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Public gives low ratings to president, Congress. Critics say people are tired of lobbyists' hold
By David Knox
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Sep 28, 2008
Lincoln said the American government is ''of the people, by the people, for the people.''
So why are so many of the people unhappy with their government?
Eight out of 10 voting-age Americans are ''dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States,'' according to the latest Gallup Poll.
Earlier this year — even before gas prices broke $4 a gallon and Wall Street's financial crisis — Gallup found about the same share of Americans consider ''the failure of the government to solve the major challenges facing the country in the last few years'' to be a ''major problem'' or ''crisis.''
The dissatisfaction starts with the top.
Nearly two of three registered voters surveyed in a Fox News/Opinion Dynamics Poll this month ''disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as president.''
Even more are unhappy with the legislative branch.
A Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll reported last month that Congress' approval rating was down to 17 percent.
To explore why so many think their elected officials are not responsive to their needs, the Beacon Journal went to the people whose job is to get action from government — the heads of nonprofit advocacy groups.
The answer most often heard is that when money talks, elected officials listen.
''The biggest problem in politics today is the scandalous and corrupting influence of money within the system — it mutes the voice of average citizens,'' said Tom Allio, executive director of the Catholic Commission of Summit County and the social action director of the Diocese of Cleveland. ''Money translates into access.
''Money translates, more often than not, into special interests crafting legislation that becomes the law of the land.''
Allio said there are nearly 1,400 registered lobbyists for the Ohio General Assembly — more than 10 per legislator.
There are more than 17,000 lobbyists for Congress and federal agencies, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan, nonprofit Washington research group that tracks money in politics. Total lobbying spending was $2.8 billion last year — an average of more than $5 million per legislator.
Allio said competing with the ''power of big money'' is difficult, but not impossible. He cited the success this year of the Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending in getting bipartisan legislation cutting the annual interest rate on short-term loans from 391 percent to 28 percent — essentially closing down the ''payday lending'' industry.
Allio said the group's strategy was ''to seek the common ground among diverse groups in order to find consensus.''
''We had labor unions participate, we had housing advocates, we had consumer groups part of this coalition. It was a three-year effort that involved 246 groups. No single organization could have single-handedly accomplished what we were able to do.''
Most of the other nonprofit officials interviewed agreed that the lobbying clout of special interests was a barrier to good government.
Another point of view
There was an exception: David Zanotti, Cleveland-area businessman and president of the Ohio Roundtable, doesn't think there is too much money in politics.
''I don't buy that at all,'' he said. ''I'm not sure we shouldn't spend more money making sure people understand what's going on in civil government.''
Zanotti — whose group backed establishing term limits for state legislators, supports school vouchers and charter schools, and opposes casino gambling and mandatory sick pay for workers — blamed the public for allowing elected officials to become ''a mandarin class, a ruling elite,'' insulated from their constituents and dependent on special interests to finance their re-election.
''The general citizenry is happy to let their lives be filled up with everything but politics,'' he said. ''They spend far more time on the Internet looking at anything but political sites, far more time on television looking at anything but news.''
While opposing Allio on many issues, Zanotti agreed that grass-roots organizing — ''people networks'' — can beat big-money special interests.
Zanotti noted that Ohio voters repeatedly have rejected legalizing casino gambling by wide margins — despite a mismatch in campaign financing. (Another effort — a constitutional amendment — is on the November ballot.)
''Forty million dollars spent to advocate casino gambling; less than $4 million spent against,'' Zanotti said, ''and they lose every time.''
Zanotti said he considered Gov. Ted Strickland's decision to expand the state lottery system by allowing keno machines in Ohio's bars and restaurants an example of government ignoring the wishes of voters.
''Of course, you could say, 'Why don't the people rise up and fight it?' '' he said. ''Well, our discovery has been that people are fighting so many things that the lottery is simply one that they have the ability to turn away and not look at, not participate in. They just leave it alone.''
