Friday Coffee Talk

by: BZP

Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 07:21:10 AM EDT

Happy Friday! Enjoy your cup-o-links...

• BFM: Pete Hoekstra Is A Scaremonger. "If Pete Hoekstra wants to talk about terror, he should talk about the terror uninsured people feel in their hearts when they're faced with sudden illness, burdensome medical debt or premature death."
• Dan Scripps: Intro @ WSCC Debate. Great speech by Dan at a debate for the 101st House district race.
• Media Mouse: Ehlers, Levin, and Stabenow Evaluated on Support for the Middle Class. Carl got an "A," Debbie got an "A+" and Rep. Ehlers got an "F."

• LSJ Editorial: Prison costs: State's only choice is to spend less on imprisonment. "Michigan imprisons more people and spends more money doing it than its neighbors. That gives those states an edge, either via greater investments in other public services or the ability to hold down taxes."
• Michigan Messenger: Film production incentive package is fast-tracked through the Legislature. "We have the opportunity to do something that will have an important effect on our economy," said Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, one of the sponsors of the bipartisan, bicameral package of bills. "We can expect to see increased film production in the state this year."
• Ann Arbor Business Review: Lenders: State licensing a good step for stability. "Barbara Banco of BANCO Mortgage Centre in Birmingham has been in the lending business for some 25 years, and believes the bills are long overdue, and that loan officer accountability is a long time coming."
• AP: Michigan governor signs bill to create optional driver's licenses. "The legislation is aimed at meeting tougher identification rules required by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative."
• Freep Editorial: Region needs to move together on new plan for light rail. "In any case, for light rail on Woodward to succeed, the entire region must get behind the plan. Metro Detroit can't afford to let more infighting destroy another opportunity to start building a woefully needed regional mass transit system."

• WMR: Wind and Cow Chips -- The Key to West Michigan's Future?. "West Michigan can move from being an office furniture, pharmaceutical, and auto part manufacturing economy (while keeping as many of those jobs as possible) to being a life-sciences and alternative energy manufacturing economy if we're smart."
• Bay City Times: State's first commercial windmill farm starts churning out power in Huron County. An accompanying BCT editorial urges Legislators to get on the stick and pass an RPS.
• Michigan Future: Speak Up for the Creative Economy. Neeta Delaney of ArtServe Michigan puts in a plug for the March 19 Arts & Culture Advocacy Day at the Capitol.
• Dave Dempsey: Who owns the Great Lakes? "In Michigan the debate is particularly keen, and pending legislation could either divest significant portions of lakes and streams from public control to private, or put Michigan in the region's lead in reaffirming Great Lakes water belongs to us all."
• Freep: Illegal tobacco sales cost Michigan millions. "Big-time profiteers and small-time cheaters are smuggling 7 million cartons of cigarettes into the state annually to evade Michigan's high cigarette taxes, costing the state about $140 million a year."

• K-Zoo Gazette: Report says Great Lakes pollution harming our health. "The report suggests pollution in some areas is causing health problems, including cancer and premature births. The document was produced by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
• The Hub: Michigan filmmakers get the spotlight Sunday. Several nice profiles of Michigan filmmakers who will be featured at this week's East Lansing Film Festival (including one of my former professors).

Oakland County Dems honor State Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi

by: bfealk

Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 07:24:55 AM EDT

Thanks to everyone on the committee for putting together another rousing success for Oakland County Democrats. There was so much excitement in the room. Democrats can't wait to get to work to make sure we have a Democratic Congress and a new Democratic president inaugurated in January of 2009. We certainly can't afford a third Bush term with John McBush.

Video from the event will be posted at www.oaklanddemocraticpolitics.blogspot.com

Video of Carl Levin on This Week on Oakland Democratic Politics

by: bfealk

Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 12:38:13 PM EDT

Please visit www.oaklanddemocraticpolitics.blogspot.com to view Carl Levin talking about Michigan's primary situation.

Carl Levin basically tells us that Michigan's delegates will count one way or the other.  The best possibility is a primary by mail, but the questions is still where the money comes from.  Why isn't anyone talking about James Carville's offer of $15 million? 

Sen. Levin's Stand Against Bush's Torture Doctrine

by: ypsi-blue

Wed Feb 20, 2008 at 11:32:23 AM EST

From Michigan Class Notes

When American citizens, activists, or policymakers point fingers at other countries about their human rights records, many people in those countries simply retort, check yourself. According to an e-mail from Sen. Levin's campaign for reelection, this is one big reason he voted in the Senate last week to explicitly ban certain types of torture and to require U.S. intelligence officials to follow guidelines in the US Army Field Manual.

