Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Predatory lenders and consumer protection (5:27m vido)

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Friday, March 12, 2010

Predatory lenders and consumer protection (5:27m vido)

from McClatchy News. An interview with the reporter who is following the events in Washington re a consumer protection agency.

It is completely obvious that a consumer protection agency would need to be independent. However the current ruling corporate class cannot tolerate any hint of an independent consumer agency to protect ordinary Americans from their predatory practices. Liberals (e.g. Sen. Dodd) only make a pretense of pushing for an independent agency. If you don't believe me, wait and see what actually happens.