Revolution

2009-02-23T08:12:00.001-08:00

Sometimes my tiny little brain gets to thinking about the state of our economy and the state of our nation. I asked myself, “What would the great industrialists of our country think about our current economic situation?” What would John D. Rockefeller think of us buying oil from our enemies? What would Andrew Carnegie think of us outsourcing steel production to China? What would Cornelius Vanderbilt think about his extensive rail lines left to decay and deteriorate, not to mention America’s distaste for public transportation? And mostly, what would Henry Ford think seeing the Automobile industry go bankrupt to the Germans and Japanese? These are just a few great men who built our country. What have we done with their legacy? What do we have to show for their enterprising spirit?

There is such a flux and flutter about the state of the stock market and investors are all befuddled. I have something to ask? What is it actually we have been INVESTING IN? Let’s examine this. We have been investing in credit, securities and mortgages. We have been investing in foreign industry or at least American companies with foreign plants and workers. And most importantly we have been investing in rich people’s portfolios. We simply have not been investing in America. What we have NOT been investing in is American Industry which our forefathers have provided.

My father bought up some very great points. One of the downfalls of American industry is we do not know how to modernize. For this I suggest we haven’t invested in keeping up the railroads and trains. Modern, high speed and comfortable trains is one of the main means of transportation throughout Europe. In fact, it is enjoyable just to ride, even if you don’t have to do anywhere. In regards to the auto industry, we fell behind the times in what consumers wanted and new hybrid technology that our foreign competition has excelled.

For many, industry is simply hard and sometimes dirty, tedious work. In some cases we have become complacent and we have outsourced work we don’t want to do, sewing factories, customer service call centers. The Chinese are getting rich, doing work for American companies, to sell back to American consumers. That is hardly investing in the American economy. Why are we investing in American corporations who are employing and supporting a foreign workforce and foreign economies, and we the American taxpayer are losing our jobs and bailing out such companies? It is time to bring American industry back to America.

So go on, continue to blame your neighbor down street for his credit card debt, or for buying a house outside his price range. Yeah, that’s it. That’s the reason for the economic collapse. Or perhaps it is another thing, three little words we have forgotten in the American vocabulary – Gross National Product. Perhaps it is time for another Industrial Revolution.

The Media - "Merely Wires and Lights in a Box"

2009-02-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

Outrage is not necessarily the feeling I have with the media these days; in fact it is a joke. The media is laughable. Whether broadcasters are distorting truths to suit personal agendas or sponsors, or they merely keep silent, boasting claims of neutrality and unbiased. Both of these types of journalism I find destructive to our country. Today’s media well brings new meaning to the term media circus. In fact I would like to describe the media as a journey to Oz and all our reporters and anchors are skipping along the yellow brick road in search of brains, hearts and courage. Oh Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore.

Many would argue the 1st Amendment, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but this brings up challenges within itself. What if the freedom of speech and press is inflammatory and spews hate and fear that could destroy the very fabric of our nation? Obvious example today is the inflammatory cartoon in the NY Post and it is the continued broadcast of people’s accusations of one another, blaming fellow Americans for the economic crisis. This is ignorant and narrow minded journalism.

I am reminded of the movie, “Good Night and Good Luck,” about journalist Edward R Murrow and his quest to undo the harmful lies, twisted ideologies and fear mongering from Senator Joseph McCarthy who was propagating fear throughout the county of communist infiltration. Many innocent Americans were being arrested because they were believed to be communists or communist sympathizers. This was less than Sixty years ago and yet today the lessons of this are still not learned by many in our nation. It was journalist Edward R Murrow who had the courage, the conviction and found it to be his responsibility to challenge McCarthy and bring him to justice. It was his speech below that should set the president for today’s media.

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that
accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due
process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven
by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine,
and remember that we are not descended from fearful men — not from men who
feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes that were, for the
moment, unpopular.”

Edward R Murrow

I am personally flabbergasted by the lies and mistruths that are being broadcasted today and left unchallenged (ideologies left open for the American public to decide). Responsibility is in the hands of the messenger. The American public is not allowed in press rooms, we do not read what comes off the wire daily and we simply do not have access to where the true really lies. In the state of our nation today, it is vitally important the Americans are presented the TRUTH and not someone’s personal agenda or ideology. The only journalist I have seen question, challenge and untwist mistruths is Keith Olbermann and ironically it is he who reminds us of the courageous Edward R Murrow.

Today’s lies and distorted facts that are allowed to be broadcast are dangerous. The problem being is we do not have a crystal ball to see if and how the hateful lies being broadcast will affect our future, maybe not at all or maybe it will inspire violence that would outrage this entire nation, turn all of us against one another and spark a violent revolution. Yes, it has happened before in our nation and it can happen again. And this time, the blood will be on the journalist’s hands, who have presented lies, promoted fear and hate and stood idly by believing it is not their job to challenge.

