I once worked for a man, a Republican, at the Department of Financial Institutions that always referred to the payday loan industry as “snakes”. He was right. Yesterday the House tried to round up a few of the snakes.
From the Courier-Journal:
The House passed a bill yesterday to increase oversight of Kentucky's payday loan industry over objections of some lawmakers who argued it might hurt small lenders.
But Rep. Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow, the sponsor of House Bill 500, said it would place minimal restrictions on the flourishing industry that offers high-cost, short-term cash loans to borrowers.
"What I am trying to do is protect the consumers," said Bell, who fended off a last-minute amendment by Rep. Kenneth Upchurch, R-Monticello, to turn the bill into a study of the payday loan business.
Will this bill actually become law?
No, David Williams is going to kill it, again from the Courier-Journal:
Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said yesterday he hadn't seen the bill and said the Senate was busy with other matters, including the budget.
"It's getting a little bit late in this session to pass very many House bills," he said.
Bell is trying to protect consumers from payday lenders that play loose with the law but he is also trying to protect consumers from themselves.
Though people aren't supposed to have more than two loans at a time, research shows some have multiple loans from different lenders and fall behind when they can't keep up with the payments, Bell said.
But the state now has no way to track that, and lenders say they rely on the word of their customers that they don't have more than two outstanding loans, he said.
The sad truth here is that regardless of how many limits are placed on this industry it is consumer driven and it will still victimize its’ customers. Whether some guy in a strip shopping center collects the money or two guys with no necks corner you in an alley the financial result is the same.
This is just another example of government cleaning up what is really a crime, making it look pretty and allowing it to take advantage of the citizens of the Commonwealth.
This payday loan industry is just Loan Sharking with a shell of acceptability just like the Lottery is the Numbers Game run by a state contractor.
Regardless of the limits put on this industry, even if it is made illegal in Kentucky, people will still seek out this service either in the shopping center or a back alley.
Of course if casino's are approved in Kentucky we could franchise out a payday loan operation at each location, think of the money the state would make.
I'm sure Davey would have used the service:
As a means of collecting the gambling debt Davey owes them, Tony and Richie Aprile have been overseeing the purchase of merchandise for Davey's sporting goods store -- and then taking the goods for themselves. The good news for Davey is that he will finally be free of Tony and Richie; the bad news is he'll lose the store, his savings and probably his family.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Doctor is In The House
Sometimes a legislator will just make you smile, take first term Legislator, Rep. David Watkins for instance.
From the Courier-Journal:
The Health and Welfare Committee voted 9 to 6 to reject Senate Bill 112 -- but not before committee member David Watkins, D-Henderson, delivered a tongue-lashing to the bill's sponsor, Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs.
Watkins, a family physician, called the measure divisive and said the Senate is ignoring the state's biggest health problems, including smoking, obesity and a lack of adequate mental health services for its citizens.
"I am tired of the same petty issues coming before us when we've got major issues to address," he said.
Right On!
The good Doctor is also pushing for a 70 cent increase in the cigarette tax, has yet to show me anything I don’t like.
He is absolutely right that McGaha in the Senate and likes of Stan Lee in the House continue to push petty issues and not addressing the major issues. They are caught up in gay bashing and blaming Hispanics for the ills of the Commonwealth instead of dealing with real problems.
An Editorial in La Voz makes this true point about McGaha, Lee et al:
It is problematic when public offices are used to feed the fire and propagate the ideology of the extreme right that in no way represents the majority.
In fact, each and every politician that aligned his or her electoral campaign with those ideas was defeated. Let’s ask Ernie Fletcher and Stan Lee, who both were completely rejected by the Kentucky electorate when they played the anti-immigrant card.
I guess Vernie couldn’t believe that someone in the General Assembly would tell him the truth so he pulled out the sanctity of marriage argument. I’m still waiting to see the marriage that was saved by that constitutional amendment.
Again from the Courier-Journal:
McGaha said his concern is the "sanctity of marriage" and said he was offended by Watkins' comments.
"Dr. Watkins is totally off-base," McGaha said. "He is a disgrace to the process we have here."
I think Watkins is a credit to the Commonwealth and General Assembly, McGaha may think Watkins is a “disgrace to the process” but as near as I can tell he was just using my Duck rule.
If it sounds like a duck, looks like a duck and smells like a duck, then it probably is a duck.
From the Courier-Journal:
The Health and Welfare Committee voted 9 to 6 to reject Senate Bill 112 -- but not before committee member David Watkins, D-Henderson, delivered a tongue-lashing to the bill's sponsor, Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs.
Watkins, a family physician, called the measure divisive and said the Senate is ignoring the state's biggest health problems, including smoking, obesity and a lack of adequate mental health services for its citizens.
