tony snow
Snow was a simple minded genejoke. Good riddance to him and Helms.
Checks almost in mail
It's going to help some, but what then my friend. Still no jobs and with all the lay-offs it's going to get bad. And another point is, with the unemployment funds running down in MIchigan, some big shot's going to buy his way into cutting the benifits down in size anyway. Don't you guys think about it OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICE HOLDERS WILL GET THEIR CHECK ON TIME.
MAYBE, THEY COULD GIVE SOME OF THAT UN-EARNED CASH BACK, OK I WAS DREAMING.
It's not going to matter they'll find a way to screww the people anyway
Please let me express my view. I think they all need to be charged with crimes against the people they say they represent. They have done nothing for the people, however if you read the paper you'll fined there is more of them becoming Millionaires then at any time in the past. They never do anything before it's to late. They spend our money on stupid things all the while they let companies leave our state instead of tax breaks. I've never been one for making companies get rich, However right now in michigan I think giving them a break is better then nothing coming in, 50% is better then 0%, not even counting the job lose, or payroll tax we've lost. These clowns have given us a bad name, failed to act on thing that are best for our state.
What needs to happen is we need to charge them with, misrepresentation, fraud, and failing to fulfill the duties under their oath.
Look, The Governor has failed to deal with the issue of Detroit, they all have failed to deal with the schools problems of funding, or mismanagement of funds.
They claim we don't have the money to fix the roads, however they allow companies to leave the state without talking to them, therefore job loss. We now have a problem with an under funded unempoyment fund and going to have to raise taxes to to make up for it. MISS-MANAGEMENT, nothing new there.
As with many large companies, they fail to see the big picture. If you lay-off and down size who's going to buy you cars, if you move your shops to Mexico, canada, japan, ect, how can the AMERICAN people buy these products.
Lets be realistic, the companies we the AMERICAN people made GREAT are now losing there BUTTS, it might be because they forgot the ones that got them there to begin with. Cheap labor someplace else might be good for the company in short term, and dollars today. But, when you moved you forgot nobody at home (U.S.)can buy your items anymore, NO JOBS, no money. Penny wise pound FOOLISH. Fisher price, helping kill off our kids with cheaper products, GM, Ford, all buying foreign companies, and moving to other countries are paying for it because they have short memories and deap pockets, NOT SO DEEP ANY MORE. If they want to recover, they need to come HOME, and make there products, employ there people, the ones that made them gREAT to start with, I would be they would recover PDQ>
Back to our GOVERNMENT, not just Michigan but Washington also, have forgotten the basic rule of survival of any tribe, gang, or nation. TAKE CARE OF YOURS AND WHEN ALL IS RIGHT THEN YOU TAKE THE EXTRA AND HELP OTHER, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I'm all for helping others, however you make sure yours are working, eating, living without worrying if I'll be able to eat today, will I be able to find a job this week, will I still have a job this week, is my company moving to Japan next week. Will my kid be killed in a drive by. We can't fix all of this but we sure can do a better job then whats happening now.
We have spent how much on a war we didn't need, and I've seen no benifit to it as of yet,other then we look STUPID, and lost alot of good people.
We give MILLIONS to others and our people are losing there homes, jobs, not eating, schools are closing down, ending good program that these politician had when they grow up, and there kids get in private schools. I and most others have lost faith in the system we claim is so great.
The theory of your system is great, all we have to do is get back to it. Our leaders have been traveling down the the wrong road for a long time and now it's become about money, and power to them, it's no longer about the people or whats good for our nation. We need to CHANGE OUR LEADERSHIP NOW.
NAFTA, that was one of the biggest mistake they ever made, they know or should have known if they had any brains that it would cost us money, jobs, and our way of life. However, think about it. The big companies with lobbyist pushed that through, I have to beleive there was a lot of money changing hands as that passed. Look, have you seen one of these guy go without food, have any of them lost their house, car, their job, NOT ONE.