We have seen in our nation’s history and world history how lies and twisted truths can devastate a nation. We have seen how the promotion of fear and paranoia can play out in people’s minds and hearts. And this is the journalist’s grave responsibility to present the facts, that are not glossed over and sugar coated, not with special effects that dazzle and not with the opinions of people who really have no concept of what is truly going on in the world. It is dangerous.
I leave you with another Edward R Murrow speech seen here from the movie Good Night and Good Luck. Only with good, solid honest information do we have the power to change the world for the better. Good Night and Good Luck.

News and Economy - America Stuck in Desire

2009-02-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

This blog was originally going to be a rant on particular network news channel for what I find to be mediocre and vanilla drivel, but after sleeping on it I have to admit that wouldn’t be fair. So what I decided to do was to compare and contrast last night’s news stories and as Anderson Cooper would say, “Let the American viewers decide.” You see, my thought is there needs to be responsiblity in journalism to broadcast truths and perhaps hardlines that may perhaps be unsettling to viewers instead of sugar-coating the news. Journalists need to have the same principles of national reponsibility as big business and politicians. Let's see below.

It must be a slow night for CNN news because senior political correspondent Candy Crowley spent the time and effort doing a piece on a sad, sad man who was upset that because of the economy and stimulus he needs to pay for all those irresponsible Americans out there who are living beyond their means. Oh woe is me! As my grandmother would say, “Cry me a river.” Here is my problem with this reporting, it is not only narrow minded, but irresponsible as it fuels even more paranoia and fear in people’s minds. It promotes greater dissension in the country. This story is about one man's opinion and NOT NEWS. It is a time when we should be encouraging the American public to band together in a sign of national unity instead of blaming the neighbors down the street and whining about individual personal issues. Hum, we all have them.

In contrast and as a follow up to my Buy American blog, I’d like to thank Rachel Maddow for reporting that it appears that GM and Chrysler will potentially lay off 50,000 more workers, and will be phasing out BRANDS of automobiles. Say goodbye America to the The PT Cruiser, Saturn, the Hummer, the Dodge Durango’s and the Pontiac. These cars will no longer be produced. America say goodbye to our beloved automobile industry. You may ask why this is an important story and why I should care if the automobile industry goes out of business. I have a job. I pay my bills. It is not my problem. Here is why this is every American's problem and is NEWS.

The layoffs and the phasing out of entire brands of automobiles will trickle down to other jobs. Automobile retailers will falter. Bank and lenders who gives loans for cars will suffer. Mechanics will suffer and so will those who sell car parts. More unemployment will affect restaurant business and retailers and they too will go out of business. Not to mention those who produce for retailers, as I have learned recently, Nike is about to lay off 1400 workers. And not only will this be a national problem, this will be a global one as well.

Secondly, Americans have a love affair with cars. We love them so much we buy oil from our enemies to keep our cars on the road and we have forgone building a massive public transportation system so we can keep driving. That saddest thing about this is the automobile industry was pioneered by America. For nearly a century we have taken great pride in American automobiles, now we are giving up the industry to mostly the Germans and the Japanese – two nations we kicked ass in WWII. The Germans have done it so well, that not only do we love the Mercedes Bens, their repair labor is expensive and parts have to be specially ordered from Germany.

But what I see is the biggest problem here is our continuing lack of industry in America. Economics 101 folks; you spend money, (stimulus) or (capital) to produce/manufacture a product that you sell and you receive profit. With that money, you produce more and gain more profit. A problem is our nation today leans heavily on importing product and labor from other countries when we are exporting less. Not many, outside America are buying American and that is a huge problem. We are losing the export, import game and with that means we are losing profit and money for our nation. We are losing profit and capital that stimulate our economy and keep the wheels turning. So while the world is creating business with industry, we are devising easy, get rich quick schemes.

So when America is losing industry and spending our money on foreign made products what will be left for us to do? How will we survive in the global market if we position ourselves as the world’s consumers? China and Germany have become rich nations selling Americans their products. What are we selling to them? We once had a booming auto industry, now that is failing. We buy foreign oil to keep our cars on the road. The cheap crap market of toys and electronics is cornered by Asia. The Europeans have the haute couture and fancy-schmacy market. Agriculture, we were once considered the bread basket, but we sold priceless farm land for big houses that people can’t afford and strip malls that stand empty. Now we are losing that market to South America. What market does America own–Ah yes, the porn industry. And that is a mouthful, PUN INTENDED.

So America – you decide. We can continue wallowing in our self indulgent misery and finger pointing our neighbors down the street, or unite as the “United States” and figure how we can bring our industry and our jobs back to America. If not, the future may suggest we may eventually end up as China’s labor force and trust me that would not be fun.

Buy American - Bring Jobs Back Home.

2009-02-18T07:37:00.000-08:00

Throughout my career in the fashion industry, many, including members of my own family, challenged me on the overseas production of apparel. My answer is the same now, as it was years ago. If fashion companies produced clothing in the United States, you would not be able to afford it. I don’t necessarily think overseas production is a good thing, when we have a perfectly good workforce here in America, but the honest to goodness truth is labor is much less expensive overseas and that effects the consumer retail price. We can complain about overseas labor and we complain about high retail prices. Take your pick.