Levin provides this example:

Late last year in meetings with senior Saudi government officials, Congressional staffers raised concerns about the case of the Saudi rape victim who faced six months in prison and two hundred lashes because she spoke out publicly.

The Saudi officials responded by simply saying, "Guantanamo" and "Abu Ghraib". As if to say, "Who are you to lecture us about due process and human rights?"

Michigan's Dem Establishment is Boxing Without Gloves, Why Are Activists Wearing Theirs?

by: skarefamena

Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 12:09:21 PM EST

I believe that Jack Lessenberry is closer to the truth than most Michigan Democrats would like to admit.   Michigan's Democratic establishment is playing hardball and using brute force to prevent a fair fight in Michigan.

I don't think Senator Levin planned it that way at the outset, or that Levin, Granholm, Dingell, and Brewer had a "secret meeting" to decide their strategy.

These are all savvy politicians.  They know what they want, and they know how to get it.  They know that this is the most important election in decades.  They know this is the biggest opportunity for Democrats in decades.
 
They know just as well as any of us does what the difference is between a caucus and no caucus in Michigan, and seating the delegates as they stand or not seating the delegates at all.
 
They know which candidate they support too.   They have done the math and picked their pony.   What they've ultimately chosen is good for them, but that's no good for Michigan or the Democratic Party.

You tell me which candidate you support, and I betcha I can tell you what you think about a caucus in Michigan.  You tell me what you think about a caucus in Michigan, and I'll tell you which candidate you support.

This ain't rocketscience.

I promise, I will not be boycotting Clinton if she wins the election by the Michigan Margin.   I'm a Democrat, and another Republican president could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

But you can bet the farm that other folks will boycott!  This has the makings of a true disaster for the Democrats.  If Florida 2000 haunts us to this day, how are we gonna feel if the Clinton operation pulls off this ham-fisted delegate rob in Michigan, and it makes the difference between President Democrat and President McCain?  They always say, "Democrats always manage to rescue defeat from the jaws of victory" ...

The only near-fair solution is a showdown in Michigan and Florida. So long as the Democratic establishment in Michigan is not boxing with gloves on in this election, why should the voters, why should I?
 
We should be demanding a caucus, and we'll only be getting a caucus when Democratic activists say, "Either we caucus or heads are gonna roll!"

The Argument for a Michigan Caucus

by: skarefamena

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 18:46:26 PM EST

ARGUMENTS:

(1) Michigan deserves to have clout in this election. So long as our delegates do not count, Michiganders do not have clout.

(2) Our 128 delegates could be decisive. The race for delegates is expected to be very close at the time of the convention, with both candidates near, but not at, a majority. Michigan could tip the balance.

(3) Michiganders deserve to see the primary candidates up close and hear the candidates debate the issues that matter in Michigan, like the health of the Great Lakes and the loss of manufacturing jobs. Michiganders will not have this opportunity if January's results stand.

(4) Michigan voters deserve to be able to choose between all of the candidates. Most of the candidates names were removed from Michigan's ballot, and "Uncommitted" won the "youth vote," the "black vote," and over 40% (200,000) of the overall votes.

(5) Michigan deserves to have our delegates seated at the Democratic National Convention. As it stands, the DNC will reject the delegates distributed at Michigan's January 15 Primary because Michigan advanced the date of our Primary in defiance of DNC rules. They will restore our delegation's voting credentials if and only if we hold a caucus.

(6) Whichever candidate wins the nomination, they must win Michigan to win the presidency.  The opportunity to campaign in Michigan prior to the nominating convention would strengthen the nominee with Michigan voters.

Democrat Disgusted with Michigan Democrats

by: mattyjartist

Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 12:58:53 PM EST

Michigan certainly has made history. Its Democratic party leaders have earned Michigan first prize as Jackass State of America while the rest of the clowns in the party infrastructure stand around like zombies and clap.

In election year that has already generated record interest on both sides of the aisle, Captain Ahab Levin has sold the soul of Michigan Democratic voters in pursuit of his White Whale Early Primary.  Mark Brewer and the multi-talented Debbie Dingell, capitalizing on Levin's myopic madness,  jumped on his poor judgement as the perfect opportunity to engineer Labor's Primary Dream: a nearly completely controlled and closed caucus where independents and non-labor Democratic interests are shut out of the process.  