I could go on and on but,
IF WE THE PEOPLE DON'T STAND UP NOW WE'RE GOING TO LOSE EVERYTHING, WE'VE SOLD OUR SOULS TO THE DEVIL, OUR GOVERNMENT AND LEADERS, AND IF WE WANT THEM BACK WE NEED TO STAND UP AND TAKE THEM BACK. FIRST THING IS TO CHANGE OUR LEADERS IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND ELECT REAL, CARING PEOPLE. OUT WITH THE RICH AND IN WITH THE REAL CARING AMERACANS. START WITH BUSH, GOVERNOR GRAN-HO IN MICHIGAN AND CONGRESS, THEN DO A CLEAN SWEEP OF THE REST OF THE SYSTEM.
TAKE OUR UNITED STATES BACK FROM THE FOOLS.
13 week exxtemtion
Well " ANOTHER CRUM from the RICH MANS TABLE"
This is christian "big brothers ....answer to the FarmBill for the farmers in Manhattan!
mccain obama ONE LEG OVER
Well it is always better to have TWO leg to stand on!
War is only good for the waopponsdealers...The citizen donot profit in WAR.. the country loseses THERE BEST AND HEALTHS YOUNG MEN WOMEN..what left in in jail or in colleges?!Young women are without Husbands,
The past 7 years have show To have military Adviser . Intellegin CIA, CID, etc. to the president HASNOT brought America any blessings!
The HATRED that WAR bring is nonstop for generations...
Who is raising the LEFT from the SOLDIER father children in the forgien lands? Europe has there OWN Black children, Vietnam, Korea etc....So how many are there now in IRAQ?
Are muslim and christian allowed to marry in IRAQ? Also what disease do the SOLdiers bring back with them into the United STATE of America! Agent orange from Vietnam? Desert Storm? Our VEteran are still suffering for Agent orange today!
So what "gain is there to the Citizen?
love your r country.
McCain's military eperience?
Price asks if a president should have military experience. The answer, at least to me. is no. As most presidenta have not had any such experience. However, as Obama has none whatsoever to suggest as Wesely Clark has done that McCain's experience and the suggestion that because of that lack people should not vote for McCain is beyond ridculous and and insult to every American who has, because of his/her service in combat became a prisoer of war. That Clark would say such a thing at the same time Obama has started his "I am a patroit campaign is no conincidence. As Obama has done in the past when such an event happens and it is not well received he, and the Democrats, "claim he or they had nothing to do with it". And to do so lowers ever futher the standards of a politicial campaign.
Frank Mannino
Laughable DNC offensive!
So, attack McCain using SEVEN surrogates over the weekend on the one point you should avoid--McCain's selfless military service? What a strategy! What next, shower with a toaster?
Anyone else notice Barry Obama's feigned disgust for Clark's remarks, but stern warning if anyone questions his non-military, non-flag wearing, non-pledge saying, butt?
Alice, you've fallen through the looking glass!
Should a President have military ...
No, but it is experience in that area that the other candidate does not have. The statement by Gen. Clark (Obama staff) is merely political...that is, playing politics. And since he brought up the word experience, Obama has how much ? What experience did Jimmy Carter have, or George Bush, or John Kennedy ? That's why you have a cabinet, and advisors.
Wesley Clark's a twit!
When so many surrounding Obama say stupid things, how can we take him seriously?
So much for the Dems trying to make roads to vets!
It never takes them long to show their true colors. Whatever they say, they really do hate the military and anyone who's served.
Casino's
first check and see if campaign donations from the established casinos have gone to the complaining congressmen before you try to understand their position--next find out why casinos in Detroit were just fine but casino jobs for others in Michigan are a no-no--next,please tell congressman Rogers that crime doesn't follow casino's,that is one of those religious backed myths-like free enterprise Republicans claim,let as many casiono's in that the public will support--those that can't will close up--after all,profit is there only motive for existing-
Interest Rates, State Usury Laws, and the Federal Government: What went wrong?
After the ENRON Scandal..hardly any Action from congress to reemburst the loss to the Employees.....$$$$$$$$$$.