Even though the above may be true, many people that I have come across have vowed to make a practice of buying American made. In today’s economic climate, I think this is even more important to do so, taking into consideration the oil we buy from those who want to see our demise and the toys we purchase that are made with harmful chemicals. But they are not the only reasons to buy American. Lately, the American economy has been built on “credit” and not the production of goods and services. And let’s face it; the production of goods and services is making many nations such as China a very rich and powerful country. In a sense, we (Americans) have taken ourselves out of the production and manufacturing game. What do we actually produce? What is actually made here?

In regards to the credit industry, they too are outsourcing American jobs overseas in attempts to “save money” and bring home a benefit to the American consumer. I experienced this personally when I had a serious question about my Capital One account and had to explain it someone who’s second language was English. It was indeed very frustrating to express my issue to someone who didn’t speak my language, but then maybe that is whole point of credit card companies outsourcing customer service-they really don’t want to hear our challenges and complaints.

But now America finds itself in a very precarious situation. Our unemployment is staggering, closing in on 4 million people. Large states such as California are facing bankruptcy. Our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling and the banks are losing assets. Now, let’s just take credit card companies for example, who are outsourcing jobs. Many of these companies are receiving tax payer bailout money, for them to pay salaries to non-Americans overseas. Here’s a suggestion, if they care that much for the American consumer, take back those overseas jobs and employ a portion of that 4 million unemployed. Why not employ those taxpayers who are giving you bail out money? You see, this is the problem. We have outsourced so much we are not giving opportunity to employ the people who live here, and all for the sake of making a profit. And it is then, why we wonder why our economy is in shambles. We have pretty much pimped ourselves out to the rest of the world and now have very little to show for it. We need to bring American ingenuity, manufacturing and jobs back home.

Credit Card Companies - The Catch Twenty Two

2009-02-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

I’m sorry, but the credit card system is a joke. It is getting harder and harder for me to read any more articles in regards to credit cards or the credit crisis. I agree, not to carry balances on credit cards, but for too many folks there is no other way around it. I still stand firmly behind the ideology, if you can pay off your credit cards every month – You don’t need a credit card. Pay with a debit card, or cash. Credit cards were established to buy high-ticket household appliances, like refrigerators. You receive credit from a store and then overtime pay off. That was the idea-initially, but then some greedy SOB learned how to make money off of people who are in debt. TA-DAAA.

So often we blame the consumer by saying, “We spend too much.” Perhaps that is true, but then it is the banks and lenders who go out of their way to keep us in debt. Washington Mutual continually increased my limit, without my consent and yes that money came in handy, but it also put me into debt. Now they continually increase my interest rate and told me that it is not their business to help me pay down my debt. What is the point in that? The point is, me not holding debt, is less money for Washington Mutual. They want me in their debt. How responsible is this?

I had several credit cards and I wanted to reduce the number of them. I called to close my Capital One account, so I could be a more responsible credit card holder. Keep and manage credit on two cards instead of three. When I did not want to listen to the sales pitch of Capital One customer service agent, he HUNG UP ON ME, and never closed my account. Unaware my account as never closed, a charge appeared on my next bill and when I called, (and spoke to an outsourced Indian customer service representative, whom I could barely understand) they had to nerve to tell my account was never closed. When I tried to do the responsible thing and be a responsible consumer, Capital One hung up on me.

I am not an advocate to get rid of credit cards. I am an advocate for playing fair. If consumers need to put a lot of money on credit cards, for god sake make it possible to pay down debts, without gross interest rates and do not special offers for discounts to encourage additional spending. And do not promote using your card to “Live Richly.” Credit card companies are grossly irresponsible and I think everyone needs to be aware, it’s not us-it’s them.

Credit Corporations - They're just not that into you

2009-02-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

For the life of me, I will never understand America’s obsession with credit cards. What is so awesome about them? Look folks credit card corporations are like that savvy bad boy, or that promiscuous hot chick we all drool over. They will woo you with flowery talk of convenient spending, increased spending power and ooh, baby cash back rewards. They will appeal to our tender nature talking of the environment, charity and our youth. They will say everything we want to hear to get us, hum, well to spend with them…

Many folks of good credit take great pride in their financial responsibility and sense they have the respect of these creditors. In reality, you’re like the clingy do-good lover who does the bad boy’s laundry and changes the oil of the hot chick’s car. Yeah, it keeps you in good favor, but they really don’t have the hots for you. That is why, now that the credit market is say, diseased, you are the ones feeling it most. You played the game and you played the game well and when things get messy, you too wind up dirty and feeling abused.

You know what makes creditor’s hot-spending their money. Creditors love the wild ones; they love ones who burn through credit like it is going out of style. Man that is hot! Why, because creditors make money off debts with high interest rate. Why the heck do you think they make it so hard for you to pay down? Creditors like everyone else love the big spenders and they hold onto those debts like a smothering lover, vowing never to let you go.