"I am tired of the same petty issues coming before us when we've got major issues to address," he said.
Right On!
The good Doctor is also pushing for a 70 cent increase in the cigarette tax, has yet to show me anything I don’t like.
He is absolutely right that McGaha in the Senate and likes of Stan Lee in the House continue to push petty issues and not addressing the major issues. They are caught up in gay bashing and blaming Hispanics for the ills of the Commonwealth instead of dealing with real problems.
An Editorial in La Voz makes this true point about McGaha, Lee et al:
It is problematic when public offices are used to feed the fire and propagate the ideology of the extreme right that in no way represents the majority.
In fact, each and every politician that aligned his or her electoral campaign with those ideas was defeated. Let’s ask Ernie Fletcher and Stan Lee, who both were completely rejected by the Kentucky electorate when they played the anti-immigrant card.
I guess Vernie couldn’t believe that someone in the General Assembly would tell him the truth so he pulled out the sanctity of marriage argument. I’m still waiting to see the marriage that was saved by that constitutional amendment.
Again from the Courier-Journal:
McGaha said his concern is the "sanctity of marriage" and said he was offended by Watkins' comments.
"Dr. Watkins is totally off-base," McGaha said. "He is a disgrace to the process we have here."
I think Watkins is a credit to the Commonwealth and General Assembly, McGaha may think Watkins is a “disgrace to the process” but as near as I can tell he was just using my Duck rule.
If it sounds like a duck, looks like a duck and smells like a duck, then it probably is a duck.
All Politics are Personal
A well DUH moment from David Williams, from the Courier-Journal:
Senate President David Williams yesterday accused Rep. Harry Moberly of ramming Eastern Kentucky University projects into the state budget during closed-door conference committee meetings.
Moberly, D-Richmond, is the chairman of the House budget committee and a high-ranking official at EKU.
"I've been at the conference table in the conference many times when he has stood up to have things added for EKU in the budget," Williams, R-Burkesville, said in a session with reporters. "If he doesn't get what he wants in the budget nobody else is going to get what they want in the budget, or other people can't get things for UK or U of L if he doesn't get what he wants in the budget."
Who in their right mind would ever think that Harry Moberly, the most powerful person in relationship to the budget, wouldn’t have an agenda? Did you think EKU made him the Executive Director of Administration because of his good looks? Maybe his years of protecting his University had something to do with it. Of course Harry is going to take care of EKU.
Williams is whining because he doesn’t have total control of the budget. This is called compromise, you get some of what you want and I get some of what I want. Williams just doesn’t play well with others and wants to get back a Moberly for killing the Republican backed bill to eliminate the CATS test in public schools.
With Williams, all politics are personal.
Senate President David Williams yesterday accused Rep. Harry Moberly of ramming Eastern Kentucky University projects into the state budget during closed-door conference committee meetings.
Moberly, D-Richmond, is the chairman of the House budget committee and a high-ranking official at EKU.
"I've been at the conference table in the conference many times when he has stood up to have things added for EKU in the budget," Williams, R-Burkesville, said in a session with reporters. "If he doesn't get what he wants in the budget nobody else is going to get what they want in the budget, or other people can't get things for UK or U of L if he doesn't get what he wants in the budget."
Who in their right mind would ever think that Harry Moberly, the most powerful person in relationship to the budget, wouldn’t have an agenda? Did you think EKU made him the Executive Director of Administration because of his good looks? Maybe his years of protecting his University had something to do with it. Of course Harry is going to take care of EKU.
Williams is whining because he doesn’t have total control of the budget. This is called compromise, you get some of what you want and I get some of what I want. Williams just doesn’t play well with others and wants to get back a Moberly for killing the Republican backed bill to eliminate the CATS test in public schools.
With Williams, all politics are personal.
Kentucky v. Bloggers
One last comment, one more than it’s probably worth, on Steve Beshear allowing access to blog sites.
Yes, I am glad that the silly restriction was lifted. But I do wish the Herald-Leader would do its’ homework a little better before publishing things like this.
Reversing a policy set by former Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration, state-owned computers used by executive branch employees can now access blogs. The state had banned access to most blogs, excluding those operated by newspaper and television companies, since June 2006.
"We don't believe it is state government's role to distinguish between which news source is legitimate and which is illegitimate," said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the cabinet. "For the most part, we are leaving an open Internet."
The troubling thing here is Miller’s comment that “we are leaving an open Internet” when in fact they are being more restrictive than Fletcher’s administration.
Like I said I’m glad bloggers aren’t being blocked, but whether this administration is more open on their Internet access policy is arguable.
Yes, I am glad that the silly restriction was lifted. But I do wish the Herald-Leader would do its’ homework a little better before publishing things like this.