Effect of job losses
But several nonprofit officials said big money usually does win — especially in economically strained Ohio.
''It's a bad time for workers in Ohio,'' said Amy Hanauer, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit think tank specializing in economic research. ''We're losing jobs; wages are not growing; people are feeling more insecure.''
That insecurity can be played on by special interests, she said, ''to encourage the viewpoint that the only way to win is to go with the lowest common denominator, the only way to get jobs is to have lower wages, the only way to keep jobs is to not provide sick pay, the only way to grow your economy is to lower your standards.''
Hanauer said hard economic times also make it more difficult to raise money for public programs — even those strongly favored by voters, such as support for higher education.
''There is a perception that we can't afford investments in government, that we can't afford to have a strong, progressive tax structure,'' she said. ''There is the perception the only way to win in America is by cutting taxes.''
Health-care fears
Fear and uncertainty are potent barriers to changes in the medical system, said Cathy Levine, executive director of Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio.
''Many people want to see health-care reform, but don't want to give up the security of the coverage they have right now,'' she said. ''People are afraid of giving up what they have now for some unknown system — especially if they think it's some government-run system that takes away their choice of provider.
''There are fears that keep people from supporting specific programs. Often those fears are unfounded.''
Levine agreed with Hanauer that Ohio's precarious economy makes it especially difficult to challenge the status quo.
''The state doesn't want to lose the industry's business in Ohio,'' she said, ''and they've been very successful in getting friends elected to the legislature.''
Levine said numerous public opinion polls report a large majority of Americans favor the idea of universal health care but are confused by the complexity of the issues.
''People want guaranteed health care for all, but when you start getting into details of proposals, support falls off,'' she said. ''The more details you get, the more support falls off.''
Complex conversations
Several nonprofit officials said the kind of in-depth debate needed to address complex issues is impossible in today's increasingly polarized political environment.
Talk radio and strident bloggers on the Internet came in for harsh criticism from John Begala, executive director of the Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit agency that identifies health, social and economic challenges in Northeast Ohio.
''I don't call it talk radio — it's demagogue radio,'' Begala said. ''The polarizing effect of glib one-liners has served to play on people's prejudices and has kept them distracted from real solutions and real lives.''
Begala, a former state representative from Ravenna, said that the reduction of political campaigns at all levels ''to sound bites that are specifically targeted to touch prejudices'' could explain why the opinions voiced in public surveys aren't translated into action.
''I think people are completely distracted from root causes,'' he said. ''That's one reason why you get a disparity where people will indicate in a survey that they have these concerns, but then go out and vote a different way.''
David Knox can be reached at 330-996-3532 or dknox@thebeaconjournal.com
Lincoln said the American government is ''of the people, by the people, for the people.''
So why are so many of the people unhappy with their government?
Eight out of 10 voting-age Americans are ''dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States,'' according to the latest Gallup Poll.
Earlier this year — even before gas prices broke $4 a gallon and Wall Street's financial crisis — Gallup found about the same share of Americans consider ''the failure of the government to solve the major challenges facing the country in the last few years'' to be a ''major problem'' or ''crisis.''
The dissatisfaction starts with the top.
Nearly two of three registered voters surveyed in a Fox News/Opinion Dynamics Poll this month ''disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as president.''
Even more are unhappy with the legislative branch.
A Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll reported last month that Congress' approval rating was down to 17 percent.
To explore why so many think their elected officials are not responsive to their needs, the Beacon Journal went to the people whose job is to get action from government — the heads of nonprofit advocacy groups.
The answer most often heard is that when money talks, elected officials listen.
''The biggest problem in politics today is the scandalous and corrupting influence of money within the system — it mutes the voice of average citizens,'' said Tom Allio, executive director of the Catholic Commission of Summit County and the social action director of the Diocese of Cleveland. ''Money translates into access.
''Money translates, more often than not, into special interests crafting legislation that becomes the law of the land.''