So why is it many go out of their way to solicit the benefits of credit cards, promote teaching youth to respect corporations that are really not into the consumer? Why promote financial literacy of credit corporations when credit corporations will only change their ways in order to gain more profit? What would you say to a friend who was in an emotionally or mentally abusive relationship, “Try harder to gain their love, or do whatever takes to keep in their good favor?” No, you’d tell them to stay away and then warn all your friends not to get involved. But thanks to deregulation and the unconscious spending of consumers, are entire lives are wrapped and warped in plastic little cards. We can’t live with them and we can’t live without them-just like the U2 love song.

Remember corporations and the credit laws are not on the consumer side-not yet anyway. Why would we want to participate in their jungle credit love when there are other fish in the sea?

Trickle Down Economic Irresponsibility

2009-02-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

Throughout the past couple months, especially after the time the stock market started to crumble I would read articles and blogs blaming poor folks for taking out mortgages they couldn’t afford and irresponsible consumers with bad credit. This is who they blamed for the problem with the economy. I will get down on my knees and beg to differ.

Our nation for nearly the past thirty years was operating on “Reaganomics,” and the trickle down economic theory. In layman’s terms Reaganonmics give tax breaks and deregulate corporations to achieve in business and this will trickle down to the middle income sector and further. All though we have seen a boom over the past thirty years in materialism what happened is big business kept most of what they achieved for themselves and passed down very little to Middle America. We watched corporate CEO’s get stinking rich and in many cases Middle America spent themselves into debt to emulate.

Over the past eight years of the Bush administration fewer regulations were put on large corporations and these corporations did not have to be responsible for their money or how they treated the consumer. They were allowed to get away with almost anything and as some suspect today, crime. Even after bail out money was given to financial companies in trouble, these financial companies used for some very unsavory business. One example I learned yesterday was Bank of American used their government bailout money for the Republican campaign. So to all you Democrats out there in the internet abyss, Bank of American used your tax dollars to fund the Republican Party who is greatly responsible for the economic mess we are into today. Let me reiterate, Bank of American used government money to buy back government favor. This is called corruption. This is not only gross irresponsibility, this is shameful and a slap in the face to the American public.

So when our corporations are not spending their funds wisely and our government “loses” track where the bailout money is going and not holding corporations accountable for how they spend it, how the heck can anyone place the blame on the America consumer. The American consumer is just like a young child following the lead of their parents. The moral of the story is if you spend without a conscious and your heart is filled with greed and materialism at some point it will catch up with you. And for those of people who champion Reaganomics and the “Trickle Down” theory, congratulations it worked.

Credit Cards - What happens when we die?

2009-02-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

With so many proponents of credit cards out there in the world vowing the undying benefits of credit cards and all those people teaching our youth financial literary there is one thing I must convey. Credit card companies do not care about consumers. They don’t care about our youth; all they see is dollar signs. They don’t care about our elderly, they don’t care about the sick and as I learned on Friday from Washington Mutual-they don’t care about the unemployed. They don’t even want us to pay down our debt, because it is our debt that makes them more money. People-credit card companies WANT you to carry debt. That is their goal. Why do you think they want you to live richly?

I know we all believe their warm and fuzzy advertisements of priceless moments, opportunities and dreams come true. Yes, it is the credit card companies who extend their godly hands of life, but what happens when we die. As buried in the fine print, you can go default on a credit card if you die. Yes, folks you can breech your credit card contract by dying. And while you’re mourning the loss of a loved one, a creditor will find you and ask, “Who is going to cover their debt?” Wow, doesn’t that tug at the old heart strings. Hey, credit card companies will grant you life, but you better as heck not die on them. More ironic, dying is listed as number three. Yes, dying is less important to credit card companies then you failing to pay your monthly payment.

In watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann on Friday night, he broadcasted once such a story and I will paraphrase…

A son called a credit card company to report his mother had passed. The customer service represented asked, “Oh, so you will be paying off her balance?”

“No, “ the son replied, “I will not.”

“Well, don’t you think you’re mother would have wanted you to pay for her debt,” replied the customer service representative.

“No. I don’t. I am not liable for her balance and I am not going to pay for it.”

“Well, you know this won’t look good on her credit score, “ replied the credit card company agent. “You wouldn’t want your mother to have a bad credit score.”

I wanted to tell this story to showcase the ridiculousness of our credit card system and why I can’t understand why so many Americans have bought into it. Don't tell me I stand alone with Keith Olbermann by finding this absurd. I understand there are people out there in the world who have managed their credit well and I do understand they are people who have learned to work the “system” to get rich off other consumers, but the honest to goodness truth is most Americans have difficulty paying their bills with the money they earn in salary. And in these cases, best intentions are tossed out the door. To stop the naysayers in their tracks about consumer irresponsibility, sometimes natural disasters, illness and other emergencies come into play that cause debt, not just financial irresponsibility. Please don’t be so narrow minded.

Regardless what side of the consumer fence you stand, good credit or bad credit, I simply do not understand why so many Americans put so much value on credit cards, when credit card companies do not even value our lives. I seriously do not understand why we want to continue carrying the burden, not to mention pass that burden onto a children for corporations that only want to profit from our hardship. I don’t get it.

