The Political Bridge

Follow the Money: The Contributions of Payday Lenders to U.S. Senate Campaigns in Kentucky

 

Feel free to check the accuracy of my findings vis-à-vis this link: http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/mapHSCandDetail.do

Daniel Mongiardo (D) has not received any money from PACs or individuals representing or associated with a payday lending firm.    

 

Trey Grayson(R) has not received any money from PACs or individuals representing or associated with a payday lending firm.    

 

Rand Paul (R) has not received any money from PACs or individuals representing or associated with a payday lending firm.    

 

 

Jack Conway (D) has received, at least, $14,000 from PACs and individuals representing or associated with a payday lending firm.   See items below:

COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

09/30/2009

3000.00

PAC of the Community Financial Services Association of America, a top payday-lending trade group…from CQ politics http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=408AEF07-18FE-70B2-A81211675E4D9996

 

CASH AMERICA INTERNATIONAL INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE		12/15/2009		2000.00

 

 

CHECKSMART FINANCIAL LLC PAC

12/29/2009

2000.00

presented by the Federal Election Commission

Committee ID: C00433805
Location: Dublin, OH 43016
Industry: Finance/Credit Companies; Payday lenders
Treasurer: Roman, Bridgette Caryn 
FEC Committee ID: C00433805
(Look up actual documents filed at the FEC)

 

 

AHLBERG, TREVOR L	09/30/2009	2400.00	COTTONWOOD FINANCIAL/CEO
AHLBERG, TREVOR L	09/30/2009	600.00	COTTONWOOD FINANCIAL/CEO

Products from Cottonwood Financial’s website: http://company.monster.com/w66895489w/

The Cash Store:

Cash Advances
Cash Advances are typically small, unsecured, short-term (until payday) cash loans of up to $2,000. These loans are usually payable in a single payment. Requirements for Cash Advances include a regular source of income, an active checking account, and valid driver's license or state ID. To learn more about Cash Advances, please visit the Community Financial Services Association of America website at http://www.cfsa.net/about_payday_advance.html.

-----------------------------------

 

WEBSTER, LINDSAY	09/30/2009	2000.00	N/A/HOMEMAKER
WEBSTER, WILLIAM M IV	09/30/2009	2000.00	ADVANCE AMERICA CASH ADVANCE CENTER

Advance America, Cash Advance Centers, Inc. is the largest provider of payday cash advance services in the United States, as measured by the number of payday cash advance centers operated. Source: http://investors.advanceamerica.net/

The Kentucky U.S. Senate Candidates, Their Commercials and Media Images by DrTed

This election cycle has been a little different for me.  A few physical ailments (isn’t aging wonderful) has limited my activity. 

Because of these ailments, I have been watching more political ads on TV than I have had in years.  Strangely, I must admit that I have had much fun watching them.

For each candidate, I have tried to discern his/her media image vis-à-vis the commercials.  As they say, image is everything in politics.

Jack Conway (D), with his central casting looks and carefree manner,  reminds me of either Surfer Joe in those 60s surfing movies or Jack Tanner in the old HBO series—Tanner’88.   Jack Tanner, at times, has seemed   more real to me than the Jack Conway does in his commercials. 

Daniel Mongiardo (D), with his intensely sincere and friendly look, appears to be a cross between judge on “Law and Order” and an overly serious pitchman for a public service announcement.  I can hear him say—“Do the right thing, give to….”

Trey Grayson(R), with his gray face, looks like a medical examiner on Forensic Files or Herman Munster.  I go for Herrmann Munster without the smile or the bolts in his head.

Rand Paul(R), the curly locks dude, comes across as either a country doctor in those old western movies or a gambler that continuously loses to Bret Maverick.

I don’t mean to infer that my images represent these candidates’ personalities.

