JUNE 23, 2008 --

LPR recently noticed a statement online that 700 to 750 is a good credit score. Those of us with a somewhat lower score can expected to be treated harshly by lending institutions.

This is unjust. This discriminates against debtors. This is un-American.

The truth is, probably most of us used credit cards because we had belief and confidence and, indeed credit in the system. How about some economic analysts nothing that the system literally and figuratively discredited us. And now we are to be held responsible for the failings of others.

I owe money to P.C. Richards (among other places) and the payments go to GE. And if they do not get their money on time, boy do I hear from them by phone.

Please see the value of GE stock today. When I first bought GE nearly seven years ago it was over 40 and was highly recommended. But I have no redress against GE for not fulfilling its promise as a solid and profitable investment.

There is also the matter of a couple of companies where my stock lost all value due to bankruptcy. Yet, the lending institutions pin the blame on the little guy, not the CEO who probably ends up with a golden parachute whatever shape he leaves his company.

Thank you Congress and President Bush for sending us $600 to kind of make amends for the mess the economy is in. I am sure the check in the mail.

But for those of us who have been delayed in receiving our $600, shouldn’t we get an added $39 late fee plus interest of 30% -- just following credit card precedent.

Of course I am not serious. But an economic system that makes it impossible to retire on investment and then makes it difficult to unretire might do something more to help tide the economically-afflicted over.

In the case of people who face loss of all income but a small social security check, LPR calls for vouchers that will cover basic current costs for housing in the individual’s domicile, food , car insurance (note – not gas) and health insurance payments until the individual returns to the list of gainfully employed, in the field for which he or she is trained.

Also credit scores are to be abolished as discriminatory and letting poor performing company execs off the hook.

Credit card companies are to be limited to 8% interest – waived until the individual can afford to pay.

LPR is confident that an economic voucher system as here outlined would encourage executives to think again of the share-holders, would encourage employment agencies to do a better at finding jobs for the out-of-work and would, of course, avoid the return of the depression-era soup kitchen when people had plenty of bills and no money to pay them.

Soup kitchens, after all, are not the mark of a vigorous, flourishing, economy.

A Magnificent Way to
Celebrate July Fourth

JUNE 23, 2008 --

Reuters reported recently a poll by Travelzoo.com indicating that more than 80 percent of 1000 drivers polled say they will stay home on Independence Day.. The report said that this is a five percent drop from last year. Travelzoo.com editor Gabe Saglie indicated that the economy is in shaky condition ‘how people live their lives day-to-day.”

Last LPR called for a national Leave Your Car at Home Day. The (L.A.-based) Travel.zoo.com poll suggests that we should proclaim our independence from those using oil as a weapon against us and our economy by keeping our cars home on Independence Day.

What a statement it would make about our national resolve if, on July 4, television news programs showed empty roads, empty parking lots, empty gas stations and if, July 5, the lead story in the newspapers reported: Americans Keep Cars Home in July 4th Protest Against Oil Prices”

James Madison, in Federalist No. 57 wrote that the American people are actuated by “a spirit which nourishes freedom and in return is nourished by it.” Seems to LPR that James Madison and all the Founders would applaud us if we demonstrated our spirit of freedom by leaving our cars home on the day of our independence.

And what a show of solidarity against the oil cartel if the international commmunity joined a July 4 "Leave Your Car at Home" demonstration of  freedom, independence and resolve against economic heavy-handedness.

This year, when we say "Happy Independence Day" let's really mean it.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Our “Duh” Media

JUNE 23, 2008 --

LPR realizes that “media” spelled backwards is aid em which might explain the tendency of journalists to aid one side or the other, usually the left. Still, slanted reporting in LPR’s view, has to become a slippery slope, lacking meaningful information.

Yahoo carried on line, June 16, a Dallas News report expressing surprise the impact of the record oil costs has been so wide on prices, generally. If there were a Duh prize in journalism, this report would clearly be a top contender.

But with the media looking for all kinds of excuses for oil price hikes, perhaps some media outlets have to express shock when they cannot cover up what is obvious to all thinking people.

Of course, LPR does not expect “investigative reporters” (the term is a joke) to show much interest in following the money – from gas pump to eventual recipient. But a Saudi official as much as acknowledged, in saying that oil prices are not normal, that the Saudis and their friends have made their bundle and now prices can settle a bit – but at higher levels than they had been.