Allio said there are nearly 1,400 registered lobbyists for the Ohio General Assembly — more than 10 per legislator.
There are more than 17,000 lobbyists for Congress and federal agencies, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan, nonprofit Washington research group that tracks money in politics. Total lobbying spending was $2.8 billion last year — an average of more than $5 million per legislator.
Allio said competing with the ''power of big money'' is difficult, but not impossible. He cited the success this year of the Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending in getting bipartisan legislation cutting the annual interest rate on short-term loans from 391 percent to 28 percent — essentially closing down the ''payday lending'' industry.
Allio said the group's strategy was ''to seek the common ground among diverse groups in order to find consensus.''
''We had labor unions participate, we had housing advocates, we had consumer groups part of this coalition. It was a three-year effort that involved 246 groups. No single organization could have single-handedly accomplished what we were able to do.''
Most of the other nonprofit officials interviewed agreed that the lobbying clout of special interests was a barrier to good government.
Another point of view
There was an exception: David Zanotti, Cleveland-area businessman and president of the Ohio Roundtable, doesn't think there is too much money in politics.
''I don't buy that at all,'' he said. ''I'm not sure we shouldn't spend more money making sure people understand what's going on in civil government.''
Zanotti — whose group backed establishing term limits for state legislators, supports school vouchers and charter schools, and opposes casino gambling and mandatory sick pay for workers — blamed the public for allowing elected officials to become ''a mandarin class, a ruling elite,'' insulated from their constituents and dependent on special interests to finance their re-election.
''The general citizenry is happy to let their lives be filled up with everything but politics,'' he said. ''They spend far more time on the Internet looking at anything but political sites, far more time on television looking at anything but news.''
While opposing Allio on many issues, Zanotti agreed that grass-roots organizing — ''people networks'' — can beat big-money special interests.
Zanotti noted that Ohio voters repeatedly have rejected legalizing casino gambling by wide margins — despite a mismatch in campaign financing. (Another effort — a constitutional amendment — is on the November ballot.)
''Forty million dollars spent to advocate casino gambling; less than $4 million spent against,'' Zanotti said, ''and they lose every time.''
Zanotti said he considered Gov. Ted Strickland's decision to expand the state lottery system by allowing keno machines in Ohio's bars and restaurants an example of government ignoring the wishes of voters.
''Of course, you could say, 'Why don't the people rise up and fight it?' '' he said. ''Well, our discovery has been that people are fighting so many things that the lottery is simply one that they have the ability to turn away and not look at, not participate in. They just leave it alone.''
Effect of job losses
But several nonprofit officials said big money usually does win — especially in economically strained Ohio.
''It's a bad time for workers in Ohio,'' said Amy Hanauer, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit think tank specializing in economic research. ''We're losing jobs; wages are not growing; people are feeling more insecure.''
That insecurity can be played on by special interests, she said, ''to encourage the viewpoint that the only way to win is to go with the lowest common denominator, the only way to get jobs is to have lower wages, the only way to keep jobs is to not provide sick pay, the only way to grow your economy is to lower your standards.''
Hanauer said hard economic times also make it more difficult to raise money for public programs — even those strongly favored by voters, such as support for higher education.
''There is a perception that we can't afford investments in government, that we can't afford to have a strong, progressive tax structure,'' she said. ''There is the perception the only way to win in America is by cutting taxes.''
Health-care fears
Fear and uncertainty are potent barriers to changes in the medical system, said Cathy Levine, executive director of Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio.
''Many people want to see health-care reform, but don't want to give up the security of the coverage they have right now,'' she said. ''People are afraid of giving up what they have now for some unknown system — especially if they think it's some government-run system that takes away their choice of provider.
''There are fears that keep people from supporting specific programs. Often those fears are unfounded.''
Levine agreed with Hanauer that Ohio's precarious economy makes it especially difficult to challenge the status quo.
