Could it get worse?
November 5, 2008 | Oregon, industry, regulation, states | Comments (0)Jeff Merkley, the anti-payday lending Senate candidate in Oregon, is in a virtual tie with incumbent Gordon Smith.
Don’t forget Oregon
November 4, 2008 | Oregon | Comments (0)The most anti-payday lending candidate in the country, Jeff Merkely, is neck and neck with incumbent Senator Gordon Smith. From today’ story:
Smith told volunteers he needs them to get the message out to GOP voters that it’s important to keep him in the Senate to help preserve a balanced government in the event that Democrat Barack Obama wins the presidency and Democrats increase their numbers in the Senate….
Merkley, on the other hand, said people are excited about his candidacy because they know he would be part of a new crop of Democrats who could help Obama implement his programs and change the direction of the country.
Progress
November 3, 2008 | Oregon, alternatives, industry, states | Comments (0)People are now saying “payday loans” in the same sentence as bank products, not in a flattering sense, but it’s still progress:
It doesn’t take a semester course to discuss exorbitant credit-card fees, overdraft charges, compound interest and loan terms, including payday loans.
Let’s see, who do we support?
October 31, 2008 | Jeff Merkley, Oregon, local issues, media coverage, states | Comments (0)One U.S. Senate candidate in Oregon wants to put payday lenders out of business and the other is a believer in free markets. This is a tough one.
Merkley up to his old tricks
October 20, 2008 | Oregon, states | Comments (1)Jeff Merkley, the anti-payday lending zeolot in Oregon who’s now running for Senate, keeps riding the “predatory lending” horse.
Let’s hope he loses.
Pawnshops booming
September 28, 2008 | Oregon, alternatives, industry, media coverage, states | Comments (0)In Oregon. I guess when you eliminate payday lending, someone will pick up the slack.
The lie of 36%
September 12, 2008 | Jeff Merkley, Oregon, industry, regulation, states | Comments (1)When anti-payday lending forces push for a 36% rate cap, they say that lenders can operate under it. Once it passes and lenders close stores, they then take credit for that. In other words, they lie. See this crazy video promoting the Senate candidacy of Jeff Merkley.
Merkley won’t shut up
August 13, 2008 | Oregon, industry, regulation, states | Comments (0)The guy who was so proud of putting payday lenders out of business in Oregon is now running for Senate. As he’s still talking about payday lending. Here’s a small dose of insanity from the article:
“I believe the heart of America is to build a society where every child has the chance to live to their fullest potential and create a pathway for families to thrive,” Merkley said. “That’s why I’m so adamant about payday lenders,…”
What?
Sarcasm at its best
July 18, 2008 | Oregon, industry, regulation | Comments (0)With gloomy economic news all around, people are fretting a little more than usual about cash flow these days. So thank god Oregon has already taken steps to keep people from safely, legally getting their hands on a little extra cash in an emergency.
The rest of Katherine Mangu-Ward’s blog post at Reason online is just as brilliant.
It’s “astonishing” this payday lending critic can’t do math
July 8, 2008 | Oregon | Comments (0)This payday lending critic doesn’t understand why stores closed in Oregon. He’s “astonished” apparently that lenders couldn’t make a profit under the 36% rate cap. You’ll notice in his online column that there’s not even an attempt to do the math. The Payday Pundit will do it for him. A two-week loan for $100 at 36% comes out to $1.38 service charge.
