That's pretty lousy. Why not get some of these funds from Wall Street profits - and those that caused this catastrophe. Oh wait, those are friends of Senators Dodd (especially Bear Stearns) and Shelby.

Really upsetting that they would take the funds from a much needed low income housing program. And Dems agreed to this crappy legislation?

We really need Public campaign financing - so we can get rid of these guys.

Posted at May 17, 2008 5:57 PM in response to Will Low-Income Renters Pay for the Housing Bailout?

I instantly thought of him too - but then I realized he is a Republican so it's okay and no charges will be filed, I'm sure.

I'm sure this is just the beginning of the election year attacks on all Dems. There will be plenty of those "leaks" about "investigations" and "possible indictments" of Dems.

Posted at May 11, 2008 1:04 AM in response to WaPo: Feds Probing Lawmakers' Use of Staffers

So Repugs only believe in States rights when the states do not interfere with Corporate corrutpion or abusive practices.

These decisions should be made by the states. I read that Maryland had a 15 day period when foreclosure proceedings could begin. 15 Days????? You can't get anyone on the phone to speak with in 15 days!

Anyone who votes against this in Congress needs to be voted out of office!! Yeah, I know - there's still quite a few of them.

Posted at May 7, 2008 11:50 AM in response to Banks: Law Can't Bother Us

Not only is it a hassle with the insurance and medical providers - but usually leads to a bigger problem with collection agencies for the paid-but-not-paid ongoing argument about the bill. Hospitals and medical providers are pretty quick to send bills to collection, regardless of ongoing disputes.

This new ultra-speedy collection process then leads to Credit Report negatives, leads to FICO score decrease, leads to higher credit card interest rates - all faster than you can complain that it was all a mistake about a billing/insurance error.

Once again - there is no recourse for the consumer, and I am really starting to believe there is serious collusion between corporations billing us incorrectly and Credit Reporting Agencies and Fair Isaac. How is it allowed that a private company like Fair Isaac can ruin our lives over a disputed bill?

Thank you Ms. Warren, for speaking for so many that never get a voice in this financial mess.

Posted at May 1, 2008 2:44 PM in response to Battered by Health Insurance

I have been screaming! I've been writing emails to members of Congress - like Senator Dodd who says he is sympathetic to consumers, but instead takes millions $$$ from Banks, and Bear Stearns specifically. Tell me that did not influence the big bail out.

Taxpayer dollars should not be bailing out Investment firm gamblers!!

So we bail out the irresponsible big banks and investors - but I didn't see Senator Dodd with Senator Carl Levin to champion consumer rights at the hearing about the Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights. Why do consumers have to be penalized with 15, 20 or 29% interest rates? Why not helping people faced with losing their home because of criminal lenders. The Home Builders do not need the tax breaks - consumers do!

And where is the transparency on this shady Bail Out - and we know it is a shady deal because it would have been illegal for the Fed to directly bail out Bear Stearns.

We need Public Campaign Financing!!! So we can tell some members of Congress and their Corporate friends to take a hike!

Posted at April 21, 2008 4:39 PM in response to George Will Moves to the Left of the Democrats

"U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab declared a mistrial April 8 after jurors said they were deadlocked on all 41 counts of fraud and theft. The jury deliberated for three weeks following seven weeks of testimony."

Stallings' statement sounds like BS. Deadlocked on all 41 counts after 3 weeks - sounds like one juror holdout.

Posted at April 17, 2008 7:29 PM in response to Pennsylvania Dems, GOPers Send Open Letter to Mukasey about Wecht Case

Excellent! LOL

Posted at April 17, 2008 7:11 PM in response to Pennsylvania Dems, GOPers Send Open Letter to Mukasey about Wecht Case

Thanks Senator Levin!

It is about time that Congress helps consumers, especially since we taxpayers are bailing out irresponsible Investment firms like Bear Stearns.

"applying higher rates retroactively to pre-existing credit card debt." How is this allowed? Why is this not a contract when a purchase is made at a specified interest rate? What other business is allowed to retroactively bill like this? It is unbelievable. I recently had this happen by Bank of America (was my MBNA account) suddenly increasing an existing balance from 7% to 20.99% - really outrageous!

Please use this election year to pressure Senate Republicans up for re-election to enact these changes ASAP. I'd like to see Sen. McCain take a stand on this issue.

I see that campaign contributions from Banks have increased a lot recently - so I will hope for changes, but not hold my breath.

We need Public Campaign Financing - so that Consumers get a fair deal from Congress as much as the Banks do.

Posted at April 17, 2008 4:03 PM in response to Testifying on Abuses by Credit Card Companies

I think you are correct. Apparently the personal chat with Ms. Buchanan did not convince her to drop this losing case - so they had to go public. Wow - Mary Beth is either very vindictive or too stubborn for her own good, or just plain stupid - not to realize that this just keeps damaging her already trashed reputation.

Melissa Hart jumped on this because you can imagine people asking her why Republicans insist on wasting more taxpayer dollars on this case - meanwhile she wants to be elected back to Congress as a Republican. Too funny.

Go spend more time with the family Mary Beth Buchanan - you're done in PA.

Posted at April 16, 2008 4:00 PM in response to Pennsylvania Dems, GOPers Send Open Letter to Mukasey about Wecht Case

My suspicions and some rumors are that they were really counting on this prosecution to turn Pittsburgh Republican. They thought this would then deliver PA to the Republican candidate. So I am happy to hear that they did not get away with this bogus indictment.

I hope the House Judicial Committee has some more hearings on crap like this right before the election - to remind the public about the corrupt Republican DOJ. I can never thank TPM enough for the fantastic job of reporting on the completely corrupt Bush DOJ.

Posted at April 11, 2008 8:04 PM in response to FBI Agents Contacted Wecht Jurors