''The state doesn't want to lose the industry's business in Ohio,'' she said, ''and they've been very successful in getting friends elected to the legislature.''
Levine said numerous public opinion polls report a large majority of Americans favor the idea of universal health care but are confused by the complexity of the issues.
''People want guaranteed health care for all, but when you start getting into details of proposals, support falls off,'' she said. ''The more details you get, the more support falls off.''
Complex conversations
Several nonprofit officials said the kind of in-depth debate needed to address complex issues is impossible in today's increasingly polarized political environment.
Talk radio and strident bloggers on the Internet came in for harsh criticism from John Begala, executive director of the Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit agency that identifies health, social and economic challenges in Northeast Ohio.
''I don't call it talk radio — it's demagogue radio,'' Begala said. ''The polarizing effect of glib one-liners has served to play on people's prejudices and has kept them distracted from real solutions and real lives.''
Begala, a former state representative from Ravenna, said that the reduction of political campaigns at all levels ''to sound bites that are specifically targeted to touch prejudices'' could explain why the opinions voiced in public surveys aren't translated into action.
''I think people are completely distracted from root causes,'' he said. ''That's one reason why you get a disparity where people will indicate in a survey that they have these concerns, but then go out and vote a different way.''
David Knox can be reached at 330-996-3532 or dknox@thebeaconjournal.com
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:35 AM, 09/28/2008
ELected officials no longer listen to the folks that elect them. They smile at you once every 2/4 years and lie about what they are doing for you. What they don't realize though is there is hate smoldering under the surface. It won't be long until you here the cries "off with their heads". And I can't wait.
Posted 10:16 AM, 09/28/2008
Our capitalistic concept is finally failing the U.S. The majority of our legislators were put there by us because they did well in the private sector financially. Now, we have nothing but wealthy congressmen and the president residing over us and our laws. We are about to hand them the keys to the vault. I say...let's not rescue these companies. Let things fall apart. It is supposed to happen. The only people who will lose their rears are the upper echelon of society. Look at how the pres and congress keep saying that swift action is needed. They are the ones who will lose their money and they know it. Who's with me?
Tepplin, DC
Posted 10:41 AM, 09/28/2008
I certainly agree, william. The Powers That Be don't want you to have universal health care, free college tuition and a comfortable retirement, but they certainly have made sure that they get all these things and more. If you or someone in your family falls ill, and the medical bills start piling up, or you lose your job and can't pay your bills, Congress and the President say "TOO BAD!" And yet when big banks and corporations cook their books and run into bankruptcy, our elected officials scramble to bail them out! It's nothing more than welfare for the rich. They don't want you, the working man to have it, but they sure hurry up and give it to their rich buddies and friends on Wall Street. Time to throw them ALL out!
akron, oh
Posted 11:41 AM, 09/28/2008
I think they should wait till after the election. Maybe someone that was a C student in college shouldn't be making the most important decisions that our country has faced in 50 years. Also Bush bankrupted Many of the companies he was in charge of.... Which doesnt lead to much credibility in my book.
Posted 11:43 AM, 09/28/2008
Yes it is supposed to be "We The People" yes you are right, it is the rich that want bailed out. I also say NO, let them fall. And that is also correct, if we fall ill, lose our jobs, medical bills keep piling up... NOBODY CARES!!! NOBODY is going to care if you lose your home that you have worked so hard to maintain. If there is any financial help out there, the ill person certainly will not get help because most of the times, it is based on your PAST income. What a joke! Nobody cares if we live under a bridge. It used to be years ago when people helped one another & it wasn't a me me me gimmee gimmee gimmeee..most owners of companies were generous & fair & people & in return the people were the same way... treated eachother with dignity, respect, shared. Alot of those companies are far gone.