I am just having fun with their commercials. Boy, I have been watching way too much television in the last few months…

Transcript of David Tandy's(D-Candidate for Mayor of Louisville)Radio Ad-Courtesy of WHAS-TV

For more info on this and other ads for Mr. Tandy click Joe Arnold of WHAS-TV

When I think about what Louisville needs from its next mayor, I think about a mayor who builds bridges between neighborhoods, who challenges our communities to step up and work together.  When I think about who would be that mayor, I think of David Tandy.  Don't vote for David because he would be the first African-American mayor in our city's history.  Vote for David because he's qualified and he "gets it."  I'm Carolyn Tandy and I ask that you vote for my husband because Louisville needs to move forward. 

I'm David Tandy.  We all need to be in this together, business and labor, blacks and whites, citizens and police.  As mayor, I'll be a role model.  I'll meet with our students and encourage them to graduate, work and raise their families, right here in Louisville.  But first, we have to have jobs.  I have a vision for the future and I'll be fearless in achieving it. 

I'm David Tandy.  And on May the 18th, I ask for your vote to ensure that all of Louisville is treated equally.  Paid for by Tandy for mayor.

 

The Kentucky Poll: Election 2010 is about the Economy, Duh

This poll is co-sponsored by WAVE-TV in Louisville, WYMT-TV in Lexington, and theLexington Herald-Leader.

	ALL	MEN	WOMEN
Economy	41%	38%	44%
Government Spending	21%	25%	17%
Health Care	14%	8%	20%
National Security	8%	2%	4%
Immigration	5%	6%	4%

Payday Lenders Out To Gut Obama's Financial Reform Package

From Financial News USA of May 9, 2010:  The CFPA Bill, known as financial reform act, is very likely to pass. (Financial) Lenders of all varieties will have business models scrutinized once the CFPA gets up and running. You can bet that under the Obama Administration, subprime lenders from auto financiers to pawn shops to payday lenders will be shot on sight. This will be particularly true if Elizabeth Warren, an outspoken critic of predatory lenders, is named to run the agency. Particularly vulnerable are Advance America (see info on Conway in the next post), QC Holdings Dollar Financial, Cash America, EZ Corp, and First Cash Financial Services. http://www.financialnewsusa.com/finance/archives/14914-payday-lenders-in-danger-from-financial-reform-bill-

From Consumer Reports of April 27, 2010: Payday lenders, which charge exorbitant fees for short-term loans—often to inner-city residents—are also concerned about limits on their activities. Until now, they've managed to avoid regulation by defining themselves as non-banking entities. The Times story mentions concerns by the industry that a financial reform bill could change that status. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/money/2010/04/financial-reform-bill-senate-congress-block-exempt-auto-dealers-candy-makers-sugar-derivatives-.html

From the Washington Post of  Monday, May 10, 2010: Payday lenders and check cashers blanketed Capitol Hill last week to challenge the scope of the financial reforms under debate in Congress and combat the industry's reputation as the pariahs of the financial system.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/09/AR2010050902458.html

The American Library Association's 2010 State of Libraries Report: Cuts, Cuts, and Still More Cuts in Library Funds and Services

 To read this report Download ALA_Report_2010-ATI001-NEW1a

A  majority of states reported cuts in state funding to public libraries and to the state library agencies that support libraries and statewide library programs. But even after making deep cuts, states continue to face large budget gaps, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. New shortfalls opened up in the budgets of at least 41 states for fiscal 2010, which in most states began July 1, 2009. And when the ALA surveyed members of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies in November 2009, the public-library funding landscape continued to look bleak. Of states reporting decreases in local funding to public libraries, the majority were in the 5-10 percent range. Seventeen respondents reported they believed a majority of libraries in their states had sustained cuts in local funding in fiscal 2010, compared with fiscal 2009, while only two reported that a majority of libraries in their state had received funding increases.

State libraries also reported that state funding, usually in the form of state aid packages, had declined. Twenty four respondents reported cuts in state funding for public libraries from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010. Seven states and the District of Columbia do not provide state funding. Furthermore, cuts at the state level frequently were compounded by cuts at the local level and cuts in the state library agency budget, and there was a significant increase in the number of libraries reporting that they are open fewer hours each week

Harris Report: Most Americans Use and Love Their Public Libraries(info courtesy of The Rural Blog)

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 The ALA participated in the January 2010 Harris Poll Quorum conducted by Harris Interactive. The survey was conducted by telephone within the United States between January 20 and 24, 2010 among a nationwide cross section of 1,025 adults (aged 18 and over). Eighteen questions were asked by Harris for the ALA. 

