Credit Cards…’Love ‘Em And Then Hate ‘Em’
Posted by Michelle Moquin on May 28th, 2009
Yes…that is exactly how I feel. I have a few that I ‘love’, especially when I was making a purchase…and then…then I see the balance and the ‘hate’ sets in. :) All I want to do is pay them off and be done with it. Thankfully I have pretty low rates locked in and I am basically not charging anything, and paying them off. I am a cash girl these days and I look forward to the day when my last check is written to these credit card companies.
Also as a side note….I was listening to NPR the other day and this woman from some credit company was talking about fees that some people were not aware of. One that she mentioned really perked my ears so I’ll give you the heads up.
So get this: Not only do some credit cards charge you fees while you’re overseas making purchases, (I think we’ve all heard of this) but…if you happen to make a purchase using good ‘ol US dollars, and the company that you are buying from happens to be overseas…watch out, many are charging fees for the conversion too. And these days, what company overseas isn’t selling in the US? Just something to be aware of.
Anyway this has been a hot topic in the news lately so I thought I would post this article.
Credit Card Industry Aims to Profit From Sterling Payers
Credit cards have long been a very good deal for people who pay their bills on time and in full. Even as card companies imposed punitive fees and penalties on those late with their payments, the best customers racked up cash-back rewards, frequent-flier miles and other perks in recent years.
Related
What Does Your Credit-Card Company Know About You? (May 17, 2009)
Should responsible card users be penalized for paying off their monthly balance?
Now Congress is moving to limit the penalties on riskier borrowers, who have become a prime source of billions of dollars in fee revenue for the industry. And to make up for lost income, the card companies are going after those people with sterling credit.
Banks are expected to look at reviving annual fees, curtailing cash-back and other rewards programs and charging interest immediately on a purchase instead of allowing a grace period of weeks, according to bank officials and trade groups.
“It will be a different business,” said Edward L. Yingling, the chief executive of the American Bankers Association, which has been lobbying Congress for more lenient legislation on behalf of the nation’s biggest banks. “Those that manage their credit well will in some degree subsidize those that have credit problems.”
As they thin their ranks of risky cardholders to deal with an economic downturn, major banks including American Express, Citigroup, Bank of America and a long list of others have already begun to raise interest rates, and some have set their sights on consumers who pay their bills on time. The legislation scheduled for a Senate vote on Tuesday does not cap interest rates, so banks can continue to lift them, albeit at a slower pace and with greater disclosure.
“There will be one-size-fits-all pricing, and as a result, you’ll see the industry will be more egalitarian in terms of its revenue base,” said David Robertson, publisher of the Nilson Report, which tracks the credit card business.
People who routinely pay off their credit card balances have been enjoying the equivalent of a free ride, he said, because many have not had to pay an annual fee even as they collect points for air travel and other perks.
“Despite all the terrible things that have been said, you’re making out like a bandit,” he said. “That’s a third of credit card customers, 50 million people who have gotten a great deal.”
Robert Hammer, an industry consultant, said the legislation might have the broad effect of encouraging card issuers to become ever more reliant on fees from marginal customers as well as creditworthy cardholders — “deadbeats” in industry parlance, because they generate scant fee revenue.
“They aren’t charities. They have shareholders to report to,” he said, referring to banks and credit card companies. “Whatever is left in the model to work from, they will start to maneuver.”
Banks used to give credit cards only to the best consumers and charge them a flat interest rate of about 20 percent and an annual fee. But with the relaxing of usury laws in some states, and the ready availability of credit scores in the late 1980s, banks began offering cards with a variety of different interest rates and fees, tying the pricing to the credit risk of the cardholder.
That helped push interest rates down for many consumers, but they soared for riskier cardholders, who became a significant source of revenue for the industry. The recent economic downturn challenged that formula, and banks started dumping the riskiest customers and lowering their credit limits in earnest as the recession accelerated. Now, consumers who pay their bills off every month are issuing a rising chorus of complaints about shortened grace periods, new hidden fees and higher interest rates.
The industry says that the proposals will force banks to issue fewer credit cards at greater cost to the current cardholders.
