banking

On Imperfection, Or, How Do You Choose A New Bank?

October 3, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Like a lot of people these days, we have come to the conclusion that it’s time to change our lousy bank.

And it wasn’t even like we chose badly, either – we were customers of Washington Mutual for almost two decades, and we loved ‘em: they were nice people to deal with, they didn’t constantly hammer you every time you came in to the branch with desperate sales pitches, and they didn’t even charge you for using another bank’s cash machines.

It turns out, however, that all that beneficence came at a cost: WaMu made a lot of money making sketchy mortgage loans, and when it all came crashing down, we found ourselves customers of JPMorgan Chase, who we now hate with the fire of a thousand suns.

But it turns out choosing a new bank ain’t all that easy – and that’s where you come into today’s conversation.

"Pricele$$" A" MUST SEE" for those interested in campagin finance reform

September 25, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

See an exclusive FREE showing of the movie:

Pricele$$

Wauwatosa Library – Firefly Room

6:30 PM – Thurs. Oct. 6

How much does it cost to run for a U.S. Senate seat?  One million dollars?  Two?  Four?  Only if you want to lose. The cost of running for office has grown so large that only a tiny sliver of Americans can donate anything significant, or dream of running themselves.  America’s current electoral system forces elected representatives in both parties, to rely on special interests for their job security.  Large corporations in the oil industry, banking industry, agrichemical industry, and health insurance industry have more influence over our elected representatives than We the People.  Is it any wonder we are so unhappy with the policies they make?  PRICELE$$ is a one-hour documentary by Steve Cowan that diagnoses the problem, and introduces some possible solutions. There will be an opportunity to discuss the movie after the show.

Sponsored by the Coffee Party – Milwaukee NW