Then all the Local and State Bank where taken over by out of America ..RBS. AMRO etc....
But now we have 2-5 Collection Agency trying there best to collect monies by any Form....
In this case a Courtpaper was send to debter with the HEADER from One Court of a County...Then the middle part signed by a Court Clerk in a different county.....And in Court the Agency collecter admitted" That the Court clerk"was a person in there Office and not a Court ClerK"!
love your country
Interest Rates, State Usury Laws, and the Federal Government: What went wrong?
Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England says that " When money is lent on a contract to receive not only the principal sum again, but also an increase by way of compensation for the use, the increase is called interest by those who think it's lawful, and usury by those who do not." (p. 1336)
Today, in the United States, states have created usury laws in order to set a maximum legal interest rate limit. Because Congress has chosen not to regulate interest rates on a national level, individual states have made the decision to protect their consumers. Unfortunately, the usury cap is still at a very questionable rate and in the last twenty or so years it has only risen. In the state of Michigan, the usury rate is currently 25%. Which begs the question, why have interest rates been allowed to soar to such outrageous amounts?
First and foremost, we must discuss national consumer debt and the gold mine credit card companies are sitting on. When a consumer loses their job and/or becomes overwhelmed by medical bills due to a lack of sufficient health care options in the U.S., the consumer, the doctors, and hospitals involved suffer. However, the credit card companies that the consumer used to help with those medical bills continue to make bank. Why? Because credit card companies, and other similar lending companies, have been allowed to continuously charge usurious rates on the balances owed by the struggling consumer.
And just when state governments were stepping in to defend fellow consumers, the Treasury Department made a preempted strike, stating that investigations of abusive lending practices (to include abusive usury rates) rests solely on the shoulders of the Treasury Department. (Treasury Directive 27-07) This unprecedented move left individual states with little choices regarding the protection of their consumers against out of control interest rates. And while states do indeed possess usury laws, the 30+% interests' rates charged by these companies prove that these laws provide very little protection, if any.
The Federal government seems to make a habit out of superseding state laws where usury is concerned. According to the Comptroller of Currency, national banks existing in states where usury laws are in place are not only allowed to charge the maximum rate permitted according to the law of that state, they are also allowed to charge non-interest related fees--though state laws may incorporate and/or prohibit such fees under usury law--as long as they do so with "sound banking judgment" and handle these fees in a non-interest related manner. National banks received this ability to override state usury laws after inflation occurred in the 1980s.
In addition to the existing high interest rates, credit card companies have free reign to apply tactics that trap the consumer in an unending cycle. Even if a consumer is habitually on time on all payments, one incident causing a late payment can skyrocket the interest rate by, sometimes, 20% without the consumer's knowledge. In the case of universal default, if a consumer is late on a utility bill, their credit card rates can be directly affected. Michigan and other states have no control over such tactics since the seizure of authority by the Treasury Department; moreover, since the seizure, very little action on the part of the federal government has taken place to regulate and gain control over interest rates and lending practices.
Dare we say that it appears as if the national government is choosing to look the other way where the credit card lending industry is concerned? In addition, as long as credit card companies remain major financial contributors in Washington, there seems little hope for the fellow consumer. And yet here we are: Consumers are left out in the cold to defend themselves against a debilitating economy, an increasing unemployment rate, threats of foreclosures, and mortgage and credit card interest rates soaring to usurious levels. Chanting "this, too, shall pass" over and over again is no longer as comforting as it used to be. If there was ever a time to seek financial help, now would be that time.
Jamie Ryan Ryke Attorney at Law
Second Start P.L.L.C.
