Help The Middle ClassNews and Information For The Heart Of America
White House Officials Contradict Themselves On Success of Stimulus (Politico)
White House advisers appearing on the Sunday talk shows gave three different estimates of how many jobs could be credited to President Obama’s Recovery Act.
The discrepancy was pointed out by a Republican official in an email to reporters noting that “Three presidential advisers on three different programs [gave] three different descriptions of the trillion-dollar stimulus [...]
STIMULUS WATCH: AP Study Finds Counties With The Most Jobless, Getting The Least Aid
Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama’s plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found.
Although the intent of the money is to put people back to work, AP’s review of more than 5,500 planned transportation projects [...]
Banks Get Tougher on Credit Line
Banks are shortening the terms on lines of credit that have long been used by companies to avoid cash crunches — a sign that while lending is reviving, businesses are facing new hurdles to obtaining credit.
These revolving lines of credit typically ran for three or five years and let companies borrow at low interest rates, [...]
Opinion From The Left: Obama’s High-Velocity Activism
It has been a whirlwind. Even though Barack Obama has been accused of everything from socialism to fascism in his first 100 days in office, the best “-ism” to describe his governing philosophy has been activism.
We may still be in a mess, but at least we aren’t in a malaise.
It has been a headlong rush [...]
Credit Cards: Can’t Pay Your Minimum? Here’s What To Do
Dear Debt Adviser,
I am having trouble making the minimum payments on all my credit cards. What will happen if I pay less than the minimum payment? [...]
7 Misconceptions About The Stimulus
Since President Obama signed the economic-stimulus package into law February 17, I have received many questions about its provisions. And I’ve noticed that there are a lot of misconceptions about the plan. Here’s the lowdown.
Misconception #1: Most people will get their stimulus money as a check this year.
Instead of receiving a check from the government, [...]
“Too Small To Help”: No Relief For Students Trapped In Debt
A new report released Friday on the private student lending industry offers a bit of deja vu.
“It’s the same sad story: irresponsible lending,” says Deanne Loonin, author of the report and director of the National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, in an interview with the Huffington Post. “The loans that aren’t performing [...]
“I’m Buried in Debt”: How To Survive A Recession
Laurie Redmond thought she was making a smart decision when she quit her job in 2005 to become a mortgage broker. Her company, a large bank, had recently been bought out, and layoffs were imminent. Rather than compete with hundreds of other job seekers in the same profession, she says, “I jumped ship before I [...]
Opinion: The Case for Waste
The idea’s to stimulate the economy. So what if we blow a few billion on the wrong things?
By Alec MacGillis
As the $787 billion stimulus package starts to flow, the message from on high is clear: No one dare waste a dime of it.
“This plan cannot and will not be an excuse for waste and abuse,” [...]
Stimulus Snafus-Aid Being Doled Out At A ‘Snail’s Pace’
Building repairs are underway on public housing in Imboden, Ark., and Cumberland, Ill., states across the country are receiving money to weatherize the homes of low-income residents, and the Silver Star Construction Co. is about to start work on two road-resurfacing projects in south-central Oklahoma with a total cost of $12 million.
“We were thrilled to [...]