"Michigan Democrats:  One party, one vote (except when Jim Barcia and Dennis Olshove are looking over their shoulders)."

Let's Challenge Carl Levin

by: A Student For A Democratic Society

Thu Dec 20, 2007 at 21:22:40 PM EST

Carl Levin could be a leader of the anti-war movement.  He is the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, giving him tremendous credentials on foreign affairs.  Yet the Senator has been very conservative when it comes to ending the war.  He spoke out against the surge, but despite its obvious failure in regards to the political benchmarks, Carl still votes for this war.

We in the netroots can no longer pretend that just because you have a 'D' by your name, you are infallible.  It is necessary for us to go campaign against the Dick DeVoses of the world, but it is just as necessary to show Carl Levin what it means to be a true Michigan Liberal.

So call Senator Levin.  Call him often.  Tell him that he can not continue to support George Bush's war.  You see, that is the benefit of a democracy.  Not even a five-term Senator is immune from the people.

If he thinks he is, we need our own Ned Lamont.

Wednesday Coffee Talk

by: BZP

Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 07:14:21 AM EST

Happy Hump Day. Enjoy your morning cup-o-links!

• AP: Mich. Senate deals blow to smoking ban in bars, restaurants. "Republicans sent the smoking ban measure to a committee where many bills go to die. Democrats tried to steer it to the health policy committee instead because the committee's Republican chairman supports the ban." There's a word for this... Wizardkitten has more.
• DetNews Op-Ed: Bar owner: Level the playing field, stop secondhand smoking deaths. "Do we favor smokers' preference to puff away in utmost convenience, or do we favor the health and economic prosperity of Michigan residents? The choice should be easy."

• Saginaw News: Governor, business leaders talk alternative energy. "The Democratic governor reiterated her hope the state will land future Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. growth beyond the $1 billion plans in the works in Thomas Township." The gov speaks with WNEM about alternative energy in this video; more on her blog.
• AP: Under federal pressure, Dow submits dioxin cleanup plan. "The company said it submitted a "good-faith offer" Monday, the deadline set in October by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA is pressing the chemical giant to move faster on cleanup of a 50-mile watershed extending from the plant to Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay."
• Michigan Future: Health Plan of Michigan to move downtown. Motown is the place to be: "Health Plan of Michigan announced today that it will relocate its corporate headquarters and staff of 111 employees to downtown Detroit from Southfield."
• AP: Auto Icon Announces Retirement. It looks like Bob Lutz will retire from GM shortly after the Volt hits the market.

• Capitol Journal: None of the above. Derek wonders what would happen if "Uncommitted" were to win the Democratic presidential primary. "Clinton's campaign is like the University of Michigan football team. The Michigan Democratic Primary could be her Appalachian State."
• Michigan Messenger: Blue Tiger Dems kick for more civic involvement. Kevin has a nice write-up on the Blue Tiger Dems, and what they've been up to this year.
• AP: Potential Challengers Mull Run Against Levin. The Republicans' bench includes a guy that Levin mopped the floor with in 2002 (Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski) and an extremely conservative State Rep with another name that's hard to pronounce (Jack Hoogendyk). I find this quote from Raczkowski quite amusing: "Some people jokingly say, 'well if you're running against Senator Levin, then you're a sacrificial lamb.' I ask them, if not I, then who?" I think he answered his own question.

• Bay City Times: Students defend Gay-Straight Alliance club at Central High. It's frightening that people still think like this: "Bublitz told board members that the club is inappropriate and potentially harmful for students, and that in her research she has found that gay-straight alliances in general are encouraged to promote homosexuality, push for gay-friendly curricula and to develop relationships with adult homosexual groups."
• Michigan Messenger: 200 protest lack of action in CMU noose case. "We are here to talk about prosecutorial misconduct," Grand Rapids radio host Robert S told the crowd. "When a prosecutor sees a clear crime and writes it off as a joke, there is a problem. If someone had painted a swastika, there would be a lot more people here."
• Michigan Messenger: Southern Poverty Law Center Publishes Story About MSU YAF. You can read the full SPLC report here. As a Spartan grad, this is not the kind of attention I want my school to be getting.

Levin Betrays Michigan, Again.

by: dkmich

Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 18:22:12 PM EST

Levin has failed this state again, and it is time he got a real job. This is the last straw. If I want a Republican Senator, I'll elect one.  