Reversing a policy set by former Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration, state-owned computers used by executive branch employees can now access blogs. The state had banned access to most blogs, excluding those operated by newspaper and television companies, since June 2006.
"We don't believe it is state government's role to distinguish between which news source is legitimate and which is illegitimate," said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the cabinet. "For the most part, we are leaving an open Internet."
The troubling thing here is Miller’s comment that “we are leaving an open Internet” when in fact they are being more restrictive than Fletcher’s administration.
Like I said I’m glad bloggers aren’t being blocked, but whether this administration is more open on their Internet access policy is arguable.
Beshear Opens State Computers to Internet - Sort Of
Here’s a little more detail on the Governor Steve Beshear administration’s opening up state computers to see blog sites like this one.
Some observations:
Beshear has blocked more categories of web sites than former Governor Ernie Fletcher had blocked.
While pushing for casino’s Beshear has blocked all of the games and gambling categories.
Beshear has blocked the illegal drug category, but neither blocked the tobacco or alcohol categories.
Fletcher didn’t want you watch sports and Beshear doesn’t want you to find a date.
First a list of the things Fletcher and Beshear can agree on should be blocked.
Pornography - Includes Web sites containing the depiction and illustration of sexually explicit activities and erotic content unsuitable to persons under the age of 18.
Erotic / Sex - Includes Web sites containing nude photography and erotic material, as can be found ontelevision or obtained free of charge from magazines. Sexually explicit activities are not listed here. Includes erotic collections of celebrities pictures as well.
Swimwear / Lingerie / Nudity - Includes Web sites containing nudity, but with no sexual references. Includes illustration of swimwear and lingerie as well.
Illegal Activities - Includes activities that violate the Human Rights Charta or are illegal according to German and European law, such as instructions for murder, manuals for sabotage such as bomb building, instructions for illegal activity, child pornography, sodomy, slavery, torture etc.
Computer Crime - Includes Web sites containing information about the illegal manipulation of electronic devices, data networks and password encryption, as well as about credit card misuse and other methods of Internet fraud such as dialer scam.
Hate / Discrimination - Includes Web sites from and about extreme right and left wing groups, sexism, racism, religious hate, suppression of minorities, inequitable boycott calls and holocaust revisionism.
Illegal Software (Cracked) - This category contains Web sites with software cracks, license key lists and illegal license key generators, as well as providers of equivocal P2P content and violations of copyright.
Extreme - Includes Web sites containing questionable content or promoting extremism (e.g. violence, militancy).
Music / Web Radio - Includes Web sites for radio, Web radio, soundfiles (MP3, Wav, etc.), audio- streaming, homepages of musicians and bands, record labels and music vendors.
Anonymous Proxies - Includes Web sites that allow users to anonymously view Web sites.
Spyware / Adware - This category contains Web sites making use of or providing malicious applications violating personal or corporate privacy without user's explicit knowledge or consent. Examples of violations are unsolicited data exchange beyond simple user authentication or validation, unrequested installation of software among others.
Phishing - This category contains Web sites providing information about financial fraud through manipulated Web sites and e-mails, also known as Phishing.
Malicious Web sites - This category contains Web sites with malicious source code, such as self- installing Trojans and viruses that exploit security vulnerabilities in browsers or firewalls.
State Black List - Any particular site they feel like blocking.
Second a list of those categories that Fletcher blocked but Beshear opened.
Politics - This category contains Web sites of political parties and those sites that provide information about a particular political party and different political topics (election, democracy, etc.)
Religion - Includes Web sites with religious content, information about the [five] main religions, and religious communities that have emerged out of these religions.
Sects - This category contains Web sites about sects, cults, occultism, satanism and religious fundamentalism.
Newsgroups / Blogs - This category contains Web sites that enable the sharing of information such as on a bulletin board. Includes Web logs (“blogs”) and guest book servers as well.
Sports - This category contains Web sites about resort sports, fan clubs, events (e.g. Olympic Games, World Championships), sports results, clubs, teams, sporting federations, magazines and fan sites.
Third, those categories those were open under Fletcher and are now blocked by Beshear.
Gambling / Lottery - Includes lottery organizations, casinos, betting agencies and other gambling sites with chances of profit.
Computer Games - Includes Web sites with computer games, of computer game producers, cheat sites, online gaming zones, gaming clans and other gaming sites without chances of profit.
Toys - This category contains information about dolls, modelling, model trains/cars, board games, card games, parlor games as well as other non-educational products and offerings for children.
Chat / Instant Messaging - This category contains Web sites that allow users to communicate and to have a direct exchange of information with another user from place to place. Also listed are chatroom providers and offerings about Instant Messaging.
