I wish we were getting another stimulus check like last year. I’ve racked up a little consumer credit card debt, and I’d like to apply some of those funds to the balance. That’s not going to happen though, and so I must resign myself to the fact that I’ll be in the same position as many others, struggling to pay the monthly expenses and hoping the credit card company doesn’t increase my interest rate.

There’s this story from ABC News that discusses some of the issues we’re facing, and the outrage over the financial bailouts. I’m especially grateful this article discusses the effect increased interest rates are having on the economy and people’s budgets.

I get that you’ve made a commitment to pay your bills on time and all that jazz. If we didn’t enforce those provisions, then we’d be in anarchy and the rule of law doesn’t apply. What I don’t get is why so many companys are so unwilling to offer assistance to borrowers. Moreover, why does our Congress permit this type of behavior.

Here’s what my "open letter to Congress" (state and federal) looks like:

Dear Congressman/woman:

I’m sick of having all of my funds piled to help failing and dishonest companies like AIG, FannieMae, Washington Mutual, FreddieMac, and Bank of America, when I’m refused assistance in my own matters. I’m tired of hearing that you and your colleagues are more forgiving to these businesses than you are to your own constituents.

Each session you fail to implement stricter consumer protection statutes that will protect my neighbors and family from deceptive practices. I get that it’s not my money that’s paying for your junkets to Aspen or your membership at the country club. However, it’s my money and my future you’re spending to support bad behavior.

It’s quite discouraging for me to know that my finances are being used to support bad decisions, yet when my "bad decision" results in a payment being missed by one day, I’m punished with a two or three times interest rate increase.

So, despite my best efforts, I continue to struggle, while others get a perceived reward. I can’t complain though because if you’ll approve the President’s budget, I’ll have $635 billion dollars you’ll put toward universal healthcare. Can you tell me which bank that’s going to be deposited in?

Sincerely,

Me

While I have no ambitions that things will change, we can at least hope for some of the bonuses talked about in the ABC article. However, as is often the case, these things rarely have the "bite" to make any difference, they only make us feel better.