Citigroup and Capital One referred comments to the A.B.A. Discover and American Express declined to comment. Bank of America intends to “provide credit to the largest number of creditworthy customers possible, while also remaining prudent in our lending practices,” said Betty Riess, a spokeswoman. Together with JPMorgan Chase, which has said the changes will force it to limit credit availability and raise fees, these banks account for 80 percent of the credit card industry.
Banks are not required to publicly reveal how much money they make from penalty interest rates and fees, though government officials and industry consultants estimate they constitute a growing portion of revenue.
For instance, Mr. Hammer said the amount of money generated by penalty fees like late charges and exceeding credit limits had increased by about $1 billion annually in recent years, and should top $20 billion this year.
Regulations passed by the Federal Reserve in December to curb unexpected interest charges would cost issuers about $12 billion a year in lost fees and income, according to industry calculations. The legislation before Congress would build on the Fed rules and would further squeeze banks’ revenue when they are being hit with a high rate of credit card charge-offs. The government’s stress tests showed that the nation’s 19 biggest banks will take on $82 billion in credit card losses in the next two years.
A 2005 report by the Government Accountability Office estimated that 70 percent of card issuers’ revenue came from interest charges, and the portion from penalty rates appeared to be growing. The remainder came from fees on cardholders as well as retailers for processing transactions. Many retailers are angry at the high fees and plan to pass them on to shoppers once the Congressional legislation takes effect.
Consumer advocates say they have little sympathy for credit card issuers, arguing that they have made billions in recent years with unfair and sometimes deceptive practices.
“The business model will change because the business model doesn’t work for the public,” said Gail Hillebrand, a senior lawyer at Consumers Union.
“In order to do business under the new rules, they’ll actually have to tell you how much it’s going to cost,” she said.
With many consumers mired in debt and angry at what they consider gouging by credit card companies, the issue of credit card reform has broad populist appeal. Members of Congress and the Obama administration have seized on the discontent to push reforms that the industry succeeded in tamping down when the economy was flying high.
Austan Goolsbee, an economic adviser to President Obama, said that while the credit card industry had the right to make a reasonable profit as long as its contracts were in plain language and rule-breakers were held accountable, its current practices were akin to “a series of carjackings.”
“The card industry is giving the argument that if you didn’t want to be carjacked, why weren’t you locking your doors or taking a different road?” Mr. Goolsbee said.
Ron Lieber contributed reportin
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Zen Lill: Good to hear from you. I understand ‘busy’….I think we all do. In regards to your comment: It’s one thing to have somebody say such a thing, admit to such thoughts (especially live – no anonymity there), but to have applause in an audience – what does that tell you? It tells me, once again, we have a long way to go to becoming a planet of world citizenship.
You know me…being, I am an ‘eye for an eye’ girl, I’m with Lia…I just wonder how he would like it done to his balls.
AL: I thought we were over this. I hold no resentment. I mean c’mon….It was just an amusing observation that made me smile. You ‘n me…I don’t know. As long as we have been communicating on this blog, I feel my words are often misconstrued by you and you don’t quite get me. That in itself amuses me….but we can keep trying :)
Twani: I hear you loud and clear.
Have a fab day everyone!
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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May 28th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Michelle.
I am not even sure what you are talking about, still. Your saying “It was just an amusing observation that made me smile” has me baffled completely. I have not been holding any grudge with you Period, at all, no-way.
And my comment was more of observation that I had made in regards to something in another area of my life.
So lookie here, we are 100% cool, far as I know. Why would you think I had a grudge on you anyways, if I should have one due to something you said that I may have miscunstrued, don’t tell me about it, it already went over my head the first time or I forgot about it. Is it something worth archiving? I guess I’ll check it out and then I will laugh out loud. May peace,love and eternal cosmic wisdom shower you throughout the days to come.
We are cool right? Now I will read your post for today, and maybe find something new to gripe about! Just “KIDDING”, damnit Michelle, Still just kiddin’ or funnin’.
AL “a” mode
May 28th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Is my fly open?
