Instapundit–Champion of the Underdog
I don’t usually peruse the blogs of the other hemisphere, but today I’m glad I did. Otherwise I might have missed this extraordinary insight into the spleen one of America’s wackiest conservatives. Glenn Reynolds exhibits behavioral traits suspiciously close to human:
“BANKRUPTCY “REFORM:” I’m deeply skeptical of the bankruptcy bill in front of Congress now, and this report on credit-card industry practices goes a long way toward explaining why. Credit extended to people who can’t handle it, absurd hidden fees, high interest rates, etc.: There’s a lot of scamming here. The argument, of course, is that people who sign up for credit card accounts ought to know what they’re getting into. But shouldn’t the companies that extend credit to people who obviously can’t handle it be held to the same standard?”
His faithful reader responds:
“Amen to your concerns re. the bankruptcy bill. I have no sympathy for credit-card companies and other lenders, including the Federal Housing Authority, who offer easy credit to people who are better off without it and then whine when they default. They price, or can price, the bad debt risk into the interest rate. They are much better equipped to assess that risk than their borrowers are able to assess the risk of doing business with them. (Sorry if that sounds a bit maternalistic.)”
Heaven forfend one display a bit of maternalism! The siren song of femininity has beached more than one brave sailor on the ragged rocks of the nanny state! But that doesn’t dismay our hero one bit:
“I don’t think it does. As I say, people should have to face the consequences of their bad decisions — but that includes their bad lending decisions, especially when the lending is, fundamentally, dishonest.
I assume that the Bush Administration is supporting this legislation, but I really don’t see it as consistent with “compassionate conservatism.” I see it, in fact, as consistent with the worst stereotypes about corporate-friendly Republicanism.”
Well, so do I. And I wonder how that sorry state of affairs came about in the first place?
March 6th, 2005 at 4:04 pm
Wow, I agree with Glenn Reynolds about something. Who’d a thunk?
Heaven forfend one display a bit of maternalism! The siren song of femininity has beached more than one brave sailor on the ragged rocks of the nanny state!
Heh.
March 6th, 2005 at 5:33 pm
It must be semi-honest conservatism day or something.
March 7th, 2005 at 11:09 am
Glenn R. :: I assume that the Bush Administration is supporting this legislation, but I really don€™t see it as consistent with €œcompassionate conservatism.€ I see it, in fact, as consistent with the worst stereotypes about corporate-friendly Republicanism. ::
How weak is this “who knew” act? ::Consistent with the worst stereotypes?:: Living them out, more like it. Every single Republican Senator voted for this this gift to MNBA, their party’s biggest donor. Every single Republican Senator voted down every amendment to reduce the pain and unfairness of the bill.
Yes, Glenn, it’s safe to “assume” the Bush Administration is supporting it. When have he or his party they not acted in favor of their corporate base? Name one instance.