5 Stupid ‘fixes’ for money woes…

Desperate times can make for bad decisions. Remember: If a solution sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And the words ‘quick and easy’ should set off alarm bells.

By Liz Pulliam Weston

A souring economy brings many unpleasant things. Layoffs. Bankruptcies. And what can only be called the Bad Idea Brigade.

Most of these are businesses that thrive on consumers’ desperation and desire for a quick fix. Their advertisements on the Web, radio and television are kicking into high gear right about now.

Out of money? Don’t worry, they say, you can hock your next paycheck or your car. In debt? They’ll make it go away or at least make it more “affordable.”

Or maybe you’ve come up with your own “solution” for a money problem: raiding your retirement funds. The money’s just sitting there, right? Here’s what to think about the next time you’re tempted by one of these fixes:

The OP-ED the NY Times doesn’t want you to see written by Senator John McCain

By Sen. John McCain

In January 2007, when General David Petraeus took command in Iraq, he called the situation “hard” but not “hopeless.” Today, 18 months later, violence has fallen by up to 80 percent to the lowest levels in four years, and Sunni and Shiite terrorists are reeling from a string of defeats. The situation now is full of hope, but considerable hard work remains to consolidate our fragile gains.

New Hampshire Governor signs 36% interest cap into law

Arizona could be the next state to end predatory 400% loans

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed a bill this week capping interest rates for payday and car-title loans at 36 percent. The cap will take effect January 1, 2009, protecting that state’s citizens from the cycle of debt created when payday lenders make high-interest loans to cash-poor borrowers. Payday lending was effectively legalized in New Hampshire when the state small loan rate cap was eliminated in 2000.

Shouldn’t there be a law against being stupid?

The Associated Press reported that a Hartford, Connecticut, man, who was robbed buying crack cocaine, called police who later arrested him.

Warner, Obama and Dems making oil their “fourth rail”

The Democratic Party has spent a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money promoting scare tactics and divisive measures to protect their sacred cow social security, or as it is commonly referred to, “the third rail.”

As a result, the burdens of entitlements like social security are quickly becoming overwhelming to the long term health of the American economy. While Democrats see such challenges as opportunities to justify higher taxes, others see the problem as an indicator that changes need to be made in how government conducts its business. The protestations of Democrats and their lack of leadership have eliminated the possibility of real reform for Americans depending on such programs for their retirement, and now they’re doing the same thing with regards to drilling for oil in our back yard.

It’s the oil stupid…