Phone: 800-728-3363
Web: www.savedme.com
Web: www.freebankruptcyevaluation.com
e-mail: Jr@savedme.com
Citizens Need to Voice Their Concerns to Stop Unfair Credit Card Practices
It is becoming more and more obvious that major reform is needed in order to put a halt to the way credit card companies conduct business. Bankruptcy attorney, Jamie R. Ryke, of Second Start, is determined to ensure that Washington hears the suggestions for the additional changes to recent bills being submitted to the US Senate Banking Committee. April 30, 2008, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (C.A.R.D. Act); which is very similar to the bill Senator Carl Levin and Congresswoman Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced to the United States Senate in May 2007, titled "Stop Unfair Practices in Credit Cards Act of 2007."
The bills are intended to stop unfair interest rates and fees imposed by credit card companies. Both bills highlight many issues that would benefit credit card users. The bills request many anticipated amendments to The Truth in Lending Act. Expected key amendments are: No interest to be charged on a debt that is paid on time, no interest to be charged on a debt that is paid on time and in full, limits on interest rate increases, interest rate increases limited to future credit extensions, no interest charges on fees, fixed credit limit, over-the-limit fee restrictions, and additional fees such as, but not limited to, no fee to pay a billing statement, annual audit by the federal government on card issuers, and a prerequisite to apply a payment first to the card balance bearing the highest rate of interest.
In the US Senate, Levin and McCaskill's bill was read twice, voted on and submitted to the Banking Committee. The best time for citizens to write their Senators expressing their concerns in favor of stopping credit card companies from abusing Americans any further is while both bills reside in the Banking Committee awaiting a vote.
According to Pew Research Center, 69% of Americans who make $30,000 or less a year use their credit cards to pay for unexpected expenses after they have run out of money at the end of a pay period. Statistics also show that 90% of adults do not pay their credit card debt in full each month; therefore accumulating additional fees and outrageous interest rates. This never ending cycle is a trap that ensnares Americans, locking them in to a life of endless debt. Those with family incomes of $100,000 or more are less likely than other income levels to have experienced those kinds of debt problems.
Second Start is proposing a lower credit card interest rate to lower income families who make $30,000 or less. Families who make $100,000 or more are in a better position to pay off their credit card debt at the end of the month. Lowering the credit card interest rates to meet the needs of lower income families and reducing the fees that go along with a credit card would allow the customers to get out of debt sooner. Credit card companies are not giving customers who make less than $30,000 a year a chance to get out of debt. High credit card interest rates, fees, and skyrocketing gas and food prices are crippling the Country's economy. If credit card companies were forced to comply with restrictions on their practices, this would allow families and hard working Americans to spend more money to attribute to the economy rather than pad the pockets of credit card companies.
Second Start urges Michigan citizens to take a similar action. Writing and calling your local federal congressman/woman is this first step to request change in how credit card companies conduct business within this country. Mr. Ryke was a guest panelist on the Fox 2 segment "Lunch Money," hosted by Murray Feldman on April 16th. Mr. Ryke, former bankruptcy judge, Ray Graves, and Dianne Reichel, from Green Path Debt Solutions, discussed the benefits of bankruptcy for those who have been highly affected by the failing Michigan economy. There were opportunities for the public to phone in or email financial related questions and have their questions answered by the panelists. In addition, Jeff Thav and Amy Gardener, two additional attorneys from Second Start, fielded calls that did not make it on to the television show itself.
Second Start is a Southfield, MI, based bankruptcy law firm. Jamie Ryke and Andrew Thav, co-founders, are doing their best to alleviate the negative stigma attached to bankruptcy by educating those in financial disarray and assisting them through their hardships. "Our mission is to save you from the stress, the headaches, and the arguments that accompany debt-related anxiety. We will help you stop your problems at their source." (www.savedme.com)
Mr. Ryke, Mr. Thav, and the dedicated and highly trained staff at Second Start understand that Michigan leads the country in unemployment and foreclosure rates, as well as having the lowest average household salary in the nation. Because of these depressing statistics, Second Start is actively trying to bring some long overdue relief to fellow Michiganders. Second Start is actively addressing this concern by writing to Michigan and fellow US Senator's requesting relief for lower income families, as well as relief from the poor practices employed by major credit card companies.