Bizarrebertucky, OH
Posted 11:47 AM, 09/28/2008
17,000 Congressional Lobbyists paid $2.8 Billion Dollars out last year, to influence our government to do things that are not in the taxpayer's best interests. And this is just what we know about, that was done legally above the table. We all know there is much more of this being done illegally,under the table,that we will never know about. Our lawmakers are being legally bought and sold every day,like it's nobody's business. This is nothing short of treason against the American people,in my honest opinion. Our government has turned into nothing more than a greed-driven,money making machine for those chosen few who are able to influence legislation in their favor,at the ultimate expense of the average American taxpayer. Our Democratic way of life has become nothing more than a sham,and the rest of the world can plainly see this. It is time for us as Americans,to pull our heads out of the sand and see this too,before it's too late. It's no wonder that the rest of the world hates us for trying to force these corrupt tactics and policies on them at every opportunity.
Posted 02:44 PM, 09/28/2008
Have the liberals figured out the truth that the three biggest grabbers of Fannie Mae money was 1. Senator Dodd 2. Barack Obama 3. John Kerry And as early as 1992 the Clinton Administration was telling housing loan officials they were not allowed to ask personal questions like are you working or how do you expect to pay the loans back because Fannie Mae would cover their arse. McCain, with all his centrist problems still tried to enact enforcement twice in congress but was not allowed to bring it to a vote by the Pelosi Capitol Hill liars. I know it is hard to hear if you love the Democrat from Chicago, but you can't evade the truth. Who broke your nations economy. Remember the Democrats have been in charge of Congress for the last several years. It was not the White House economy. (I won't use the stupid word)
Posted 03:31 PM, 09/28/2008
The Republicans give tax breaks to millionaires who don't need them and who not even in a fit of delirium would let their wealth trickle down. The Democrats give the financial elite corporate welfare. The two parties work synergistically to screw over the masses for the sake of the wealthy. The DNC and GOP are merely two brands of a single parent entity, Wall St. IF the DNC ever gives you universal health care, it will be so the GOP "neo-cons" can sell your patient records to pharmaceutical and medical supply companies and possibly force you to be a human guinea pig in order to get any treatment at all The Demoblicans want to feign to an authentic debate to humor the plebeians and sell buttons and TV air time. If the DNC was actually interested in poor dumb slobs in blue collar jobs, they wouldn't have drafted NAFTA, if the GOP really wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade, they had all 3 branches of government during this president's watch and they could've done it. There's no difference between the parties, only their lip service. Nancy Pelosi could've gotten an impeachment hearing for Bush, but she's financed by the same Telcoms and Wall St. power brokers as Bush is. It doesn't matter if you vote for captain hopey pants or ho chi mihn's punching bag, the public is going to lose no matter what because they both answer to the same financiers. If you aren't voting 3rd. party, you're truly wasting your vote.
Posted 03:42 PM, 09/28/2008
Yep, here we go again. Trying to blame liberals for all this stuff is like trying to say Nixon didn't comit a crime causing the WaterGate Scandal. People, you better start waking up to reality! Conservatives, right wing bigots and Republicians all cause these problems with their constant wining about extremely minor hot button social issues, yet at the same time, draining your wallets. When is America going to wake up?
Bizarrebertucky, OH
Posted 03:50 PM, 09/28/2008
Micheala ~ I don't think anybody in their right mind doubts what you say about the Democrats. The problem is,the Republicans are exactly the same,only worse. They are all just as greedy,guilty and corrupt as the next. At least the Democrats aren't quite so bold about funneling all of our collective tax dollars to their cronies who are already so filthy rich that they don't know what to do with it all. Then they insult our intelligence by saying that it will all somehow magically trickle down to those who really need it eventually. Ya,right! I think that for this reason alone,anyone who isn't already part of the problem would have to conclude that the Democrats are the lesser of two very distinct and pathetic evils. We really should be looking into a no confidence vote,rather than a presidential election this time around...
