Elizabeth Warren Interviewed By Bill Maher On Credit Card Legislation, Usury (VIDEO)

TARP watchdog Elizabeth Warren sat down for an interview with Bill Maher on last night's episode of "Real Time." One of the topics she and Maher discussed was the current credit card legislation and how usury has regained a place within our society. Warren stated that this is the reason we needed a credit card bill of rights, to prevent companies from arbitrarily raising interest rates and burying people in a mountain of debt. Maher took another angle, saying it proved that we really just don't treat each other very well.

Watch a clip of the interview below.

Comments

[neoconcriminals]

Hope she has some sort of security unit protecting her 24/7.
Our corporatacracy will not tolerate her for long—she speaks truth to power.

And that bill in Congress means NOTHING to those of us being gouged. But, our
representatives still think we're the dunces stupid enough to elect Bush.

[WritusMaximus]

She has no real power. Her job is only advisory in nature. Even Obama has turned a deaf ear to her advice.

[pfrogger]

yes, yes, we all love her. she's as wholesome as apple pie. and as honest.
if we're done with the obsequious praise, I will suggest a caveat.

has anyone noticed her almost sedative-like calm when discussing the TARP funds that have essentially disappeared. I'm all for clam and rational decision making, but when 350- billion tax payer dollars disappear, I'd be concerned. and yet she maintains the same demeanor throughout the interview. it's like she's talking about the most strategic way to mow the lawn, instead of billions of dollars having magically disappeared. we don't know what they did with it. we'll never know.

also please check Warren being interviewed by Stewart.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/elizabeth-warren-makes-jo_n_187635.html

cute, adorable, honest. yes. also clueless. does she know what's going on? does she even care? the same sedative-like attitude.

[DeAnnaClaudette]

She wasn't over that first 350 million that was sent out. What would you have her do? Become hysterical?

[petman2001]

If you want dramatics, check out Rush and Bill and Glenn. I'll settle for calm, rationale, factual speakers.

[pfrogger]

what facts?
I didn't hear any facts except the system is broken.

[HotheadPaisen]

Numbers geeks often exhibit flat affect and don't apear particularly excited by anything. How does her demenor make her 'clueless'? Especially in light of all she has said in many interviews, not just this one.
It's not like screaming "STOP THIEF!" garneshes any attention these days.

[pfrogger]

see the Stewart interview, she looks like a deer caught in headlights. she is clueless in that interview. nothing substantial was said except implying she doesn't know anything about the money.

[sonofsamphm1c]

If read her stuff, then you should know that the TARP funds have not disappeared.

[pragmaticdallasite]

Where you paying attention to the interview? That was the first $350 billion, of which she has no control. The 2nd $350 billion has not even all been spent and is being handled meticulously.

Paulson/Bush TARP is to Geithner/Obama TARP as day is to night.

[sonofsamphm1c]

She overseas all of the TARP program - every dollar.

The accounting for TARP is about as complete as accounting can get. Some people are demanding a miracle - the nonexistence of fungibility.

I would be nice if she would explain to the pitchforkers that farts have no serial numbers.

[MontereyDean]

Elizabeth Warren is one of the very few bright spots in this so-far thoroughly disappointing administration. (Yeah, I voted for the guy.)

[lornejl]

It's too early to be disappointed, look at the last 40 years. 012 is a long time from now.

[jazzycafe]

Way too early to be disappointed. Remember he inherited these enormous problems we face.

[pragmaticdallasite]

Exactly, I agree he should be much bolder to generalize his first 120 days as a disappointment would be to ignore the enormous positive legislation/policy steps that have taken place.

[WritusMaximus]

Since taking office Obama has more than doubled Bush's bet, increasing government spending that surpasses sum of budgets from Washington to Bush Jr. Obama will never own any role in this mess, so say the worshipers.

[Hawaii5-0]

Warren is a rare breed in DC, she hasn't been bought off by special interests and truly is there to represent the people. It's said that great minds encounter tremendous resistance from mediocre ones, or in this case, those who have sold out to special interests.

[somsoc]

Elizabeth Warren has a great concept of business morality and right and wrong, that is something the reputhugs have never had and will never have.

[mamacat]

Jim Cramer and the other clowns on CNBC should be pushing for rules and regulations to prevent usury, instead of banging their bells and whistles.

[Dolphinfan65]

In 1979;
The 401k, became the primary retirement tool.
And companies have been off loading there obligations every since.
In 1972;
Nixion gave birth to the HMO's as we know them today, and was recorded saying; I don't know how much good it will be for the consumer, but the companies are goner make a lot of money.
in 1981 or 2, Ma bell was broken up, and for a few years, consumers, made out. Now that most companies are owned by each other, and we are paying out the butt for it.
My point is, we can almost point to the day!!! theses CORPORATIONS, took control, of there piece of the pie in America, and we have been going down every since.
Cable,energy,The INTERNET, We through taxes paid for them all (INFRASTRUCTURE) and continue to pay for it.
I sick of it.
I believe in responsibility, for your own actions. but most of America has been lie to for so long, we can't tell the truth from the lies anymore, from our government. I say go on a PERSONAL STRIKE!!. Whatever you can deny yourself without hurting your family, you should do!!! Cable will be my first Victim, what will be yours?

[mamacat]

It was wonderful to see a high level government appointee being interviewed on TV. Reminds me of what the MSM should be doing, but isn't.

[jelow]

Elizabeth Warren should have a more prominent position in this administration.

[kgb999]

We'd be better off if they simply gave the position she holds some real authority.

[tuffymama]

I'd never seen Elizabeth Warren interviewed before, and I was enormously impressed with her.

She seemed to have a good moral conscience about our economic mess, came off as enormously knowledgable and intelligent, and had a cool sense of humor as well.

[lornejl]

She is good, a diamond in the rough. It is almost stunning the honesty.We aren't use to that.

[indc]

She is a voice of integrity and decency...­.. she is the hope Obama is not providing with the likes of Geithner, Summers, and Bernanke.

[obamanation31]

We need more like her. Government are you listening???

[paulalex]

Geithner, Summers, and Bernanke are the fall guys. As soon as the dust clears the real people like Warren will begin to emerge.

[pragmaticdallasite]

That would be nice.

ELIZABETH WARREN FOR TREASURY SECRETARY!!!!!!!!!

[Hawaii5-0]

Maher is another example of someone who sees the credit card companies charging usury rates. Puts Adam Davidson and Planet Money to shame. The principle is treating people in a fair decent way is more important than making enormous profits. That is what Davidson does NOT get.

[Lasnoe]

Hey, you don't we have our government wipe our asses too?

Think about it.... we won't have to wipe our own asses cuz a government employee will do it for us...... and since there are a lot of asses to be wiped.....­. we'll solve the unemployment problem too.....

Two birds with one stone..... now that's an efficient government!

[Lasnoe]

Why*

[qdog112]

Have another drink and shut up.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Lol..

[meemu]

Only the republicans get that treatment. And Big Business..­... but some people are just too dim to realize that.

[Cycadeoidea]

"Hey, you don't we have our government wipe our asses too?"

How about you come back after you've sat down and put that gray matter between your ears to work for a few minutes. Maybe then you'll post something that's worthy a thoughtful response.

BTW, if you don't use it, you lose it. ;-)

[Gary50]

There you go Lasnoe, your career path is now clear. You don't we have (sic) to be wasting your time (and ours) worrying about government intruding on our lives when there are so many butts and so little time.

[revhatchell]

cre.dit is sla.very and gr.eed is you.r m.aster.

[JaneK13]

Nobody forces people to run up credit -- nobody held a gun to their heads and forced therm to buy stuff they couldn't afford in the first place! If you don't have the money to buy something you want, don't buy it! That's what personal respoinsibility is all about.

[pragmaticdallasite]

That's the same argument the mafia uses

[Cycadeoidea]

Nobody forces people to drive cars -- nobody held a gun to their heads and forced therm to get behind the wheel of a vehicle they didn't fully understand in the first place! If you're not an auto mechanic, don't drive! That's what personal responsibility is all about.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Lol--"personal responsibility" is all about irresponsibility (in this case on the part of rich lenders). A lot of people are forced to run up credit because people have needs, and care about their families.

[Tommygun264]

Tell that to someone trying to pay a $70,000 hospital bill.

[FrankenPC]

That's not true. NON-use of lines of credit won't get you the FICO score necessary to buy good housing. The credit system is deeply embedded in your daily lives. FICO needs to be reformed.

[MTinMO]

Not only do the rules need to be changed for credit cards and other lenders, they need to change the rules for insurance companies that insure our vehicles. I hear people complain about uninsured drivers but I can tell you one thing that contributes to the number of uninsured is the fact that insurance companies base your rates on your credit report not your driving record. One truly has nothing to do with the other no matter how much they will manipulate numbers to try to "prove" it. Lets go back to your rates being based on what you do behind the wheel, not your bank account. I know a bunch of low income people who are very careful drivers because they can't afford to lose their car or pay deductibles and yet their rates are higher because of their bank accounts, or lack thereof. If insurance is to be a mandate, don't let insurance companies screw the people that have to buy it.

[meemu]

Exactly--I got insurance with a BIG company. I haven't gotten a ticket in over 20 years, did they check my driving record? Nope, I got a notice that my rate would be higher because of my credit though. I asked why--their answer was research shows people with low credit scores make more claims. Is that true? who knows. But I haven't made a claim on my insurance in 20 years either. So I should have an extremely LOW rate......­..

[pragmaticdallasite]

Welcome to the corporate oligarchy that is the USA in the 21st century