Capital One - Survival Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

object width="480" height="385">

Debt Collectors, Collective of the Borg

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

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

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.