Posted 04:27 PM, 09/28/2008
Change the entire political process to a parlmentarian form of government. Seems to me a republic form of government tends to breed greed in its very nature. Ban all PACS, totally. Ban any and all potential or real influences by religon and its money in government and especially remove the phrase "in god we trust" on all our money.
Posted 04:29 PM, 09/28/2008
Good points Warren and very well said. Micheala, please google Freddie and Fannie and who's pockets got stuffed in congress. The dems recieved only a few more dollars then republicans in congress. Read about it! If you want to debate about issues, make sure you have some clue about what you are talking about.
akron, oh
Posted 04:40 PM, 09/28/2008
Why don't you all stop whining and make a prosperous life for yourselves. Quit expecting the government to do it for you. This article should be titled "Why have Americans become entitlement obsessed?" You want free health care and free tuition; just who do you think is going to pay for it?
Posted 04:53 PM, 09/28/2008
Micheala, I forgot to blast you about the fact that the dems have only had control for the past 20 months. I think that this mess took alot longer to build. Did you just get a computer and think you are bringing some real scoop to us. We have been listening to the republican talking points for a couple of decades now. The house of cards has fallen. Trickle down doesn't work. You sound like a nice kid and I apologize for the insults but if you want to carry the water for the inept repubican party you have to pay the price. and yes I am voting for Obama because if we don't move in a new direction the country is going to suffer. We need bold and aggressive right freeking now.
Bizarrebertucky, OH
Posted 05:07 PM, 09/28/2008
Tim ~ If anyone's obcessed with entitlements,it's the fat,wealthy Republicans. They somehow seem think that they are automatically entitled to own every dime that was ever minted. Just who do you think has forfeited their tax dollars for all these years to allow them to become so rich in the first place? I don't think anyone wants the government to hand us everything for free,as is the case with big business,we just want an honest,level playing field for a change.
Posted 05:59 PM, 09/28/2008
Why would any American vote for these results? Perpetual War, Mismanaging of Federal Treasury Funds, and Fear Mongering. Increased Governmental $pending while cutting Taxes to the Wealthy. $9 ($11?)Trillion Dollar National Debt. Privatizing Profits while Socializing the Bailouts of failed Corporations. Unfair Taxation of the Middle Class. High prices for GASOLINE, Electricity, and Everything Else! High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs. Bank Failures and Record Home Forclusures. Invasion of Privacy, and disregard for our Constitution. Repeal of Habeas Corpus and personal privacy. Politicalization of the Justice Department. Degradation of our Infrastructure. Decline in US stature and respect of the World Community. ???
Bizarrebertucky, OH
Posted 06:04 PM, 09/28/2008
Kirk ~ Anyone that would vote for those results is either (A) Part of the problem, or (B) Part of the problem.
Posted 07:26 PM, 09/28/2008
"Change", change for what? the betterment of who? ever think about that?
Posted 07:31 PM, 09/28/2008
You are absolutly right WARREN. Nancy Peloski says in effect that "The days golden parachute is over" for the CEO's of the big Corporations, but I didn't hear her say anything about our dearly elected corrupt individuals taking money from these stinking lobbiests. The taxpaying citizens of this country should insist on passing a LAW that if one elected official should be found guilty of taking one red cent from a Lobbiest, it would be considered a FELONY with a penalty of no less htan a ten year sentence. Also I think it would be wonderful if we could insist that the amount of money taken should be tied to the amount of money that the average taxpayer makes. In other words, If an elected official takes one million dollars, then we can figure that an average taxpayer would take 20 years or more to make one million dollars tax free, so the guilty party gets 20 years in the pen to pay for it. THEY ALL STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN.
Posted 08:46 PM, 09/28/2008
Diane, I guess you would like everything to stay exactly as it now stands. Have you no concern about the future based on where we are today? I couldn't possibly understand what you are trying to say in your post. If we don't change, your kids will be slaves to poverty and high taxes. Don't you get it?