Washtington Mutual Bank - No Bail Out for Consumers

2009-02-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

I am recently unemployed and still paying my credit cards every month on time, but as the economy gets worse, so will it be for me and for many other American Consumer. As per the advice of many credit card experts, I have called Washington Mutual to see if they can help me reduce my minimum payment since I have been laid off. I have been a costumer for over ten years and over the years, I have paid my debt in full and now due to rough times I find myself again in debt. When I explained my situation, telling them I want to continue paying down my debt, but it will grow difficult in this economic climate, their answer was a flat NO. “So sorry for your situation, but we’re not in the practice of helping our customers pay off debt, we’d rather make more money off your misery.” Washington Mutual Bank does not offer services to help people with a payment plan. Washington Mutual Bank will not help their customers lower their debt, even if it means slightly lowering interest rates to give their costumers the CHANCE to pay down.

As a reminder to all, Washington Mutual Bank was going bankrupt and needed to be purchased by JP Morgan & Company. Washington Mutual Bank WAS BAILED OUT! So let me get this straight, banks and creditor’s are being BAILED OUT by other companies and the government YET they will not extend the same benefit to their consumers? Something does not make sense! Why doesn’t Washington Mutual Bank just go out and buy an expensive commode for their CEO’s or fly managers in a private jet to a reclusive resort? It begs the question – WHO IS BAILING OUT THE AMERICAN CONSUMER?

When the unemployment rate is skyrocketing and people are having more difficulty paying down their bills and paying down their debts, the banks who are receiving TARP money cannot share with those they are lending? What harm would it be for Washington Mutual to lower my grossly inflated interest rate to give me the opportunity to pay down my debt, while they themselves are getting a handouts from others? This is absolutely revolting.

Teaching Teens about Credit Cards

2009-02-06T07:31:00.001-08:00

First off, I must state profoundly that I support education on any subject including credit cards, but deep down in my heart something is just not quite right. I have several challenges to teaching credit card financing and giving credit cards to teens. And first I make this comparison. Teaching your teen about credit cards and giving them a credit card to me is like teaching your teen about sex and then handing them a condom. “Go ahead Timmy you’re going to need to practice to be good at it. You need to build your score.”

You may say, “Well, sex is completely different.” Is it? Is it really? Like credit card spending, it is something we all do, some become obsessed and overindulge, and if not careful you can find yourself in a very awkward situation. Credit card spending is very much like sex, and that euphoric and sometimes ill feeling we all have afterward.

An argument for teaching teens how to use credit cards is so they understand the rules and can begin to establish a credit score. Personally, I feel offering credit cards to teens is big business lowering the spending demographic to make more profit for themselves, but I digress. In regards the theories of teaching teens credit, I will tackle these ideologies separately. First, I agree WE all need to learn the rules and read the fine print, but perhaps it is best we teach teens the fundamentals of earning and spending. Have your teen get a part time job, earn money and learn to spend what they earn instead of developing bad habits of paying out of convenience. It is convenience spending that gets all of us in trouble. Start with the basics, and if your teen shows responsibility with their money then start them on a credit card with a very minimum limit. If you see your teen not being responsible with their cash, then they’re not ready to graduate to a credit card.

FICO and Credit scores are an insidious ideology that absolutely with no doubt needs reformation. It is a trap by big businesses to keep tabs on our financial habits, provokes exploits of rising and lowering of credit limits and interest rates. I probably could not have said this a year ago, but now many people with good scores find their credit scores drop at the whims of creditors in this banking crisis. Why would anyone want to be a prisoner in this system? It is bad and in most cases consumers have very little rights. Why would you teach your teen to be part of a system that is geared to exploit?

And lastly, teaching fiscal responsibility is a good thing, but what about teaching them reality of an adult life; home improvements, car repairs, children, job loss, sickness or injury. All these things cost money and could put a good consumer in deep debt and lower their credit score. You see, the challenge is we have no choices other than credit cards to pay for emergencies. Bank loans have gone out the window. Payment options are going out of style. So one $2,000.00 repair bill will start the debt and most likely you can’t pay that off in one month, so interest is tacked onto it, and then next month something else happens that requires a credit card purchase. You see the downward spiral. For some who make a good salary may not have issue with this, but if your salary barely covers your bills-you’re screwed. And kids out of college do not make that much money to start! Teach your kids that.

The reality is, in regards to credit cards- the cards are stacked against consumers. I see two choices for parents, teach your child fiscal responsible, give them a credit card and wish them luck, or become an advocate for creditor regulation and fiscal change in this country. And how can you teach your child fiscal responsibility when big business is not fiscally responsible? Why have your children carry the burden when there is little legislation to keep big business from exploiting the consumer? I say fight for your children’s financial freedom and future and give them new legislation so the laws on their side, not big business.

Again, I stress, teaching teens about their finances is a good thing, but let’s not put the burden on them, the burden lies on us to overcome the financial traps and pitfalls of big business and give our youth a strong economy and fiscal freedom in the future.