May 28th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hey Misch, good subject, just got back from reading that first article in its entirety, six pages, excellent article, back in the day out advertising selling point was all about ‘pyschographics’ so yes, this is a huge deciding factor for companies to do biz with you and how to do it so it appeals to your sensibilities, very interesting stuff (and a total invasion of privacy in my opinion, but, whatever…) so I will definietly get back and read more later, busy (hahaha) with work to do and I’m a bit sleep depped today : ( I do know those numerous daily ‘take our credit card with 0% APR for a spin’ mailers have died out, they don’t want me nor do I want them, I pay debit card/cash or I don’t buy.
Btw, Misch, I can’t stand it when people spout their unsolicited opinions at me, but it’s my approachable face, they think they can say anything and not be judged, and they’re right…I don’t judge it, I just think it’s weird that they’d think I would automatically agree.
AL “a” mode (love that!) – hey bro : ) thanks for commenting on my site, there’s a comment for you today before entry…’asking others about your SWOT in life’ – btw, you and Mischa are behaving like a couple of siblings under the influence lately, I don’t follow the train of thought, so I’ll ask what any maternal woman would, ‘do I have to separate you two???” now imagine my thumb squeezing that tender part of your upper arm (my parents found this spot particularly effective in shutting me down, apparently the Spock Vulcan neck touch came later)…you two are funny is all I can say…please do carry on : )
& yes, Al dente, your fly is open, xyz babe.
Luv, Zen Lill
May 28th, 2009 at 11:02 am
The Island is making money so come on back Chamorros.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Census Bureau Announces Guam Economy Grew by 36 Percent in Sales Between 2002 and 2007
U.S. Census Bureau logo. (PRNewsFoto/U.S. Census Bureau)
WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Guam’s economy generated $6.2 billion in sales in 2007, up from $4.6 billion in 2002, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2007 Economic Census of Island Areas: Geographic Area Series for Guam.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)
The economic census profiles Guam’s economy every 5 years. In 2007, Guam had 3,143 businesses with paid employees. These businesses employed 52,394 people and accounted for $1.1 billion in annual payroll. This compares with 2002, when Guam had 2,926 employer businesses, with 43,104 employees and an annual payroll of $846 million.
The 2007 census data include statistics for Guam and its 19 election districts for businesses with paid employees. Guam is a U.S. territory in the western Pacific Ocean.
Other findings:
In 2007, the retail trade sector in Guam accounted for $1.6 billion in sales, employed 8,219 people and paid $150 million in annual payroll. This compared with 2002, when the sector saw sales of $1.3 billion, employed 7,402 people and had an annual payroll of $123 million.
The largest share of retail sales in Guam was found in general merchandise stores ($334 million) and food and beverage stores ($327 million). In 2002, general merchandise stores sales were $299 million and food and beverage stores sales were $259 million.
Businesses in the Tamuning election district reported $3.6 billion in total sales – more than 57 percent of total sales in 2007, compared with $2.7 billion in 2002.
Guam had 193 businesses with 50 or more employees in 2007, representing 6 percent of all businesses. These businesses accounted for 57 percent ($3.6 billion) of total sales. In 2002, there were 169 businesses with 50 or more employees, accounting for $2.2 billion in total sales.
These data for Guam are available through the Census Bureau’s American FactFinder, an online data tool that allows users to access, filter, manipulate and extract data. Data for the Northern Mariana Islands were released in March 2009. Data for the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Puerto Rico will be released between July 2009 and September 2010. More information about the Economic Census of Island Areas is available at http://www.census.gov/econ/islandareas/index.html.
Editor’s note: More information about the 2007 Economic Census of Island Areas can be found at http://www.census.gov/econ/islandareas/index.html. For information on confidentiality protection, nonsampling error and definitions, see the Methodology description at http://www.census.gov/econ/islandareas/methodology.html.
Contact: Public Information Office, 301-763-3030
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau
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May 28th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I was under the impression that the role of a Supreme Court justice was to interpret the constitution, not legislate from the bench. Sotomayor is on record stating that the appeals court job is to “make policy”. If a white person had made her moronic comments about ” a latino woman being more qualified to make decisions than a white man” they would be tarred and feathered by the press, and the far left bloggers.
