Unfettered Letters

How are the banks spending our money?

AIG just reported that they have lost $30 billion but, of course, they still have their fleet of corporate jets. What kind of deal is this?

The Associated Press recently asked 21 banks what they have done with the billions of dollars you and I have given to them. They refuse to say.

Is this crazy, or what? It certainly isn’t transparency. And my congressman, Dennis Moore, voted for this fraud. He needs to retire ASAP. No wonder Congress has only a 9 percent approval rating.

We continue to allow a group of private bankers to create our fiat paper money that has lost 60 percent of its value in the last 20 years. And they charge us interest to use this nearly-worthless money, which means they have made billions of dollars from us.

Why do we continue to reward failure and ignore the Constitution that says Congress is to create our money via gold and silver?

R.J. Brown
Leawood

Congress should back auto warranties

I expect a lot of people are reluctant to buy a new GM, Ford or Chrysler vehicle because they are concerned that the warranty will be wiped out if the car maker takes bankruptcy.

A government loan is only a short-term fix. Selling vehicles is the only long-term solution.

If Congress truly wants to save the U.S. auto industry, it needs to guarantee the warranties so buyers can safely invest in a new U.S. vehicle.

Mike Trier
Unionville, Mo.

Consumer spending got us into mess

We keep being told by the “experts” that the way out of the recession is consumer spending. Consumer spending is what got us in this mess in the first place.

For several years, personal credit card debt has increased, and now the average credit card debt per household is reaching the $ 9,000 vicinity. The mortgage fiasco wouldn’t have exploded if consumers had examined their personal finances and purchased a home within their needs and means.

So go ahead, consumers, and spend yourselves out of the recession. But before you use your past-due credit card for that iPod, Blackberry, big-screen TV or $200 concert tickets that you just can’t live without, bring that credit card balance down to a manageable amount.

Clyde Houghton
Shawnee

Careful when parking downtown

On a recent Friday evening, two friends and I parked in a surface parking lot at 15th and Grand to attend an event at the Midland Theatre. I had parked there before with no problems.

At the end of the night, our cars had all been towed. We saw signs indicating it was a private lot and that cars were towed at owners’ expense. We hadn’t noticed the signs earlier, because of fire trucks and commotion related to an emergency.

The tow companies told us that it was a $250 tow charge, cash only. They also told us that if our cars were not picked up that night, an additional charge of $300 or more would be added by the next day. We decided to retrieve our cars immediately.

We understand that lot owners have a legal right to tow. But those attending events downtown need to realize that these people are taking advantage of the resurgence of the area. They are obviously more interested in this money-making scheme than in your patronage. Our cars were towed half an hour after we parked, as were several others.

Also be advised: The city does not oversee towing practices or fees from private parking lots.

J.L. Robinson
Raytown

Check your fast-food orders

I’m all for hiring the younger generation for fast-food businesses, but the employers need to take a closer look at the kids they are hiring.

Recently, at a local fast-food restaurant, I gave a young girl a $20 bill and was given back the change for $10. I held out my hand to the window with the change given, expecting the remainder. She looked at me and said, “You did give me a ten, didn’t you?” Supposedly, after a till count of less than two minutes, I was told the bank was not off.

This is the first time I have been shorted money, but I’ve also been shorted on food in the past. Who wants to spend the gas to return for an order that should have been right the first time?

I’d be willing to bet I am not the only victim of drive-through omissions.

Linda Wiese
Grandview

Pause to think

At the library recently I picked up a list of 10 tips to use to avoid being caught in a scam. One of these said, “Don’t let anyone rush you into making a decision. Take your time to ask questions and gather information.” Now I see that the Bush Administration is saying we must act quickly to send some money (a whole lot) to some poor troubled people, or panic and ruin will beset us all.

Paul Nadig
Overland Park

Made in China? Buyer beware

Considering the problems with food manufactured in China (9/20, A-11, “Tainted milk crisis grow; Inspectors find liquid milk contaminated with melamine, which can cause kidney stones”), I think that all stores that sell any products made in China should either clearly mark these items or remove them from the shelves.

They have already killed or sickened thousands of our pets. Now it appears that they are poisoning their own children.

Ken Montgomery
Kansas City

Don’t fall for siding scam

I would like to warn everyone of a scam I fell for recently.

I was contacted by a person stating that there was a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the siding on my home. “Bill” came by the next day and showed me damage and that I could be included in the lawsuit. He had a company badge and paperwork and answered all my questions.

I was told I would have to pay an “admin fee” to join, which I did. I don’t trust easily, and I don’t throw money at anyone who knocks at my door. I was ignorant, but I wasn’t seeing dollar signs. The amount he said I may receive wouldn’t even cover the cost to repaint the house.

After not hearing back from anyone, I became suspicious. The phone number I was given is disconnected, and the check was cashed at my bank the day after I wrote it.

“Bill” was convincing, and I wanted to write this so nobody else falls for it.

And to “Bill”: You were good. You fooled me. Why don’t you use the talent you have to get a job instead of being a thief?

Dylan Borns
Grain Valley

Credit-card concerns

On May 5, I received a statement from a local department store saying that payment is due May 17. That’s 12 days from May 5.

Allowing three days for delivery of my payment, that leaves nine days for me to mail the payment.

Not too many years ago, a person was allowed 30 days to make a timely payment. Supposing I was out of town for a short vacation, how could I ever make a payment on time?

Is it possible that this creditor is trying to generate late-payment fees?

I notice other credit cards allow a period of up to 21 days for the recipient to respond.

Just how many days, from day of receipt to date of mailing, does a recipient have to get the payment off in the mail in time to avoid a late-payment fee?

John Woody
Gladstone

Watch out for lead

I bought a bird feeder about a month or so ago, and when I installed it I found out it has lead in the parts. The instructions said to wash hands after assembly, as it contained lead. These were made in China.

I informed the store where I bought it, but I noticed a week later the feeders were still on the shelf. I’m sure there are other stores that have these same bird feeders.

You wouldn’t know they contained lead unless you opened them up and read the instructions.

Francis B. Minx
Olathe