Illegal Drugs - This category contains Web sites about LSD, heroine, cocaine, pot, dope, amphetamines, stimulant drugs, magic mushrooms, doping drugs and the utilities for drug use (e.g. water pipes).
Dating / Relationships - This category contains Web sites that promote interpersonal relationships, escort services and family-related content as weddings and adoption.
Personal Homepages: This category contains Web sites about and from private individuals. Includes personal homepage servers and other sites with personal contents and activities.
Some observations:
Beshear has blocked more categories of web sites than former Governor Ernie Fletcher had blocked.
While pushing for casino’s Beshear has blocked all of the games and gambling categories.
Beshear has blocked the illegal drug category, but neither blocked the tobacco or alcohol categories.
Fletcher didn’t want you watch sports and Beshear doesn’t want you to find a date.
First a list of the things Fletcher and Beshear can agree on should be blocked.
Pornography - Includes Web sites containing the depiction and illustration of sexually explicit activities and erotic content unsuitable to persons under the age of 18.
Erotic / Sex - Includes Web sites containing nude photography and erotic material, as can be found ontelevision or obtained free of charge from magazines. Sexually explicit activities are not listed here. Includes erotic collections of celebrities pictures as well.
Swimwear / Lingerie / Nudity - Includes Web sites containing nudity, but with no sexual references. Includes illustration of swimwear and lingerie as well.
Illegal Activities - Includes activities that violate the Human Rights Charta or are illegal according to German and European law, such as instructions for murder, manuals for sabotage such as bomb building, instructions for illegal activity, child pornography, sodomy, slavery, torture etc.
Computer Crime - Includes Web sites containing information about the illegal manipulation of electronic devices, data networks and password encryption, as well as about credit card misuse and other methods of Internet fraud such as dialer scam.
Hate / Discrimination - Includes Web sites from and about extreme right and left wing groups, sexism, racism, religious hate, suppression of minorities, inequitable boycott calls and holocaust revisionism.
Illegal Software (Cracked) - This category contains Web sites with software cracks, license key lists and illegal license key generators, as well as providers of equivocal P2P content and violations of copyright.
Extreme - Includes Web sites containing questionable content or promoting extremism (e.g. violence, militancy).
Music / Web Radio - Includes Web sites for radio, Web radio, soundfiles (MP3, Wav, etc.), audio- streaming, homepages of musicians and bands, record labels and music vendors.
Anonymous Proxies - Includes Web sites that allow users to anonymously view Web sites.
Spyware / Adware - This category contains Web sites making use of or providing malicious applications violating personal or corporate privacy without user's explicit knowledge or consent. Examples of violations are unsolicited data exchange beyond simple user authentication or validation, unrequested installation of software among others.
Phishing - This category contains Web sites providing information about financial fraud through manipulated Web sites and e-mails, also known as Phishing.
Malicious Web sites - This category contains Web sites with malicious source code, such as self- installing Trojans and viruses that exploit security vulnerabilities in browsers or firewalls.
State Black List - Any particular site they feel like blocking.
Second a list of those categories that Fletcher blocked but Beshear opened.
Politics - This category contains Web sites of political parties and those sites that provide information about a particular political party and different political topics (election, democracy, etc.)
Religion - Includes Web sites with religious content, information about the [five] main religions, and religious communities that have emerged out of these religions.
Sects - This category contains Web sites about sects, cults, occultism, satanism and religious fundamentalism.
Newsgroups / Blogs - This category contains Web sites that enable the sharing of information such as on a bulletin board. Includes Web logs (“blogs”) and guest book servers as well.
Sports - This category contains Web sites about resort sports, fan clubs, events (e.g. Olympic Games, World Championships), sports results, clubs, teams, sporting federations, magazines and fan sites.
Third, those categories those were open under Fletcher and are now blocked by Beshear.
Gambling / Lottery - Includes lottery organizations, casinos, betting agencies and other gambling sites with chances of profit.
Computer Games - Includes Web sites with computer games, of computer game producers, cheat sites, online gaming zones, gaming clans and other gaming sites without chances of profit.
Toys - This category contains information about dolls, modelling, model trains/cars, board games, card games, parlor games as well as other non-educational products and offerings for children.
Chat / Instant Messaging - This category contains Web sites that allow users to communicate and to have a direct exchange of information with another user from place to place. Also listed are chatroom providers and offerings about Instant Messaging.
Illegal Drugs - This category contains Web sites about LSD, heroine, cocaine, pot, dope, amphetamines, stimulant drugs, magic mushrooms, doping drugs and the utilities for drug use (e.g. water pipes).
Dating / Relationships - This category contains Web sites that promote interpersonal relationships, escort services and family-related content as weddings and adoption.
Personal Homepages: This category contains Web sites about and from private individuals. Includes personal homepage servers and other sites with personal contents and activities.
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