 |
||
|
-- 19 April 2007 -- |
||
|
Welcome and thanks for joining! As our campaign picks up momentum, we will use this newsletter to keep you informed about the latest developments and to provide educational articles and tools to manage debt & credit. The AFDRN team. |
DISSECTOR DEBT BLOG In Debt We Trust Director Danny Schechter reports on the film and campaign. The Stop The Squeeze / Americans for Debt Relief campaign is underway as we start screening IN  DEBT
WE TRUST nationwide. Working with
DocWorkers,
an LA based strategy and distribution company, we are rolling out a
grassroots / netroots campaign with theatrical screenings (in
Rochester New York, New York City and LA) with scores of campus
screenings, community viewings and special events.These events have allowed us to generate media attention and in the last few days I have been on Tavis Smiley’s PBS TV show, Westwood l Radio, Bree Walkers’s Progressive Talk show, Pacifica’s Jon Wiener on KPFK and with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez on Democracy Now as well as with Bob Macintyre on his KNX CBS talk radio show which focuses on money. The film was also cited on CNN’s Paul Zahn and Credit card expert Bob Manning who advises the film has mentioned our campaign in many media appearances. We are also making our own media with two new viral videos up on YouTube and the StopTheSqueeze.org site. Please tell your friends about them. We also interviewed many of the people who came to the screenings and you can see what they had to say by clicking on the image above. More invites are coming and I hope as the issue of debt moves from the business page to the front page, IN DEBT WE TRUST will get more attention as well as our efforts to campaign on the issue. What is remarkable is that everywhere we go, people want to talk about the issue. They know how serious it is, and how easy it is to get behind and in a hold. After every screening and on many shows, the questions and comments pour in along with “topper stories” which point to even worse examples than the one I cite. The debt crisis has been allowed to deepen. But, now, at log last, some members of Congress and media commentators are speaking out. More importantly, ordinary people are coming to the plate. In Long Beach, we screened the film to an AME Zion Church. The parishioners loved it and the pastor is helping us with college and more church screenings. At most screenings, we invite local experts to have a say including lawyers who work on debt issues, academics and experts. The key to success is generating reaction and inspiring people to get involved. It’s happening and picking up momentum. We want to get the DVD out widely so more screenings can be organized. We need you help and engagement. You can write to me at dissector@mediachanel.org PS: Here’s a neat resource—The National Debt Clock
|
|
|
SPONSORED ARTICLE
suggest your own HOCUS POCUS, WHERE DID MY MONEY GO? How Credit Card Companies Have Legalized Theft, by Michael Chekian Why do rich people get cheap credit while you struggle and pay way more in late fees, interest, over the limit fees, transaction fees, etc.? Is this fair? According to the most recent statistics, America’s consumer debt hovers around $2 trillion. So if you owe money you are in good company. Credit card issuers try to “steal” accounts by offering low teaser rates. They like to target people with low incomes, high debt, the elderly, and those with credit card problems. They have sunk to new lows by offering pre-approved cards to consumers with credit limits they could not possibly afford, overextending credit lines to retirees and those newly emerged from bankruptcy. The ideal consumers for creditors are the ones who charge the maximum and make the minimum payment. More than $50 billion is paid in finance charges every year! Typically, the teaser rates start between 5.9%and 14.4%. After six months, they shoot up to 17%, 24%, 27%, and more! An initial 8.9% interest rate with a $2,000 balance would carry an annual finance charge of $178. That figure would almost double to $349 if the interest rate were 17.45%! Fight Back! Live like the rich: change your poor FICO credit score (in 500’s) to a great one (700’s)!:
Michael Chekian has been practicing law in California for 14 years. Mike represents consumers in bankruptcy, violations of debt collection laws, and real estate fraud. He can be reached for a free, courteous, no hassle consultation at (877) 243-5529, mike@cheklaw.com or www.cheklaw.com.
|
||
|
|
||
