The Feds might cut interest rates but that is not going to help housing. It will help other businesses that can't get a loan from the private banks since there is no money due to the housing bust.

The housing market will not rebound in the spriing since the prices are still high and people can't afford to pay for it.

Once again you cant blame credit card companies for advertising their product. Blame the folks who are using these cards to get themselves into trouble. There is such a thing as accountability for your own actions, right? If the credit card companies or mortgage companies are approving card holder or home owner with false promises or by leaving documents out during signing them hang them. But if it is on the up and up the onus is on the consumer to pay attention.

That's not reality, Ugly. Credit card cos. aren't just advertising, they're opening holes in the ground, waiting for someone to step in.

You know what a loan shark is, does, don't you? And you have no problem with this? Their practices have long been considered a sin in the western world.

I've already mentioned some practices, but I guess the best one that illustrates what's really going on is the live check. They send you a check unsolicited. If you cash it (which is easy as signing and depositing in an ATM), then you have a loan--on their terms, 29% interest or whatever.

Let's say Credit Card Co. X sends out 5,000 of these checks each month. Only a really desparate person would cash the check because those are terrible terms. But the cos. know that a certain percentage of really desparate persons will cash the checks. That's who they're aiming for. They got them by the balls. It's like offering a man dying of thirst a glass of water. His choices are very limited. Oh, wait, sir, it'll cost you $20.

I think that Ugly is spot on. Lenders have the freedom to create a number of products, not all of which may be optimum for every individual. But, just because one product isn't the best for me doesn't mean that it should be outlawed -- it may be a good option for somebody.

The live check is no indication of misdeeds -- it is merely another product. Before acting, the individual should consider the consequences of the actions.

As for the thirsty man and the water -- he has other options. He can certialny opt not to drink the water and die. It is surely not a comfortable or convenient thought, but it is still an option. I suppose to say that his choices are limited is true -- he can live or die. Life is full of either/or chioces like that. The complexity lies in how one of the options is reached. Anyhow, to say that he has no choice is playing the emotion card. It is not nice or fun to think about that choice, but we can not deny that it is still a choice.

Clone I only have a problem with a loan shark if he/she is making someone take money from them at outrageous interest and making them pay it back or else. If the person who needs money makes the decision goes to the loan shark and agrees to the terms set before them to take his money then I have no problem with it.

Its called being a man and taking responsibility for the choices you make. As I have said before if someone is of sound mind and maturity then they are responsible for what they do.

Ask yourself this if a person get busted for soliciting prostitution because a hooker offered him a good deal on her goods, does a judge hold the person accountable for his actions. Or does he say since her advertising was so great you have no culpability in this matter. Its the same with drug dealers/users or whatever you want.

Ask yourself this if a person get busted for soliciting prostitution because a hooker offered him a good deal on her goods, does a judge hold the person accountable for his actions. Or does he say since her advertising was so great you have no culpability in this matter. Its the same with drug dealers/users or whatever you want.

Ugly, you do realize that prostitution is illegal and the prostitute goes to jail if busted right? I think that is matclone's point.

Ok lets say its an undercover cop dressed as a hooker.

Originally Posted by UGLY

Ok lets say its an undercover cop dressed as a hooker.

That doesn't work because there is no real chance a customer can receive any "pleasant" service from a cop.