Credit "Reporters" caught Spying-AGAIN!

2009-02-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

That of course is not new, but I had a tiny little hissy fit yesterday when finding out a “Free Credit Report” company was spying on my credit report. And that surprised me? What turnip trunk did I fall off of? While deleting spam messages I saw an email with the subject, “Negative mark appeared on your credit report.” Furious, I logged onto their site (National Credit Reporting) and issued a complaint. STOP SPYING ON ME! Good Lord, creditors are worse than the Government’s Patriot Act. There is so much wrong with this, I just can’t imagine why more Americans are not mad as hell.

First let me state to you the obvious. Creditors and even Credit Marketers (I reiterate –MARKETERS) have the ability to peruse your credit report, while you (the owner of the credit score) can only look at once a year. So while you’re sitting around waiting until next year to get a free look at your credit score, anyone else can! AGAIN, while others can look at your report for free, YOU HAVE TO PAY! Does that sound like a fair deal?

While many Americans are struggling to pay their bills and many more are unemployed (myself included), it is grossly obscene for these credit score people poking around our finances looking for something to report. It is like journalists snooping through celebrity’s garbage to get a juicy scoop and it is like the obnoxious kid in school who would always tell the teacher, “Bob is misbehaving again!” If they really want to see who is misbehaving, check out all the CEO’s who are buying jets and throwing lavish parties on tax payer money. How are consumers to be responsible if our businesses are not?

Do not be naive. These “Free Credit Report” folks are not doing you any favors by monitoring your credit. It is a money making scheme at your expense – pure and simple. Their sale tactics are fear; fear someone is stealing your identity and fear someone has reported something negatively, or made a mistake. As FDR quoted, “You have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” Don’t let fear be the reason you are spending your hard earned cash.

Do not be taken in by fear tactics to extort money from you. It is probably cheaper for you to monitor yourself and pay the fee to see your credit report on your own. If you are afraid of someone stealing your identity why would you hire a company and its employees to view your finances and where do you think a lot of credit fraud comes from-from inside these companies and their employees, not from your neighbor down the street. And secondly, if you are struggling to pay your bills why should you PAY more to have someone monitor your credit score? It makes absolutely no sense.

After my little tantrum subsided, I wrote a letter to two of my congressmen in Oregon. Here is what I asked/proposed.

Why can’t consumers have full time/free access to their credit scores?

How can creditors and worse credit marketers monitor our score to extort fear money from us?

How can consumers hide their credit score from unwanted solicitations and should we have the ability to give permission to those to access, say if we were buying a house, car or god forbid we need for a job.(Which is TOTAL BULLSHIT)

Consumers need protection and it is our job to tell our legislators we are tired of being taken for
granted. We are tired of being exploited due to fear. I hope this blog has incited some anger in hopes many will contact their state legislator to demand consumer production and free access to our credit scores. It is simply unfair we have to pay someone to monitor credit reports, which we do not have access to see.

A Credit POEM - Ode to the Credit Consumer

2009-02-03T09:36:00.000-08:00

Ode to the Credit Consumer

Written with love from your creditor

Casual credit consumer, we have yet to secure
Fear not, we care little for your score
For those who have little to insure
We love you even more.

Here to offer your desire lavishly
To help you live most richly
As we have probed all your expenditures
Excessive, irresponsible, superfluous, immature

Remember me, your creditor in kind
For all your purchases we remind
As we provide those priceless moments
For all your kindred and opponents

We see the power of increased spending
Sew up your empty pockets with easy mending
So use us, dear consumer without a care
For we will handle you with great interest there

Although in person we will never meet
Shop until the soles wear to your feet
In time our love will fill to maximum store
For in the end, you are in debt with us evermore

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2009-02-03T08:21:00.001-08:00

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Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses

2009-02-02T10:54:00.000-08:00

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

These are words inscribed at the base of our Statue of Liberty, words that have welcomed and inspired our ancestors and now these words are merely broken promises. In fact, our tired and huddled masses are rejected and looked down upon. We have ignored completely the poor, tired and huddled victims that still sit in poverty after Hurricane Katrina. It is ironic, because many of our ancestors arrived through New York harbor with nothing more than the clothes on their back. It is the poor immigrants who have worked hard, with blood, sweat and even tears to build America for their future generations. Their dedication and ingenuity created the great infrastructure and lead the world in the industrial revolution. Now, we have let the infrastructure decay in lieu of our own desire for wealth and materialism.

Today, this land gives promise to the selfish and “Get Rich,” schemes; getting rich off of credit cards, get very rich when business is bad. It doesn’t matter who you exploit in the process. It doesn’t matter if you actions harm the national economy. Even President Obama has made claim, “There will be plenty of time to get rich, NOW is not the time.” These “Get Rich” schemes offer nothing only the shuffling of credit or an investment on paper. There is nothing tangible produced, nor service rendered. It is only money that collapses into a great abyss of nothingness. We make money and create riches with nothing to show, nothing produced. Do you think that is what the great ancestors of our nation wanted us to proceed? We are taking for granted all our ancestors have devoted to us, just like a rich kid from a wealthy family. And may I point out, what do the “Rich” truly contribute to society? What does Paris Hilton and Kim Kardarshian contribute other than entertainment for their debutante debauchery. It is the common man that keeps this nation’s wheels churning.

