Market discipline for yo' butt

["Charles Brown" <CharlesB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Why is the conservative Detroit News newspaper doing a long series on poverty ? Have they suddenly gotten a social conscience ?  No, they have ruling class consciousness. They are letting the masses know that there is market discipline for you ; "if you don't jump to the bosses' whip, you too can join the poor, if you aren't already poor. And here they are in black and white and living color. So, don't join no unions , or you will end up like the Detroit newspaper workers, " as they might put it more explicitly.

Charles Brown

((((((((


Tuesday, August 21, 2001
 Donna Terek / The Detroit News

Poverty series


Groceries cost more for poor
Dearth of inner-city supermarkets limits choices
Part 2: Transportation a problem
Part 3: Food quality poor
Part 4: Less buying power


Supermarkets shun Detroit for lack of location
City officials pitch sites, tax incentives in new effort to lure much-needed grocers.
Where to call for help
Monday, August 20, 2001
 Donna Terek / The Detroit News
The Rev. Levi Williams and his wife Rita almost lost their home when they were persuaded to take out a second mortgage for $14,000 to put in new windows.


Lenders exploit poor's few assets
Elderly, minorities often targets
Part 2: Equity in home
Part 3: Many ways to lose


Poor victimized by high car loans
Complaints surge against firms getting high auto loan rates
Car loan tips


How to recognize predatory lending
Sunday, August 19, 2001
Families in poverty pay more to survive
Expensive groceries, credit sap resources
 Donna Terek / The Detroit News
Payday lending is a booming business across the country and is unregulated in Michigan. Borrowers sometimes pay as much as 900 percent interest.


Payday loans trap borrowers
High fees, interest snare disadvantaged in a vicious cycle
Part 2: High interest or fee?
Part 3: Uncertainty in Michigan
Part 4: Bill has critics
Part 5: Payday lending defended


How payday loans work


Less expensive alternatives


Tips for avoiding financial trouble


State considers some regulation
Sunday, March 25, 2001
 Photos By Donna Terek / The Detroit News
Lori Denton, 36, and her three children wound up at a homeless center when she was fired because unreliable transportation caused her to be late for work. Solving the transportation problem is integral to the success of welfare-to-work programs.


Off welfare, still broke
Although employed, poor lose out on economic boom and still struggle
No car, no bus means no job

2-hour ride strains mom
Mother of 6 faces long daily bus trip in attempt to get ahead
Finding a lift proves major hurdle
No transportation limits job choices for Novi mother
Working poor eke out living
Good times rolled by. Now what?
Donations of cars, van pools offer relief
Private sector could play key role in filling transportation gaps for the working poor