Posted 08:48 PM, 09/28/2008
Warren, you forgot (C) All of the above.
Posted 08:54 PM, 09/28/2008
Wow, alot of you people posting on here are either blindly supporting your party or are just plain ignorant. BOTH parties are responsible for the mess that is happening today. Our elected officials sold out America and what it stood for, a LONG time ago. While Americans bicker back and forth over trivial things our elected officials are about to throw away more hundreds of billions of dollars and when we become a third world country you guys will still be blaming eachother's political party or religious beliefs or lack of one, while standing in a soup line waiting for your potatoes and bread.
Posted 11:49 PM, 09/28/2008
If you want to find the root cause of our economic ills watch this....and pass it on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5tZc8oH--o
Posted 11:50 PM, 09/28/2008
It is really just one party that caused all this mess. DO NOT WATCH THIS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5tZc8oH--o
Posted 11:24 AM, 09/29/2008
I agree with Tom Allio on this one. There is way too much money in politics. The payday lending lobby in Ohio is buying their way onto the ballot in November. The referendum process is meant to be utilized by citizens when the legislature goes too far. In this instance, the payday lobby is unwilling to conform to a new law that protects Ohio consumers and caps interest rates at 28% APR. Their citizen free "astro-turf" group (Ohioans for Financial Freedom) is spending millions to collect signatures by misleading voters and to put up deceptive advertisements. We can't keep letting special interests come into our state and buy elections. Vote yes on issue 5! It's good for Ohio and Ohio's economy.
Posted 12:19 PM, 09/29/2008
John- The Payday Industry isn't buying their way into anything... they are advertising, just like any other company does. Pleasae tell me exactly how eliminating financial options is to use your words... "good for Ohio and Ohio's economy?" A payday loan is for 2 weeks, not 52 weeks, which is how APR is calcluated. If you went into a store today, and borrowed $100, in 2 weeks, you'd owe $115. Hmmm, I believe that amounts to only 15%. And since 90% of the customers pay on time and as agreed what exactly is the problem. Comparing a 2 week loan to an APR on a loan for greater than 52 weeks is ridiculous. Consenting adults have the right to spend their money as they decide. If I want to blow my entire check on cigarettes, alcohol or gambling... no one would be checking up on me or not allowing me to do that. But for some reason, the Ohio General Assembly doesn't want me to be able to get a $100 loan for gas, rent, food, etc to hold me until next payday. HOW IRONIC!!! The Ohio General Assembly wants us to play keno, gamble in Wilmington, and gladly take our hard earned money..... But oooops, sorry they think none of us are responsible enough to decide other financial decisions for ourselves. So they're going to limit our choices when they see fit. I work hard for my money and I don't want to be told, I can't get a loan for a few hundered $$ if I think it's necessary. BTW--- who has agreed to step up to fill in for payday lenders if this passes thru in Nov? Anyone, Bueller?? NOT ONE SINGLE BANK OR CREDIT UNION!!! B/c 28% for 2 weeks is $1.08 profit!! (and that's before you pay any overhead charges!!) No one can stay in business or make money on that! ******VOTE NO on ISSUE 5*****
akron, oh
Posted 12:58 PM, 09/29/2008
This whole stinking economic mess goes back to irresponsible people NOT paying their mortgages. And the program to provide more loans to poor people started with Carter and was severely expanded by Clinton. It is typical of the Democrats and the fake populists like obama to want to blame the problem on others. The bottom line is: hillbillies were given loans, were to stupid to understand the terms, and could not pay them back. Period. And so what if Payday loans charge a lot. So do Macy's, etc. That is why any one with a brain doesn't use a Macy's crfedit card OR pay it in full before the the end of the month.
Posted 01:25 PM, 09/30/2008
Don't be fooled - the pay day industry is not interested in giving people "choices," they're only interested in their own profits. No one would choose to pay 400% interest. The legislature got this one right - vote yes on Issue 5!
