Rep. Cleaver's SBA loan: A story made for a good media outlet and reporter

If ever there were a story that seemed made for a good reporter and media outlet--be it newspaper or local TV station--this one right now about Representative Emanuel Cleaver and his $1.46 million loan from the SBA that's "going South" seems to be just the one. Here you have a situation where the local, sitting government representative to Washington and the Federal government has taken out a government loan AND HE'S NOT GOING TO REPAY IT? This on top of the fact that in the past he's gotten caught with outstanding taxes unpaid? I'm not saying anyone's guilty of anything here, either. I'm just saying here's a story that has stink all over it and some reporting bloodhound should be all over it. Where's Russ Ptacek when you need him? Say, what about Chris Hernandez? SOMEBODY, please take this and run with it. Please. According to Newsbusters today, no one is going with the story, so far. This, I repeat, stinks. Somebody, somewhere, sic 'em. Please? Links: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/06/3540958/taxpayers-could-have-to-cover.html; http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2012/04/09/more-emanuel-car-wash-cleaver-coverage-ap-does-local-story-doesnt-name-p; http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2012/04/09/kid-glove-treatment-emanuel-car-wash-cleaver-kc-star-ap-has-no-national-

We deserve answers and information, Rep. Cleaver

Last week we were given the news (see link below) that our own Representative Emanuel Cleaver II took out an SBA loan for $1,100,000 and now we, the taxpayers, will likely have to "eat" that loan. Well, I can only say--and it needs to be said--that we'd like to hear from good Mr. Cleaver on the matter. I'd like to know why we shouldn't be mad as hell about this, Rep. Cleaver. The Star, in the article, says they tried to get answers but couldn't get any. I'll be damned if I'll vote for him again unless or until this is cleared and cleaned up. So far, nothing from him or his office, to my knowledge. The same standards for every other politician applies to this one, for sure. Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/04/06/3540958/taxpayers-could-have-to-cover.html

Missourians brow-beaten by Texas attorneys

A Texas law firm has been sending letters to churches, trying to say that "..."criminal penalties apply to the collection of signatures for an initiative petition. It also warned that religious organizations trying to influence legislation 'may lose their tax-exempt status.'" Why would this law firm do this? Why, because churches, statewide, have been organizing and collecting signatures to propose a vote on the regulation of payday loans in Missouri. You know, the people who charge upwards of 400% in interest rates for their loans? A little data: "A Missouri Division of Finance study conducted in 2007 found the average age of consumers taking out payday loans was 43 with an income of a little more than $24,000. The average interest rate for a payday loan in Missouri is 445 percent annually. The national average is 391 percent." As Rev. Richard Creason, pastor of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in St. Louis said, "It's an effort to intimidate and pretend that we have no First Amendment rights as citizens of this country." Personally, I'm all about churches staying out of elections of individuals but this is utterly different. This is about helping people on an issue about the poor. They shouldn't tell anyone for whom to vote in an election but this is about organizing for an issue. From the article (link at bottom: The IRS prohibits political campaign activity on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office by houses of worship that are tax-exempt through their status as a 501(c)(3) organization. But the IRS defines political activities and legislative activities — or lobbying — as different things. Religious organizations can engage in "a limited amount" of lobbying, including ballot measures, and can advocate for (or against) political issues. Hopefully this will blow up in the faces of the attorneys in Texas. Regardless, this initiative should go forward. Link to original post: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/letters-warn-against-petitions-on-payday-loan-fee-issue/article_d7b08603-b0f4-5dda-a085-d66c4efb29ff.html

Great news on "payday loan" outlets

Great news last evening when I saw that a local organization is pushing to get a payday loan law passed for the state so they can be regulated, in the first place, but also so the highest interest rate they can charge isn't 400 percent or even up to 1,950 percent. Yes, right now all that is possible and it's disgusting. It preys on the poor. From KCTV 5 News: KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - A grassroots group of community and faith leaders announced Tuesday that they will ask Missouri voters to approve a measure capping the rate of interest charged on payday loans. The group, which is calling itself Missourians for Responsible Lending, hopes to have the measure placed on the November 2012 ballot. Missouri has among the weakest laws and regulations in the United States. In Missouri, the storefront lenders can charge as much as 1,950 percent interest. In Missouri, the average interest rate for a payday loan is 445 percent annually. What it boils down to is, folks, we all need to get behind this law, help get the signatures and get this on the ballot and then vote for it so it passes. "Usury" used to be against the law. This kind of abuse should be. Link: http://www.kctv5.com/story/15238754/group-aims-to-get-missouri-voters-to-cap-payday-loans

Thank you, Mr. President...

you did the right thing.



I hoped that, one day soon, I'd be able to say something like that, if not that very thing, to or about President George W. Bush and that day has come.

A little while ago, the sitting President made 17.4 billion dollars of loan money available to the "Big 3" automakers, to ensure they won't go bankrupt--not right away, anyway. He/we took it from the TARP boondoggle originally planned for the banks.

So, yes, Mr. President, you/we did the right thing and thank you for that.

But then, could you really have these 3 huge pillars of American production capacity go bankrupt on your and Republican watch?

No, not really.

We are, as the President said, already in a bad way, so to speak, and just can't let these guys go down.

Sure there are all kinds of strings attached and that's as it should be. This kind of largesse shouldn't be without some quid pro quos and responsibilities, in sharp contrast to the unrestrained monies they've thrown--so far--to Wall Street and the investment banks, which is totally inexplicable and, yes, irresposible but that's another story.

For now, we can breathe a small sigh of relief.

For now.