Credit Card Outrage.... Senator Sanders... Senator Dodd... Senator Schumer... MoveOn.Org Political Action Activism Opportunity...

["Credit Card Outrage"; as submitted by SenatorSanders on May 14, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INmxtVB0dg4]

Passing This On (Modified Somewhat for Inclusion Here) / Received from D. Mintz, MoveOn.Org Political Action on 6/14/09:

"... Have you ever looked at your credit card statement and realized your interest rate was twice what it was the month before? Or wondered why you're getting charged a late fee when you paid your bill on time?

Credit card companies are notorious for back-handed maneuvers like these. And they've been doing this for so long, it almost feels hopeless to protest...

But now, the Senate is considering a strong bill to outlaw some of their most egregious abuses... But the bill isn't moving, and too many senators are scared to take truly bold action against the banks...

If enough of us speak out together quickly, we can make sure Congress knows we expect them to protect voters, not banks...

... As long as the banks are the ones writing the rules, we'll continue to have a system that's good for them and bad for everyone else...

Since the early 1980s, the government has gotten rid of more and more regulations at the banks' urging. Entire industries have sprung up built on misleading people and taking advantage of them...

Now that we've seen the disastrous consequences of that deregulation, we have to act.

The House bill passed by a big margin, but the Senate bill, sponsored by Senator Chris Dodd, is significantly tougher on the banks. If we don't pass strong reform now—in this moment of anger at the industry's wild abuses—we may not get the chance again. That's why we need to speak out right away to make sure the banks can't block or water down these necessary reforms."

To read more and/or sign the associated petition (for a "strong Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights...) - go to (copy and paste in the address bar):

http://pol.moveon.org/creditcards/?id=16136-14968754-I8yncyx&t=4

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The commentary (spell-corrected & slightly revised here) that I (along with signing the petition) sent along:

"What a lot of credit card companies and associated lending institutions are doing to the American people seems downright criminal.

Please take action so that

1) the American public gets a fair shake;

2) the American public gets clear and concise information about the economic contracts they might choose to enter into;

3) credit card companies and associated lending institutions are no longer allowed to alter economic contracts in an underhanded and exploitative manner;

4) credit card companies and associated lending institutions are forbidden to harass the American public via home phones or cell phones(including hang-up calls, multiple messages, etc)- which can lead to counter-productive [stress]; and...

5) what we are left with are "win-win" honest contracts that both borrowers and lenders can benefit from in a dignified integral manner.

In addition, if any of this could be made retrospective... (Is some restitution to the victims of unfair practices in order?) THAT would be WONDERFUL..."

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Care to join us in this extremely important slice of activism?????

Go to:

http://pol.moveon.org/creditcards/?id=16136-14968754-I8yncyx&t=4

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Peace, Love, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS