I mean, he’s not technically in my britches. But the supposed Republican fiscal pit bull is trying to make sure I pay even more in credit card interest rates, and that takes money out of my debt-ridden pockets. Within a few hours today, I received two press releases on U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-These Parts). One pointed out what a fiscal butt-kicker he is:
Congressman Jeb Hensarling, the second highest ranking member of the House Budget Committee and author of the Family Budget Protection Act, was selected today as one of five top negotiators from the House of Representatives to work out final details on the federal budget.
That’s sweet, no? So, maybe I like the guy.
The next e-mail, though, pointed out that J-Hen is carrying water for the credit card industry:
Congressman Hensarling tried to gut the Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights yesterday by fighting for changes that would allow credit card companies to retroactively increase the interest rate on existing balances. As a result, Americans who are struggling to pay off their credit card bill could suddenly be charged more for purchases they already made. Congressman Hensarling said, “maybe, unfortunately, the local plant shut down and you’ve been laid off. Well that’s a job for the federal government to provide an adequate safety net. It’s not necessarily a job for the credit card company.”
I thought maybe I was missing something. Because that’s bad, right? So I sent the full details to Wick, one of J-Hen’s biggest supporters. Before I knew it, Wick was standing behind me (I may or may not have been checking my Twitter profile via Twanalyst.com), shaking his head. The only thing he said: “Effing Jeb Hensarling.”
