Ok, Just What Can’t You Grasp?
Posted: Saturday, May 31, 2008
by straight talk
Just whatcan't you grasp? Look this is not rocket science. This economy is close if not already destroyed for average American families. Now that may not interest those who have yours and are smug about it, but like it or not their problems have a way of reaching out and becoming your problems, a simple fact.
Now most likely the many who have do not have credit issues yet in my opinion they really blame these people for their own circumstances. "They made their bed let them lay in it." is a common remark. Well that's another article I most likely already wrote to and another issue that I feel speaks volumes to those types who think this way.
Well lets get to the economy that is in my opinion in shambles for average Americans. Falling behind they HOPE, yes HOPE something will change. They actually start to believe in the ones who brought them to where they are and the join the haves who love them for what they have. However, along comes the friendly credit card company to bring some reality to it all. Yes, if you have you don't know but if you are an average American today you know all too well. That is the one charging 31.9% called and said you're late with your payment and you owe $485.00 and how much do you care to pay today to get your account back up to date? Hey haven't I written to this once before. Oh, yes I did but you know something it evidently hasn't registered so one more try.
The person said nothing since he has nothing. The man is really broken over it all. Pray all day but the reality is there right before him. The Credit Card collector starts the probe by saying, "you have been an outstanding customer up until these past few months, can you tell us why you have fallen behind"? As if that really matters. Yes and after "this is being recorded for training purposes" yes, right.
So here it goes. He replies rather directly, number one I was paying you approximately $75.00 a month with a rate of 14.9%. I am now paying over $250.00 a month, with fines, penalties, fees and over the limit charges at 31.9%. Number two, the person explained he is now unemployed and has medical and family problems that just came up and overwhelmed him. "We are so sorry, to hear about your difficulties, it really must be hard on you, but how much can you pay today"? "We really wouldn't want to see your account fall further behind". In my opinion a nice way to say, hey we need our money and now.
Well one might say it is his fault for ever having cards and you are probably right. However, not many are without one and when times are rough one might consider this as an only option for the short haul? You know always hoping, just like in these candidates and yes just like that bill collector who says, "perhaps you will be working again ion a few months"? Rhetorically one might see his reply as being, yes for $7.25 an hour if I'm lucky to get that high paying job.
So he replied "I guess you didn't hear me, nothing. I have nothing", a little tersely at this point. I'll use my words, zero, nada, zilch. "He reiterated, "I own nothing, have nothing and have little to no income". To which the person replied to him and as he reiterated it to me, "you know we have a hardship program and if you could pay only $60.00 a month we will not charge fees, or charges and at 14.9% and for 4 months. That is until you can get back to work." [there is that hope again].
He replied it seems you have a comprehension problem? Number one if I could pay the $60.00 a month I could most likely have continued paying the $75.00 a month. Yet you and my other two card holders have done exactly the same so I can't even pay that money and guarantee I could. Yes my Senators saw to that. They want to teach me to be responsible. Ok, get some air now on that one.
To that the person said " well you know we will have to send your account to collections and that will ruin your credit". To which he replied, "ruin my credit"? You can imagine the tone on that reply? Just what have you done already? Do you really think sending me to someone who in my opinion is a meat eater will change my circumstances for the better or resolve your problem?
To that person said and get this "have you tried debt consolidation"? To which he said ok, how about you consolidating all my cards into one fixed rate payback plan? "Oh we can't do that". She then asked "why haven't you gone to your bank for help", a fishing expedition, to which he said, my bank, just what are you drinking? My friendly banker is one of them that got me into this and I'm not so wanted by them. Only those who have. You know "the credit worthy" ones who don't need your card get their help. He then added, you may be able to survive and are real happy with what you are making on that job some American used to have, but over here $8.00 an hour just doesn't cut it.
He then said why don't you work with people to really help them and yourself? "Silence" he then said the answer is because you don't have to. You sell of the debt to a meat eater for pennies on the dollar and then write it off for that tax break as a loss. That meat eater tries to collect as much as he can and all on unsecured debt and over what he paid. Our government, oh I'm sorry your allies in our government and in my opinion support you and then people like me get the bad name. To that the collector said. "Call us if you are interested before your 60 days are up and hung up".
So you see my friends when I sit down and here this from good people. People that you could drive by their home and never know it. Who were once the haves just a year ago and due to circumstances not of their making this is what they now have. Yes, think hard my friends because "there but for the grace of God go I, or you".
The real question is this. This is only one example times thousands each day. What does this mean up the road? What does it mean to your customers who are no more and just like him? What does it mean when you can't close that sale? What does it mean when layoffs suddenly stop at your door? Get the point or just what can't you grasp? Will one day that be you?
Do you really think this nation will rebound for average Americans? Do you really think these candidates are the answer? Well for 50% of us registered voters we already know the answer. As for the rest of us, just wait for your call. It just may be coming soon, that is as long as your phone stays on, then check the mail.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio
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