Yes she will be confirmed. This country seems determined to self destruct. Nikita Kruschev stated that eventually we would be defeated from within. Looks to me like he may have been right.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
This is a great read:
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Juanita Cruz: The heart of a woman
IN 1966, Magdalena Jalandoni, the grand dame of Hiligaynon literature, finished writing a novel of panoramic proportions.
Entitled “Juanita Cruz”, the novel was about the struggle of a woman to free herself from the clutches of a male dominated and norm-ridden society. Born to a rich family in Jaro, she was unfazed when her walls crumbled. Instead of drowning in the tides of misfortunes that befell her, she faced them and built her own destiny.
It took years before “Juanita Cruz” got to the drawing board. Sometime in the 1990s, plans were already being made to transform the novel into a movie or a theatrical production. During the centennial year, scenes from the novel were already being visualized for a movie set. At the start of the millennium, “Juanita Cruz” came up once again as a possible major production. However, it seemed at that time that to conquer the heart of a woman, the heart of “Juanita Cruz” was a task equivalent to Don Quixote’s giant windmills. Questions churned like “How does one transform a historical novel of epic proportions into a theatrical presentation?” “What scenes should be considered for the stage?” “Can we really mount this production on stage?” “Who is Juanita Cruz?”
How much do we know about the woman who, in the 19th century already struggled for her womanhood? “Juanita Cruz” is a work of fiction. To get to know her would probably to get to know the writer who has earned the distinction of being the first Filipino to have her novel published.
Magdalena Jalandoni was born in 1891. At 16, she wrote her first novel. Despite her mother’s insistence that it was not proper for a woman to dedicate her time to writing and that she should learn womanly chores, Magdalena Jalandoni pursued her love for literature. Her passion for writing earned her the First-Republic Cultural Heritage Award for Literature in 1969 among many other awards. At the time of her death she has written 6 volumes composed of 24 novels, poems, dramas, an historical epic and short stories.
She remained single in her life since she hoped for a man who was not only very handsome, but someone who has the soul of an artist. This man was Elias Navarro, the man in the life of “Juanita Cruz”.
The very attributes of Elias triggered Juanita’s downfall. She was disinherited and disowned by her family. Because of Elias, Juanita walked the road where only a few would dare venture. She pursued her passion for the man in her life. She eventually supported the revolution. She shaped her dreams and turned them into realities during those times when women kept their voices in their hearts.
Magdalena Jalandoni did not silence herself. She found her voice in her writings. She perhaps found herself in the soul of Juanita. And like Juanita, her heart spoke of her dreams and her intense pursuit to be heard and to find a place for herself in a world once dominated by men.
Juanita, at the turning point in her life, was faced with waves that would otherwise have drowned her in uncharted depths of the ocean. Instead she rose above those waves and walked the uncharted paths. She cried and raged. At times her steps wavered, but she forged on.
This is our “Juanita Cruz”. This is the heart of a woman. And this is how we should mount this production – with unyielding passion since we can only cross this path once in our life.
Some people thought “Juanita Cruz” should be made into a film. Some people thought it would be beautiful on stage. We listened to these people and we listened to our hearts. The fusion of film and theater is a potent brew that can bring stage productions into new heights. “Juanita Cruz” brought us here. We hope we are one with her spirit and we hope we can rise with her when the production opens on August 28.
This production is our phoenix and our unicorn. We have yet to make this into a reality in the weeks to come. Day to day we go through our waves of challenges. We find ourselves praying to another woman’s heart to guide us through this. We know she always answers prayer. Meanwhile, we will work.
We will buckle up and brace ourselves for the rush and surge of energy. “Juanita Cruz” will soon come to life.
“Juanita Cruz” will open at Our Lady’s Hall, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus on August 28 with a matinee performance at 2:00 P.M. and a gala performance at 6:00 P.M.
Other performances will be on August 29, September 4, 5, 12, 14 and 26 with matinee and gala performances as well. On October 8, the production will move to Manila with performances at Intramuros on October 8 and 11, Sta. Isabel on October 10, Clark Pampanga on October 12 and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Little Theater on October 17. For ticket reservations for the Iloilo City performances, please call (033) 3374654 local 104.
In the production are Debbie Grace Andaya, Archie Arenga, Elsie Flores-Gancia, Asela Labaro, Winston Lee, Mel Julien Madriguera, Faith Pinedes, Robert Rodrigues and Basti Salazar.