MDP exec meeting by PHONE tonight; you're cut out. Act (FLASH: 4 Dems NOT on ballot)

by: David Boyle

Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 00:58:26 AM EST

  ...The state Democratic Party's executive committee will meet Tuesday night by conference call to finalize the decision to participate in the Jan. 15 contest. Primary supporters believe they have the votes on the committee to go forward, though there are likely to be some among the 80 or so committee members who argue to opt out of the primary, especially if the House fails to add the missing candidate names.

  Oh, a little private meeting, huh? And not on the regular Wednesday? Looks like somebody wants to cut out live, personal opinion and presence at that meeting.
  Bad idea.

  What you can do about it...is somewhat up to you. It certainly includes contacting the MDP,

e-mail midemparty@michigandems.com,

and

phone (517) 371-5410

, to complain that it will be a closed-to-the-public meeting (OR to demand the meeting be delayed and opened to the public), and to ask for a February 9 caucus (or February 5th-or-later primary--if you're a huge primary fan) that will prevent the DNC from rejecting Michigan delegates.
  And whatever else you want: it's your opinion and right to voice it. --Just as rank-and-file Mich Dems are finding their voice and organizing an implementation challenge against the MDP's rulebreaking, and, I believe, unethical, manipulation of the delegate selection process.

  (See philgoblue's recent diary If You Want an Election and Not a Coronation You Must Act Today - Monday Morning Edition for more contact information, and info on how you can participate in the implementation challenge.)

  Do you really want Debbie Dingell and Mark Brewer and Carl Levin--working in collusion with Saul Anuzis and Mike Bishop, by the way--to risk throwing away your vote completely, in a DNC-rulebreaking primary (or January caucus) that also risks not getting ballots to our overseas soldiers on time? Forgive me, but I certainly hope you don't want that.

  Thank you for your efforts in keeping Michigan Democrats democratic. They are deeply appreciated.

  FLASH/update: see AP via DetNews, Senate refuses to restore 4 Democrats to ballot,

  Michigan's Jan. 15 primary ballot will include just half the Democratic candidates for president.
  The state Senate on Tuesday refused to take up legislation that would have restored the names of four Democratic presidential candidates to the ballot who withdrew earlier from the primary.
  Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, blamed Democrats for not being on the same page with each other. ...
  Bishop said some of the Democratic candidates threatened to sue if their names were restored to the ballot. [HA HA HA!!!] Republicans said election clerks couldn't afford to delay any further waiting for legislators to act or lawsuits to be settled. ...

Sen. Levin Endorses Primary

by: sndowty

Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 13:18:57 PM EDT

The Detroit News reported that Sen. Levin has stated he supports a January primary, although he had a personal preference for caucuses:

Thursday, October 25, 2007 Levin won't fight Dem primary Senator says he'll back Mich. gov's decision to hold Jan. 15 vote though he prefers caucuses. Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- Sen. Carl Levin signaled Wednesday that he will back Gov. Jennifer Granholm if she decides to keep Michigan Democrats involved in the Jan. 15 presidential primary, reducing the chances the state party will drop out of the primary and hold caucuses instead. Levin repeated his preference for Michigan Democrats to keep open the possibility of withdrawing from the scheduled primary and holding party caucuses on the same day New Hampshire holds its primary. " "However, the governor who will decide this issue ultimately, and I believe should decide this ultimately, I believe has basically decided it's going to be on the 15th," Levin told reporters at a breakfast. New Hampshire officials are delaying the scheduling of their primary, citing Levin's threats to challenge their state by holding Democratic caucuses on the same day. But Granholm has consistently backed the Jan. 15 date. Levin's statements appeared to rule out the possibility he would challenge Granholm on the issue. The Jan. 15 primary is a boon to the campaign of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, whom Granholm has endorsed and is the only top-tier Democrat who has not pulled her name from the Jan. 15 ballot. Backers of other candidates have pushed for the party to withdraw and hold party caucuses. As it now stands, all the Democratic candidates are boycotting Michigan and Florida, which are breaking national rules that bar all but a handful of states from voting before Feb. 5. States violating the national calendar risk losing their national convention delegates. In an unrelated development Wednesday, a lawsuit was filed asking a judge to block the Jan. 15 election until issues are resolved over who will have access to voting records. If a primary is held, voters will be required to request a Republican or Democratic ballot; the state parties will have access to lists, but they would not be public records. The lawsuit argues the records should be available under the state Freedom of Information Act.

"Overdue"; A Message From Senator Carl Levin

by: DianeS

Wed Oct 24, 2007 at 10:02:01 AM EDT

"The brutal attack on University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in October of 1998 - beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die just because he was gay - shocked the conscience of our country. 