I take no issue with the desire for financial success in fact it is a goal I too possess. What sickens me is the desire for wealth in excess at the exploitation of others and a desire for richness with blindness to the events happening in our country. I watched Suze Orman answer online questions on a CNN broadcast. While others were worried about losing their jobs, feeding and sheltering their families, CNN had the nerve to broadcast this question, “I am inheriting 50 million dollars from my grandfather, how do I best invest my money to make more.” Goody two-shoes for richy, rich, but grossly offensive when ten percent of Americans are standing in unemployment lines with more to follow.

Another caller on CNN flaunted with great arrogance their spectacular credit score and how great they are with their finances. “How do I get by when others are screwing up the system?” Let me put this straight out there, if you are middle American making JUST enough money to pay the bills and feed your family-what happens when a car breaks down, home repairs, sickness or accidents. It doesn’t matter how good you are with paying your bills. You will go into debt. Empathy and compassion do wonders for a nation in crisis. Arrogance only exasperates the problem.

Here’s the thing. While the rich are worried about their riches and getting richer in a down economy, the people who actually RUN this country (the working class) are losing their jobs. How is this nation to survive if we don’t give respect to the people who are actually doing the work? I recently heard one complaint from a woman whose hairdresser went out of business. “Who’s going to style my hair?”

I’d like to remind those flaunting of their prowess of finances and the unconscious richy-riches of the French Revolution, as a class rift is seemingly growing wider and wider. Marie Antoinette may have fed her scraps to the peasants, but in the end, the peasants had her head.

FICO and Big Business Determine Identity

2009-01-29T07:49:00.000-08:00

One of my biggest gripes is FICO and credit scoring. I can understand for merchants a need to keep alert for those consumers who are irresponsible with credit and money. This protection is not only for merchants, but for consumers as well. But as anything I must ask, has the idea of credit scoring gone too far and perhaps is there a better way?

On a day when our new president asks all Americans, individuals with names and personal stories, people of differing races and creeds to participate in the governing process and to actively be part of his administration by logging onto his site, it is ironic our identity breaks down to our social security number. No one cares for our name or personal character; they just care about our number. Our identity is reduced to a series of nine numbers, but going forward we will be attaching an additional three numbers-our credit score.

As a nation of automatons with a digit identity, now our character is assessed with an additional three. Are we good with credit cards or not? Have we faced financial difficulty in our past, or do we know how to work the credit and get rich off the credit system? Sadly, those who have lived a modest life, helping others but have had difficulty from time to time rate much lower than those who often live a life of making money for their own self service and greed. Is this how we truly want to rate people’s character, if we should rate them at all? Is this what we really value in citizenry?

We are on way to overcoming racism and prejudice, but is keeping “credit score” just another form of prejudice judged solely on one’s financial history, or even their lack of financial history? Look, people are judged unfairly with the single fact they do not have credit. Is not having credit really a bad thing and should we judge someone for wanting to live their life solely on the money they actually earn? What a concept, people spending money with what they earn and not using credit cards? How dare they? Good, honest people are having difficulty getting a house, job for simply not having a credit card. Sorry, I find that ridiculous.

I personally find the credit scoring system as a big business function to make more money off consumers. If they can continually report low scores they can charge higher and higher interest rates to make money. Do we American consumers want our character and identity to be judged by a corporation? Personally, I have hard time respecting and honoring many CEO’s in big business today and I honestly do not feel they have the credibility to judge me.

Credit Cards - And the Reward Goes To -

2009-01-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I did something completely outside my character; I sought the advice of experts. Yes, instead of my mindless, imaginative drivel, I’d actually ask people who truly understood credit. My question to the universe was, “Do credit cards rewards actually work?” The next day, I opened my email to blinding, heavenly, white lights and orgasmic cries, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!” that bellowed from my computer. I have to admit, my skepticism was called into question. I felt foolish for even doubting.

Jim, a financial blogger for www.bargaining.com used credit cards to pay for his wedding. He and his fiancé spent over $30,000 on credit cards and earned over $1500.00 in credit card rewards, which he called, “free money.” I wasn’t sure whether to congratulate him on his wedding or for the great deal he received from credit card rewards. Another wonderful woman, Dr. Sheilagh Weymouth of http://www.wholelifehealthcare.com/ accumulated her points on her Amex card which she rolled over into her Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. She flew to Africa first class for an economy price. Personally, I have always dreamed of visiting Africa. People are realizing their dreams, using credit cards. Wow, credit card companies do have the power to make dreams come true. Could I have been so wrong?