Sr. Ma. Lourdes S. Verzosa, D.C., heads the production team as executive producer. Associate producer is Sr. Remedios Tidor, D.C. Director of photography is Rhodora Solis while set and lighting designer is Roman Sanares. Technical design is by Sr. Araceli Loredo, DC. Susan G. Ong handles the costume design. Crista Sianson Huyong sets the production to music. Over-all direction is by Kevin Piamonte. Adopting the novel into a neo-sarsuela is Alice Tan-Gonzales. Helen Desiree Terre is the production manager.
The production will be presented by the National Commission for Cultural and the Arts in cooperation with Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.
Evita
May 28th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Natural Treatment for Prostate Enlargement: Hope or Hype?
Kevin T. McVary, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Besides saw palmetto, which has been proven ineffective, there is an array of natural supplements that are reputed to relieve symptoms of benign prostate enlargement (BPH). While none of these supplements is believed to be unsafe, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re all effective. A quick report card on the most popular natural BPH treatments…
PROMISING
Lycopene. There’s evidence that this antioxidant compound — found in red tomatoes and in processed tomato products, such as tomato sauce, tomato paste and ketchup — may lower the risk for prostate cancer. It’s currently an area of active investigation as a potential treatment for BPH as well.
Omega-3 fatty acids (taken in food, such as fish or avocados, or in flaxseed or fish oil supplements) have a beneficial impact on the vascular system, which is good for general health — including the health of the prostate gland. Their vascular effects may improve erection quality (which can be impaired by some BPH medications) and may also hold benefits for certain urinary disorders.
Pygeum africanum. This bark extract is a promising medication based on preliminary data from human and laboratory studies, but at this point, no specific mechanism of action has been identified and no proven impact on BPH has been demonstrated. Further investigation is needed.
NOT PROMISING
Rye grass pollen extract. No sound studies have found convincing evidence of its effectiveness.
Stinging nettle. No sound studies have found convincing evidence of its effectiveness.
Zinc (taken in food, such as pumpkin seeds, or in supplement form). Studies have found that zinc has no impact on BPH.
Retirement interviewed Kevin T. McVary, MD, professor of urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. He is chairman of the American Urological Association’s Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Guidelines Panel, http://www.auanet.org.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:23 am
“I was under the impression that the role of a Supreme Court justice was to interpret the constitution, not legislate from the bench. ”
What does that mean, precisely?
May 28th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Anon7, it means that anon4 has memorized his talking points. Just about every decision the Supreme Court makes changes the law as we knew it before. That would be making law. It seems that that fact is only important if the group who has enjoyed the benefits of the old law has to adjust.
Linda
May 28th, 2009 at 11:29 am
It means exactly what it said. Laws are made by the legislative branch, not the judicial branch of government. Activist judges such as Sotomayor believe they should substitute their personal views and values, and make them law. Now that was easy wasn’t it.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:44 am
The repugs like to say the Supreme Court leans towards being conservative. What they mean is that the majority of judges lean towards deciding in favor of white america’s interests.
It is considered liberal to believe that OTWs should have the same rights as whites. My question is why do the OTWs accept this supposition. Why not consider it racists to believe that conservatism as it is defined by these Orwellians is okay?
Charles
May 28th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Isn’t it great when comments are completely taken out of context. On HuffPo today there’s a great article that details her “moronic” comments about the Latina experience making her more able to relate. And White people make comments like that all the time they’re just shrouded in politically correct mumbo jumbo. She’s been called an itch with a b, stupid, and racist all within the last 24 hours all by white people. Except the words were “don’t feel she has the intellectual capacity”, “agressive”, and ” reverse discrimination”. Racism and discrimination is so dangerous because White people don’t have to say exactly what they mean to get the same result.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Anon4 where were you and your anti-activist cohorts when the Supreme Court were legislating from the bench that “Separate but equal” was legal? That was okay because it benefited you white boys.
Where were you and your cohorts when Scalia decided that the voter in the state of Florida didn’t need a recount. Oh, that bit of activism was okay because it benefited your desires.
So whether or not a judge is an “activist” depends on what he decides. I got it.