KEY FINDINGS

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of employed adults had used their library in the past year, 62% of unemployed adults, and 53% of retired adults.

• Eighty percent (80%) of those ages 18‐24, 73% ages 35‐44 and 70% ages 25‐34 have used their library in the past year

96% of Americans (223.7 million) agreed that because it provides free access to materials and resources, the public library plays an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed.

• 94% of Americans (219.0 million) agreed that the library improves the quality of life in their community.

To view the entire poll Download 2010_Harris_Poll_Summary_

 

From Larry Clark, Speaker Pro Tem of the Kentucky House of Reps: MEMORIAL DAY 2010 PARADE OF FLAGS AND PLACEMENT OF 25,000 GRAVE FLAGS TO SPELL “USA” IN A 150 BY 450 FOOT GRID

ATTENTION LOUISVILLE AREA VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL
PLEASE JOIN US
MEMORIAL DAY 2010 PARADE OF FLAGS AND PLACEMENT OF 25,000 GRAVE FLAGS TO SPELL “USA” IN A 150 BY 450 FOOT GRID
Sat, May 29, 2010, 11 AM—2 PM
This annual event takes place on the Louisville Waterfront
Great Lawn, where Floyd Street meets the Ohio River.
Please contact [email protected] (502) 931-0374 if you can come, and/or help us reach other Military Units who could attend and possible bring some Military Assets.

 
Please join Scouts, Brownies & Cubs, American Heritage Girls, (J)ROTC, and Church and Youth Groups, as we Honor our Fallen Heroes, Veterans, and those serving in the Armed Forces today.
 
We are inviting all Louisville Area Military Personnel and Veterans to mingle with hundreds of kids and their families who are coming to Louisville from several surrounding States to Honor our Fallen Heroes as well as our heroes serving today, on Saturday, May 29, at the Great Lawn on the Louisville Waterfront.
 
Please try to be there from 11 AM to 1 PM of longer if you can, but at least stop by.
 
We need some of you to sign up to teach kids how to fold the flag, and help make greeting cards to send to our active troops deployed far from home, and to help place 25,000 flags from Veterans’ graves in or USA Flag Field, which is 25,000 grave flags arranged to spell our USA in a grid 150 feet high by 450 feet long.
 
...Fred

Frederick A. Moore, MBA, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Flags4Vets
National Flags for Veterans' Graves Program
www.Flags4Vets.com
(502) 931-0374

Watch Tyler Allen's(D)Political Ad: "Moving Louisville Forward"

I Can't Sing and I Can't Dance But I Can Vote

I can't sing and I can't dance but I can vote.  (I can sing, actually -- but I shouldn't -- at least, not in public.)

People who know me well know I am big on voting.  I'm not sure why voting has always been important to me.  Maybe it's because it is something I can do.

Helen Keller once said:   I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.

So I've been voting since high school -- many, many years ago. (Did you know teenagers did not always have the right to vote?)  Life was not very accessible then. I registered to vote at the same time as my classmates. I just didn't arrive with them.  All my classmates went downtown in big, yellow buses. School buses were not accessible then so my mom drove me downtown.

Maybe voting is important to me because it shows I'm equal to nondisabled people.  My vote carries as much weight as anyone.  My opinion matters.

And even though it is sometimes harder than it should be, I like the idea of going to the polls.  I like the idea of people seeing me out there voting. 

So vote -- because you can.

NOTE :   Many of us can vote absentee from home; that makes voting very accessible.  For information, to find out if you're eligible and for a form -- ASAP
go to:  www.elections.jeffersoncountyclerk.org/absentee_voting.htm
The deadline is May 11th.


Bye for now,

Cass Irvin
Louisville KY
Author, Home Bound,   Temple University Press   ISBN 1-59213-220-0  
www.temple.edu/tempress/titles/1425_reg.html
Instructor, Disability History & Culture, Jefferson County Public Schools