Out of that tragedy grew a drive to enact stronger legislation to help combat hate crimes in our country. While no law can outlaw bigotry, involving federal law enforcement and imposing stricter penalties against those who commit hate crimes can help fight it. 

Last month, the Senate agreed by 1 vote to an amendment - the Mathew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act - to provide additional federal protection against hate crimes as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. I have long been an original cosponsor of this legislation, and it was reintroduced this year in April. This legislation is now before a House-Senate Conference Committee. 

Click here to stand with me.  Don't let our opponents deny federal protections against the worst kinds of hate crimes. 

We can't undo the violence of past hate crimes. But we can finally increase federal support to bring perpetrators of hate crimes to justice and to help deter these despicable crimes from happening at all.

Existing law narrowly defines hates crimes as offenses motivated by race, ethnic background, religion and national origin. This new legislation would, for the first time, expand the definition of a hate crime to include sexual orientation, gender and disability. It would also significantly expand the circumstances under which federal prosecutors can prosecute hate crimes. 

In the coming weeks, the legislation will face serious opposition, including a threatened veto by President Bush.  To succeed, we have to show our opponents a groundswell of public support. 

The stakes are high. This legislation is an important step in making America a fully inclusive nation that does not tolerate acts of violence against individuals because of who they are. It's time to take action to punish those responsible."

Thank You Senators, for Having Some Backbone

by: Bluesman Johnson

Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 13:14:06 PM EDT

This is getting crazy.  I'm glad our Michigan senators had a little backbone here.  I lost a lot of respect (if I still had any) for any Democrat on this list that was too weak to vote (that means you, O'Bama), or who caved in to the hunta (that means you, Feinstein).  I barely recognize this country any more.  Anyone with me?

Three Cheers for Levin & Stabenow...

by: dkmich

Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 17:46:56 PM EDT

If you want to see the fools that wasted your money on this stupid political ploy, click here. Sorry this is short, but it was urgent that credit was given where credit is due.  Woot for Michigan's Senators Levin and Stabenow.

Call Levin's office and Demand ACTION TOWARDS PETRAEUS Report

by: Gaspare

Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 13:20:57 PM EDT

Below is cut and pasted from Steve Soto at Left Coaster.  I whole heartedly agree and urge every Michigan liberal to Call Senator Levin's office(202-224-6221) be firm and polite.  Steve sets out concise and clear talking points below to help.

Presidential candidates should withdraw names from Michigan early primary ballot

by: David Boyle

Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 03:55:01 AM EDT

  "...some of the candidates -- including former Sen. John Edwards, who has invested heavily in building early momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire -- were said to be considering upping the ante by withdrawing their names from the Michigan primary ballot.
  Edwards campaign director David Bonior of Michigan didn't respond immediately to queries about his candidate's plans. But if one or more of the top contenders drops out, Michigan's Jan. 15 primary could quickly deteriorate into an insignificant sideshow.
  ...But [Carl] Levin said it was "inconceivable" that any Democratic candidate would do "something as self-destructive as taking their name off the primary ballot. ...
  In [a] letter, Levin and [Debbie] Dingell argued that it was New Hampshire -- not Michigan -- that first violated party rules by moving its primary from Jan. 22 to sometime before Jan. 19 in a "transparent effort ... to maintain its privileged position of going immediately after Iowa. ..."
  Levin said Michigan could revert to its original Feb. 5 primary date, but only if New Hampshire backs off its jump. ..."

  So, if NH goes 3 days before it should, then Mich can go...3 WEEKS before it should? Oy.
  --Note, though, how Carl Levin gives wiggle room for Michigan to cave completely. Astute, if belated. With a pathetic little "rebellion" like Michigan is mounting against the DNC and Howard Dean, no wonder Levin wants an out.

  Not even discussing related issues like primarying John Dingell out of office: I hope the presidential candidates remove their names from the rulebreaking Michigan primary ballot as soon as possible. It's actually good for Michigan, in the long run, since people will be taught that you can't win by cheating.

Granholm wrong to coddle Repubs on 1/15/08 primary

by: David Boyle

Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 15:53:46 PM EDT

  But when Jennifer Granholm can defy Michigan Democrats and Howard Dean's DNC, and side with Michigan Repubs, to do something unnecessary like moving the primary way up to January 15, she does that. Huh???

