-- 16 May 2007 --

Financial difficulty affects relationship. Can accept the impact and control that banks and government have over your financials, and therefore over your relationship with your husband or wife?!?

This was brought home in the Boston Globe this past week in a story that reported a couple calling for their wedding because of fears of future indebtedness.

A young man was quoted ”I want to marry her, but I don't want to marry her debt, and I can't justify spending anything on a wedding when our finances don't make sense at all."

You can just feel his dilemma. In my film IN DEBT WE TRUST, the conservative Nashville based radio host Dave Ramsey explains, that “money problems are a big reason behind divorces.. “ Financial pressures impose on every family and often lead to domestic violence and alcohol or drug dependency. The pressure is often too much.

Some family members don’t even tell their loved ones about the debts they are running up. As a result, there can be lying and even stealing when the bills come due. That’s happened in my life. I just saw a segment about this conflict on BIG LOVE, the HBO series set in a polygamous marriage.

This is why we have to stop the squeeze and get folks to realize that they are not alone in coping with the debt noose. No one wants to talk about their personal finances unless they have to but the pressure they are confronting are often the result of economic and political decisions made by others.

When Congress fails to protect consumers, that’s one political decision. When big banks and credit card companies are allowed to get away with predatory practices or outrageous interest and fees, that’s another one.

That’s why this whole issue has become one of personal survival and economic justice. We need fairness, transparency and accountability in lending!

Look at what happened in this last week involving student loans. The press has been full of stories of conflicts of interests, payoffs and gifts to schools and colleges to steer students to higher priced loans etc. Here’s a headline from the New York Times: “LAWMAKERS SEE A RESPONSIBILITY FAILURE.”

And, for once, the irresponsibility is not being blamed on us, the consumers. Even Margaret Spellings, the Education Secretary in the Bush Administration admitted in testimony, “the system is redundant, it’s Byzantine and it’s broken.” She said the system is “CRYING OUT FOR REFORM.”

Well…..

Thank you Madam Secretary - finally some truth in high places... but only after the press started exposing the situation, not before.

Commenting on one of the rip-offs that was documented Representative John Tierney said, “It boggles my mind -
We allowed somebody to get away essentially with theft.”

Wake up Mr. Congressman! That’s happening every day in every corner of the credit cesspool. What we have here is a bank robbery - only it is the banks and their affiliates on Wall Street that is doing the robbing.

We need a major investigation into all of this. We need and roused public that will press the polls and the companies for reform and debt relief.

One way you can help is by organizing a screening of IN DEBT WE TRUST in your home or community. Get it on the air. This past week, I was promoting IN DEBT WE TRUST on WBAI, Pacifica Radio in New York City which is offering the film on their fund drive. But also on the other end of the spectrum on Alan Colmes Radio show on FOX NEWS RADIO.

This issue impacts everybody across the spectrum. It affects people of every age, color and political perspective. If we fight back, it can unite us.

Last week I was covering a labor conference and met many labor leaders who agreed this is a major problem for their members and promised to do screenings.

Don’t wait for someone else to act. Take action yourself. Use the film and our shorter video resources to promote awareness and make change.

We are also looking for some donors to support our not-for-profit outreach and educational campaign with tax deductible donations to:

The Global Center
575 8th Avenue,
New York, New York 10018

If you have comments or suggestions, share them with me at dissector@mediachannel.org.

Danny Schechter
Editor Mediachannel.org
Director IN DEBT WE TRUST
InDebtWeTrust.com
212 246-0202x3006

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Why is it important for women to protect and increase their credit scores?
By Anthony Stroman (Financial Healer)

A good credit rating is one of the most powerful tools that women need to give themselves economic power. As I travel around the country conducting Financial Healing Seminars and doing Christian Radio Shows, I am getting a lot of feedback from women who are not prepared financially in the area of credit.

Unfortunately, the husband might have passed away, separated or divorced. Women are left holding the financial bag with holes. Here are a few ways that negative credit can affect a woman when she is put in a position to take care of herself and in some cases her beautiful children.

Employment
Most companies are now running credit before they decide to hire you. Sometimes a low credit score can keep you from getting promoted.

Car Payment
Most states have financial parasites that will charge up to 29% for a car loan, which can have a devastating effect on your cash flow.

Mortgage
Some women are paying 9, 10 and 11% for a mortgage but with a strong credit score they can possibly refinance that mortgage at lower interest rates and use the difference for college education, retirement, savings or to create generational wealth.

Below is a breakdown of score ranges and the kind of terms women can expect at various levels:

650 or higher: A score of 650 or above indicates a very good credit profile. Women falling into this range will usually be able to obtain credit quickly and at a good interest rate.

620 or less: This score will mean higher interest rates for women, if credit is granted at all.

Remember: Financial Mastery equals peace of mind in our households.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John: 2)

Anthony Stroman conducts motivational and inspirational seminars about one of this millennium's major problems burdening Americans: debt and negative credit. His engaging and life changing style will give you a road map to eliminate debt from your life.

Anthony's background includes banking and finance. He is a Certified Instructor in Credit Education and Debt Elimination; he is currently a member of Toastmasters International and a member of Credit Professionals International of Atlanta. Anthony conducts seminars across the country with faith-based and community organizations, corporations, small businesses and non-profits. He has appeared throughout the country on radio and television shows whose focus is helping people free themselves from the shackles of debt and credit mismanagement.

Contact Anthony Stroman at:
Office: 770-477-2477
Cell: 678-907-3135
stromanenterprise@hotmail.com

Mr. Stroman's next workshop will take place on May 19, 2007 @ 11:00am at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel, One Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30354
(404) 209-9999