Burt
May 28th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Actually, for many, many years I have resented the fact that we do not have more women on the supreme court and in the senate. I also resent old white men interpreting anything regarding women and what is best for them, whether they are hispanic, black, or white.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
The Repubs would like to block Sotomayor’s nomination, but they know that the do not have the votes to do it. Instead they will use the confirmation process to expose Obama’s attempt to enact his far left agenda vicariously through Sotomayor. They will highlight her attempts to legislate from the bench, substitute “empathy” for solid constitutional reasoning, and her reverse-racist agenda as exemplified by her ruling in the Ricci firefighter case from Connecticut. If they accomplish those goals they will consider it a victory.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Check out the qualifications of the other 43 white men who were President. You will find that whether or not they got a chance to nominate a candidate to the Supreme Court, President is the most qualified President to nominate someone to the Court.
Mary
May 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I think the last thing we need is another “centrist” on the Supreme Court, (because nothing will change). I don”t know about you, but when I negotiate for something, I start by asking for more then I need, in order to get what I need.
Like I said be for, just being the first black president, isn”t change enough.
JC
May 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I’ve been waiting for a brilliant move by Obama, besides getting elected. This could be it. Next up, universal health care.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
President Obama has more to offer yet. I think we are in for a great time for poli-watchers.
I was exited to see this woman, so full of experiences from life’s challenges, tempered by struggle and buoyed by success.
Thank you Mr. President for injecting some humanity into an otherwise inhuman, powerful law machine!
Sonia, good luck on your confirmation!
May 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I wouldn’t believe Maddow or Oldberman if they told me today was Wednesday. I wonder if Maddow’s sexual orientation has something to do with here opinion.
May 28th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Anon4, I wonder if the sexual orientation of those who give you your talking points has something to do with your opinions. Boneheaded as they are, I can’t imagine that you thought them up on your own. Assholes like you live vicariously through the hatred of others.
Burt
May 28th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
What’s in a name? Not much
Obese folks considering weight-loss surgery might feel reassured when they choose a hospital that’s been labeled a “center of excellence.”
The truth is, these hospitals are no better than any other when it comes to complications and even deaths, according to a study published in a recent issue of the Archives of Surgery.
The study looked at 19,363 patients, 5,420 of whom had their procedures done at those so-called bariatric surgery “centers of excellence.” This is a label slapped on hospitals by a group called the Surgical Review Corporation after the place meets the group’s guidelines and sends out a check for the privilege.
Researchers found that 0.17 percent of the patients in these centers of excellence died, versus 0.09 percent in the other hospitals.
They also found 6.3 percent of the patients in the centers of excellence developed complications, versus 6.4 percent in the supposedly non-excellent hospitals.
If those numbers don’t look all that different, it’s because they’re not. It’s a statistical tie. Yet many insurers will only pay for procedures in hospitals given the “centers of excellence” designation.
The simple fact of the matter is you don’t need to choose between these different kinds of hospitals. Gastric bypass surgeries and similar procedures are potentially dangerous and often traumatic.
And in the end, the patient will need to learn the same sensible eating habits that would have kept him out of the operating room in the first place.
When it comes to weight loss, there is one recipe for success, whether you need to drop a spare tire or a whole car.
It means re-learning what you think you know about food. I have come to call it the Torture Chamber Diet. It is filled with low-fat foods that are high in carbs (sugar). These foods will, in the long run, only make you fatter and less healthy — and if you need any proof, just look around you at what a couple generations of “low-fat” dieting has produced.
Too often, people who opt for weight-loss surgery step out of the operating room and right back into “the torture chamber.”
Instead, focus on eating better and getting more exercise. Avoid those carbs, processed foods and “low-fat” foods. Eat sensible portions in balanced meals that include healthy fats and proteins along with fresh vegetables.
Keep at it, and you’ll lose the weight. I can guarantee it. Not only that, but you’ll learn a better way to live too.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Sorry, I don’t feel sorry for the Latinos. Until they threw their support behind Obama they voted republican in every election.
It seems they are learning the lesson that will be taught to the asians who still vote mostly republican.
That lesson would be the white boy will carry OTWs until they start asking for a piece of the pie. Then they will turn on you like a mad dog.