  ...See, e.g., NYT, on some of the Michigan early-primary monkeyshines, here. Our other pal Carl Levin, instead of spending more time on Iraq etc., is wasting his time on moving Michigan's primary too early and messing things up. Doesn't the man have better things to do? And why is he agreeing with Michigan Repubs here?

  Feel free to contact your representatives and "stop the madness". Unless you're into madness, of course.

Conyers vs. Credit Cards -- The background and the fight ahead

by: Interrobanger

Mon Jul 09, 2007 at 11:10:17 AM EDT

And I was just going to write a new version of a post I did for Daily Kos last week when I saw that ScottyUrb had linked it as part of the Saturday round-up. This one is more work-related, actually. There's a group here I've been consulting for called the Merchants Payments Coaltion -- it's a coalition of coalitions, small businesses, restaurants, convenience stores and so on, banding together to fight against unfair credit card fees that target merchant account holders. The website is appropriately named UnfairCreditCardFees.com.

The specific fee, my pet issue, is called the interchange fee. If you have an account to accept credit card payments, or are close to someone who does, then this hardly needs explaining. But for the uninitiated, here's the deal:

When you use a credit card either online or in person, your bank has to talk to the merchant's bank. Similar to ATM fees, this is not a costless transaction (although it is much cheaper than they let on). But as we know, any business always passes on costs to its customers, and so those fees end up embedded in the cost of the goods we pay.

As Wikipedia explains:

Interchange fees have a complex pricing structure, which is based on the card brand, the type of credit or debit card, the type and size of the accepting merchant, and the type of transaction (e.g. online, in-store, phone order). Further complicating the rates schedules, interchange fees are typically a flat fee plus a percentage of the total purchase price (including taxes). In the United States, the fee averages approximately 2% of transaction value.

Ever wonder why you see those signs that say "minimum credit card purchase" at coffee shops, mom n pop stores and the like? That's because the credit card fee eats so far into the margins that if you use a card to buy something less than a dollar, the store-owner could actually lose money on the sale.

Now, it's against the rules set by the credit card associations to charge different prices for cash and credit, unless it's calculated ahead of time and advertised that way. Gas stations and liquor stores sometimes find this manageable, but it's impossible for most businesses.

(Also worth noting, Visa and MasterCard, though publicly traded or headed for IPO, are little more than shell companies controlled by banks like JPMorgan Chase and Citi. When you talk about deceptive and manipulative credit card practices, you're talking about the banks.)

Worse, those thousand-plus page agreements that merchants have to sign before they can accept Visa or Mastercard is a rule included to ensure the customer has no idea what's going on: it's highly highly against the rules for merchants to tell customers about the interchange fee they pay.

These interchange fees keep rising though technology keeps reducing the cost of transactions. That makes it a huge cash cow for the banks. And as I said in my first Daily Kos diary on the subject, this fee is the biggest reverse-Robin Hood scheme you've never heard of:

The banks that control the Visa/MC use the money generated from them to pay for the rewards cards you can only get if you qualify, and you have to be worth something already to qualify.

So think about it: A person living on a fixed income, who uses cash to pay for most items, pays a small percentage of that interchange fee every time he or she buys everyday goods at any place that takes credit cards. The banks then take those fees and give them to people who certainly don't need it, but like it when their bank gives them free stuff. And who doesn't like free stuff?

Anyway, I hope you're still reading, because here's what's timely -- later this week, Conyers and his Antitrust subcommittee are expected to hold a hearing on this. From our website:

No official announcement has been made, but sources tell the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) that the hearing will likely be held on July 19. Witnesses have not been named, but Committee members are expected to use the hearing to examine the impact of interchange fees on consumers and businesses as well as the antitrust law implications of the interchange fee system.

The hearing would be the fourth congressional session this year to examine credit card fees and the first to focus specifically on interchange. Last year, the Senate Judiciary Committee and a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee held  major hearings  on whether interchange practices violate federal antitrust laws and the consumer protection impacts of the fees.

If there's more, and if you'll have me, I'll be back to follow up on it. This could be big, at least if you care about unsavory banking practices and fixing the interchange fee.

Is Carl Levin really the anti-christ? (part 2)

by: Hazen Pingree

Sat Jun 23, 2007 at 13:09:51 PM EDT

In the opinion piece, Levin mischaracterized the effort led by Feingold and Majority Leader Harry Reid as somehow cutting off funding for U.S. troops. In fact, the Feingold-Reid bill would not end funding for the ongoing military mission in Iraq until U.S. troops had been safely redeployed out of harm's way.