Can things get better for us? Sure, if we work together and don’t rely on our politicians—of either party, who every day in office contravene the spirit of Federalist 57 calling on them to serve the common good, to treat themselves no differently than they treat the people and, in fact, to stand with the people.

Where is the reporter who will ask candidates to measure their performance against the counsel of Federalist 57. Do today’s reporters even know there is a Federalist 57.

LPR wouldn’t be surprised if media people thought The Federalist Papers are publications of right wing extremist groups.

If Republicans had the ability for effective response to Democratic attack (they don't) they would point out that the public interest is not served by a media that slants the news.   

Slanted news is the antithesis of investigative reporting--slanted news also, in the view of LPR, encourages lazy reporting.  

A newspaper, like the Dallas News that is surprised by the obvious  cannot be expected to show interest in informing the public about the machinations of Big Oil.

Slanted news will, perhaps, serve a special, or political, interest for a time -- but such advantage cannot last long and will cause harm to the common good, harm hardly in the public interest.    

There is no substitute for honesty in reporting.  Now why can't Republicans think of pointing that out?

A High School Reunion Conversation Continues

JUNE 23, 2008 --

There was a report online, June 14,  that Sen Obama commented if Republicans go after us with a knife, Democrats will use a gun. The imagery is unfortunate.  

But since November 8, 1994, Republicans have been ineffective in dealing with ad hominem atttack from Democrats   

LPR has now heard the argument that the good people of American, Democratic and Republican, will vote for Obama.  And June 15 there was a report accusing Joe Lieberman of personally attacking Obama.

Another report LPR  saw online, June 14, was that Republilcans are falling short in their House campaign money.

And how are candidates measured by the media?  I think by the amount of money they raise.

If money is the milk of politics why should we be surprised that it becomes the milk of public policy?

With money spread over our politics, it may cover, but not permanently I think, the decay underneath.   

I write this committed to the founding philosophy of limited government with officials serving the common good.

I do not think the Founders intended to establish a system where sovereign authority resided in government.    

My sense is that politicians see public office as a means of private advancement, not public service.

It would have been encouraging if the report about lack of House campaign money would have quoted one Republican as declaring that people will vote for us on the basis of what we stand for, not how much money we raise.

I don't think I will hear that kind of statement from a Republican -- or Democrat.

Name-calling yes. That we will continue to hear and from my vantage point, the Democrats were always better at that  than Republicans.

(An earlier version of this statement appeared in post-reunion email communication of the Fieldston - Bronx, NY - Class of 1958.)

Five good reasons to keep
our cars home July 4

JUNE 23, 2008 --

Mobil Station in Torrington, CT on June 15th

Shell Station in Torrington, CT on June 15th.

Amoco Station, also in the Bronx, June 18th

A Good and Noble Car

JUNE 23, 2008 --

Thank you car, good faithful friend, driving me about

Knowing that rising costs are turning to a rout

You strive to serve me well with better gas efficiency

Helping me to counter Big Oil’s character deficiency

Thirty miles a gallon and more, is what you now provide

Five years old and look at you, filling me with pride

And with the cost of fuel so high, and account so low at bank

Still you are willing to drive me with a depleted tank

Please don’t feel insulted if I leave you back at home

I want you to conserve your strength until again we roam

As of now we do not know the strength of Big Oil’s pull

But America will overcome; once again your tank will be full.

"Thirty Percent Interest"

JUNE 23, 2008 --

With credit card companies taking the place of the oppressive company stores of years past, here is an update on  lyrics to the tune of  "Sixteen Tons" --


Someone like me who is unemployed

healthwise is lucky still not overjoyed

With credit card interest at 30 percent

soon I won't be able to pay my rent

**

Thirty percent interest for goodness sakes

leaves me living on watered corn flakes

Why do legislatures permit the credit card squeeze

There's something about this that smacks of sleaze

**

Thirty percent interest is a gosh darn crime

Takes all your money over time

Putting you in a financial hole

With your hands around  an empty bowl

**

That's my story,  those are the facts

Someone like me can never relax

St. Peter don't you call me, the banks won't relent

charging me credit card interest at 30 percent

**

In the old days the oppressor was the company store

Perhaps  that kind of vulture ain't around anymore

Been replaced by banks that don't even blush

to paint their credit cards  with a thirty percent brush

**

Refrain:

You pay thirty percent interest on your credit card

You'll never stop paying and your rating's marred

St Peter please don't call me while I'm a financial wreck

I guess I'll have to give 'em  my social security check