Up Next: Credit Card Socialism

Yes, it's everywhere.

"It will be a different business," said Edward L. Yingling, the chief executive of the American Bankers Association, which has been lobbying Congress for more lenient legislation on behalf of the nation's biggest banks. "Those that manage their credit well will in some degree subsidize those that have credit problems."

Oddly, but not entirely surprisingly, the Times helps spin this as a good thing, essentially accusing people who spend responsibly and carry little or no debt as the freeloaders.

"There will be one-size-fits-all pricing, and as a result, you'll see the industry will be more egalitarian in terms of its revenue base," said David Robertson, publisher of the Nilson Report, which tracks the credit card business.

People who routinely pay off their credit card balances have been enjoying the equivalent of a free ride, he said, because many have not had to pay an annual fee even as they collect points for air travel and other perks.

"Despite all the terrible things that have been said, you're making out like a bandit," he said. "That's a third of credit card customers, 50 million people who have gotten a great deal."

Yes, the nerve of those folks, meeting their fiscal obligations like that. Shameful.

Not-So-Hidden Agenda?

Maybe the guy is just... you know... genuinely concerned about the safety of our country. I know I am.

"Papa Joe" Obama?

This guy takes it one step further, but admit it... you've all been thinking it.

To hell with the Constitution, the rule of law, the integrity of contracts and any other written limitation on their power – they will do anything they can get away with. Which means that we are all at risk, and the only reason some of us haven't been targeted is that Obama simply hasn't turned his attention to that particular sector yet. But he will – it's only a matter of time.

Tell It

Read this whole thing.

Excellent.

We Go Way Back...

Arlen might need to adjust his campaign message:

Specter has been citing his seniority on the Appropriations Committee as he hits the campaign trail as a Democrat.

"My senior position on Appropriations has enabled me to bring a lot of jobs and a lot of federal funding to this state," Specter said at a town hall meeting on Monday.

Over and over, he made a point of telling an auditorium filled with medical faculty and staff about the hundreds of millions of dollars he delivered to the Keystone State, thanks to the power he's accumulated in his 29 years in the Senate.

"Pennsylvania has a big interest in my seniority, a big interest," he said.

A day later, the Senate stripped him of that seniority. The resolution, which set out committee assignments for the entire Senate, was approved on a unanimous voice vote.

Now... how do we spin juniority as a good thing?