My white family were great friends with my boyfriend’s latino family until they found out that we liked each other romantically.
They were one big happy republican family. I was the wayward dem. My boyfriend, husband now, even tried to get me to vote for McCain.
He is a wonderful man. But he is a man. As such he is as dumb as the proverbial box of rocks.
Well, he finally gets it. Last night after reading, hearing, and seeing streams of videos degrading and slandering Sonia Sotomayor, he finally had enough. He is swearing off the republican party.
My family gave me and the rest of their children a trust fund worth tens of millions of dollars a year. My husband’s family has done the same for members of their family. They are far more wealthier than mine.
This did not matter to my family. They refused to attend the wedding held at the catholic church both our families have attended for more than ten years. They refuse to allow my child to visit. My husband is white, he graduated from Walton College of Economics. He speaks impeccable english. He is a latino racially.
But until last night, he though of himself as white. He used to refuse to speak spanish in from of our child which angered his family who are also republican but very proud of their latino heritage.
Now he has become a rabid latino. He is out rounding up latinos to help donate to Sotomayor’s cause. I finally have a man I can be proud of. Now, I can speak spanish with my child openly. Fortunately, I spoke to her in spanish when he was away.
My advice to OTWs who are republicans is that white republicans only tolerate you. As soon as they return home to their families they dis you in the worse way. I know my family often referred to the asians as gooks, the blacks as niggers, and any latino as wetbacks.
I predict some appointment by Obama of an asian to a sensitive office will cause the republicans to turn on them too.
Cynthia
May 28th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I am the new visitor to your planet. I have been here before when you were not so rich in nutrients. My kind live off the bacteria on human skin. When we first discovered your planet we were not aware that you were being protected by the federation.
We had never seem beings like you. You were abundantly rich in the food that we needed. Hence we were more than willing to fight for the right to mine you. We left and engaged the federation far away from your solar system. We did not wish damaging you.
Unfortunately my kind was vanquished by the vice general of the federation fleet. He has since become the Emperor, a colonizer in his own right.
I am delighted to be back. i will being immediately farming you. I don’t think you are aware of the numbers and variety of bacterial you harbor on your bodies. Each part of your body provides an excellent environment different sets of bacteria. All so very, very tasty.
I will give this information to your scientists. They would not have been able to detect the millions of different types of bacteria that live on your skin. But using DNA technology they will be able to type them. It will be most interesting for humans to learn that they are a planet unto themselves. Providing a home for billions of microscopic entities.
All of which are very tasty to my kind. I love every inch of your bodies. Some are more tasty, and or more nutritious than others.
You humans may get lucky. If the gods take a liking to you, you will write yourself a new story. But beware, they have physical appetites.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Q: When does a durable power of attorney for finances end?
A: A power of attorney document appoints an agent, called an attorney-in-fact, to act on your behalf. It ends at your death, so, if you wish your attorney-in-fact to handle things after your death, such as making funeral arrangements, paying your debts or transferring your property to inheritors, you need to name that person as your executor in your will.
Your durable power of attorney also ends if you revoke it. Let’s say you become ill and your attorney-in-fact handles your financial affairs. Later on, you recover and are able to write checks, monitor your portfolio, etc. At that point, you can revoke your durable power of attorney.
To do so, inform the attorney-in-fact in writing and ask him/her to return all copies of your power of attorney. Also, notify your bank or other financial institutions where he has used the power of attorney that it has been revoked. State law varies, so check with your lawyer to see what needs to be done in your state.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:18 am
I give up. Spent an hour with making a comment and lost the whole thing, and I was on a good roll.
Hi Michelle, you would have enjoyed hearing what took me an hour or more to say… All Good
Zenn Lill, needn’t go maternal. you are a sibling, keep those thumb nails short and smooth. Sounds kinda cruel, your seperation technique… I’ll have to check with Mrs.Dr. Spock
TAO, welcome to our new visitor with the interesting appetite.
gotta go and I had said so much to cyberspace
Michelle, your blog is the bomb
AL”a”Mode Al”a”Carte
May 29th, 2009 at 6:21 am
but beware.. remember you were warned..