cnn right now is doing "coverage" on the irresponsibility of all those people who use credit cards due to "irresponsibility".
the idiot commentator is making such sweeping generalizations such as "people use plastic because the feel they are entitled to give things to other people" and "students straight out of college are using credit cards when they COULD be saving for their 401ks"... (couldn't POSSIBLY be because of the massive student debt, now, COULD it! ) and more...
i am seeing red and absolutely in disbelief at the tripe and garbage being spewed about the "irresponsible" debtor!
more rage below the fold!
what has made me crazy here is the assinine assumption that people are blindly running out and "spending" on their cards for all those unnecessary items (like food, health care, gas, etc.) because they just don't understand how important saving for that 401k really IS to their future!
well, as someone who has no credit cards, no 401ks, no health insurance, no savings, let me set that f*cking stupid bimbo on cnn straight! MANY americans simply have NO MONEY! this economy is horrific for the average middle class (who now makes up the working poor). for those who still have credit cards, they are the means of making the end of the month reach the next paycheck! (or future ones that are being eaten by astronomical interest rates!)
following the punative bankruptcy laws, the outrageous policies of credit card companies that will automatically raise interest rates if the consumer is late on paying, say, an electric bill - the working class in this country is being screwed to the max!
the article started out (with terry savage, personal finance advisor) being interviewed about the irresponsibility of the average christmas shopper. she sweetly shows her multitude of cards like she has "arrived" by being the proud possessor of all that plastic.
gerri willis (bimbobrat interviewer) is having all the guests "showing" what they have in their wallets in a disgusting display of "look at ME! I have good CREDIT so I have ALL THESE CARDS!"
one man is saying how he "hates" to see people swipe for convenience money that they may need for a mortgage, etc.
they repeat the smarmy mantra "live within your means..."
why are they doing this story? well, it was preceeded by an african american woman who was temping for harvard university(?) and applied for the permanent position of the same job she had been doing as a temp. she was turned down for permanent employment.
why?
her "credit score" was poor.
ok.
read that again...she did not get the job she had been doing as a temp because...
her "credit score" was poor.
sooooo, now, to gain employment, you may have to pass a "credit check".
to get an apartment, in many states you will have to pass a "credit check".
are you getting this?
if you don't have money in today's society in america, you are being systematically shut out of the entire system: job, housing, etc.
scared yet?
well, you SHOULD be! from one who has run the gamut of being without housing, let me assure you that if we all are faced with passing a credit check, then we are ALL screwed! the types of jobs available are now being based on credit ratings not on experience, knowledge, education, etc.
so, folks, don't get sick. don't borrow. don't fail the "rich" test. don't be a victim of identity theft. oh... i forgot, if you don't USE credit cards, you won't PASS the credit test - since no credit is worse than bad credit!
welcome to the new american identifier: the credit score
last but not least, did i mention how much i absolutely loathe bimbo barbies and bobble head kens of the media (and cnn, specifically)? they are as out of touch with the real america as the damned politicians! no WONDER we don't get news relevant to the rest of us!
BLEEEECH! going to wash my eyes out with clorox now!