Senator Levin's and McCaskill's bill can be viewed at: http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/supporting/2007/Levin.McCaskill.CCbill.051507.pdf
Senator Dodd's bill can be viewed at: http://dodd.senate.gov/ .
Watch the recap of the show "Lunch Money":
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=6E09119CEFBCCF1B4D89F856FF22B7B4?contentId=6325850&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
Second Start P.L.L.C.
29200 Northwestern Highway
Suite 155
Southfield, MI 48034
Phone: 1 800- SAVEDME/ 728-3363
E-mail: Jr@savedme.com
Web: www.freebankruptcyevaluation.com
XXXX
Interest Rates, State Usury Laws, and the Federal Government: What went wrong?
Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England says that " When money is lent on a contract to receive not only the principal sum again, but also an increase by way of compensation for the use, the increase is called interest by those who think it's lawful, and usury by those who do not." (p. 1336)
Today, in the United States, states have created usury laws in order to set a maximum legal interest rate limit. Because Congress has chosen not to regulate interest rates on a national level, individual states have made the decision to protect their consumers. Unfortunately, the usury cap is still at a very questionable rate and in the last twenty or so years it has only risen. In the state of Michigan, the usury rate is currently 25%. Which begs the question, why have interest rates been allowed to soar to such outrageous amounts?
First and foremost, we must discuss national consumer debt and the gold mine credit card companies are sitting on. When a consumer loses their job and/or becomes overwhelmed by medical bills due to a lack of sufficient health care options in the U.S., the consumer, the doctors, and hospitals involved suffer. However, the credit card companies that the consumer used to help with those medical bills continue to make bank. Why? Because credit card companies, and other similar lending companies, have been allowed to continuously charge usurious rates on the balances owed by the struggling consumer.
And just when state governments were stepping in to defend fellow consumers, the Treasury Department made a preempted strike, stating that investigations of abusive lending practices (to include abusive usury rates) rests solely on the shoulders of the Treasury Department. (Treasury Directive 27-07) This unprecedented move left individual states with little choices regarding the protection of their consumers against out of control interest rates. And while states do indeed possess usury laws, the 30+% interests' rates charged by these companies prove that these laws provide very little protection, if any.
The Federal government seems to make a habit out of superseding state laws where usury is concerned. According to the Comptroller of Currency, national banks existing in states where usury laws are in place are not only allowed to charge the maximum rate permitted according to the law of that state, they are also allowed to charge non-interest related fees--though state laws may incorporate and/or prohibit such fees under usury law--as long as they do so with "sound banking judgment" and handle these fees in a non-interest related manner. National banks received this ability to override state usury laws after inflation occurred in the 1980s.
In addition to the existing high interest rates, credit card companies have free reign to apply tactics that trap the consumer in an unending cycle. Even if a consumer is habitually on time on all payments, one incident causing a late payment can skyrocket the interest rate by, sometimes, 20% without the consumer's knowledge. In the case of universal default, if a consumer is late on a utility bill, their credit card rates can be directly affected. Michigan and other states have no control over such tactics since the seizure of authority by the Treasury Department; moreover, since the seizure, very little action on the part of the federal government has taken place to regulate and gain control over interest rates and lending practices.
Dare we say that it appears as if the national government is choosing to look the other way where the credit card lending industry is concerned? In addition, as long as credit card companies remain major financial contributors in Washington, there seems little hope for the fellow consumer. And yet here we are: Consumers are left out in the cold to defend themselves against a debilitating economy, an increasing unemployment rate, threats of foreclosures, and mortgage and credit card interest rates soaring to usurious levels. Chanting "this, too, shall pass" over and over again is no longer as comforting as it used to be. If there was ever a time to seek financial help, now would be that time.
Jamie Ryan Ryke Attorney at Law
Second Start P.L.L.C.
Phone: 800-728-3363
Web: www.savedme.com
Web: www.freebankruptcyevaluation.com
e-mail: Jr@savedme.com
Casino's
Why should detroit be the only city to have casino's, maybe some competition is good.