But as everything good in this world, there is always a hitch and I quickly realized one commonality in all those who responded. They all paid their balance in full with no incurred interest. So indeed, it was “free money.” For them, it is a dream come true, because they have no recurring fees or interest to pay off later. But using your credit card to get rewards when already in debt is like a thank you gift at a wedding reception; a mini bottle of Vodka, package of tissues, stale breath mints wrapped in gauze, package of aspirin and a small tin of antacid. It is a reward you receive, but is quickly lost in interest rates and potential fees.

There is no doubt credit card rewards are a marketing ploy to get consumers to spend more money using their credit cards. CFP, psychotherapist and author of "Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Out of Debt" (a book I need to read), Ken Clark wrote, “Rewards create a false sense of progress or thriftiness in the midst of purchasing decisions that are generally unwise.” To get more rewards, means more spending on credit, money you do not have to spend otherwise, unless you are one who pays their balance off monthly without incurring interest, like Jim and Sheilagh, then it is indeed free money and a reward for good credit behavior. However the credit card companies are not in business to give away free money, they are in business to make money and they make the most money of the people who spend, already deep in debt. If Americans spend wisely on credit cards, creditors will not make as much money. It is just business.

Norm Bour of the Norm and Mike radio show, http://www.normandmike.com/ and who runs a Business Debt Eliminator, http://www.mortgageacceleratorplus.com/, program suggested these rewards work well for those responsible with credit, but many people abuse credit cards. It is a sentiment I happen to whole heartedly agree, but I feel the lines are not quite so black and white. There is no question, we need to bring fiscal responsibility back to America, but I believe it starts at the top. How can we expect consumers to be fiscally responsible when corporate CEO’s travel in luxury and attend meetings at exclusive resort spas and our government needs to continually borrow and go deeper in debt to foreign nations. What example are they sending to the consumer, it is okay to be exorbitant and spend money you don’t have? I believe the responsibility starts at the top, and all those who believe in trickledown economics should agree. I firmly believe it is the government and corporate CEO’s need to set the example, and American consumers will follow.

In the meantime, it is a lesson to learn from Jim and Sheilagh. Good things come to the fiscally responsible and wise. A lesson, I certainly need to learn.

Our Nation - Mullet Heads Leading the Charge

2009-01-22T07:22:00.000-08:00

It was during the CNN’s coverage of the Presidential Inauguration watching 47 year old Barak Obama dance with his 45 year old Wife Michelle at the Youth Ball combined with the admission of one CNN correspondent of their own age that I realized I too have passed the age of youth. For years I was holding fast to the idea I was still thirty. Where did the time go and where did my youth go?

The next morning I woke with the realization that not only am I no longer considered the “youth movement” my generation is in charge. Like oh my god, gag me with a spoon (my best Moon Unit Zappa impression). How did us rebel rousers of the 80’s, with mullet haircuts, earrings and parachute pants come to a place where we are now setting the example for the youth? I’m like freaking out for sure!

I thought about it for a while and perhaps we are the best generation to lead the nation into the future. We were the ones who released Rebel Yells, chanted, “No War, No More!” with Bono before Bono was Bono, and I personally sang along in German (I don't speak German) to Nena’s 99 Luft Balons. We watched our rock idols in Band Aide, Live Aide and Farm Aide. Heck despite our bad taste in hairstyles, fashions and music we wanted to feed the world and were all about the aid, man!

But most significantly, those of us who came age in the 1980’s worried about nuclear holocaust and the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. We had a gun-slinging trigger happy president and his merry band of White House aides sold weapons to countries who today pose us the greatest threat. We watched our government care very little for the future of their youth. We took notice and realized the importance of a future. The nuclear race was on and I’m sure I was not the only one during that time who had worried for their future. I prayed along with Sting that the “Russians loved their children too,” and feared Jonathon Schell’s Fate of the Earth, was indeed my fate.

A friend and I often discussed these issues and we asked ourselves would we ever see the fall of Berlin Wall in our life time. Our answer was no. Not more than a few months later, the East Germans left East Germany in droves, peacefully and without a single gunshot or bloodshed. They toppled Communism in their country and set of a reaction in other Eastern Block nations, Romania and Czechoslovakia. Here is the significance, Berlin was the ground zero and the DMZ between East and West and the center of our Armageddon. To see them succeed was a celebration for the entire world. Our generation watched the world change, as in the Jesus Jones’ song “Right Here, Right Now”, in literally a blink of an eye and suddenly the fear of nuclear annihilation were gone and as Peter Jennings reported, “Anything is possible.” I believe this event set the theme to my generation-Anything is possible!

Over the years, the rebel yells turned to whispers and U2 went onto rattle and hum, but I don’t think we ever lost sight of the issues in the world; we just got busy with our own. We still held true to the notion that anything is possible. We have elected our first black president, who like the East Germans in 1989 has changed the world. Today, we Americans sit at the helm of freedom, hope and democracy. It is our turn to change the world, but it is only the beginning.

I for one, have absolutely no doubt change is on the horizon. We have seen the world change. We know it can be done. So I suggest to refrain from blinking, you just might miss something. In conclusion a special shout out to the class of 85.

“Just once in his life, a man has his time and my time is now. I’m coming alive.”

America is coming alive.