The 'Look-At-Me-And-What-I've-Got-Type
I've met a few snooty people in my days.
The ones who perceived themselves,
Better than others...
Because of a higher mortgage the had to pay.
Or the ones who bragged about their good credit.
And would announce the number of their credit cards,
To anyone for a quick display.
And those who were comfortable being who they are,
Always attracted my attention with admiration.
Those who were comfortable being who they are...
Were honest with themselves.
And to me this was a priceless possession.
People who talk about their stocks and bonds,
And investments they live on...
I don't fault them for what they believe is security.
People have their values and I respect that.
It is the ones self obsessed who appear to thrive best,
On masquerading their unhappiness....
With a projecting of pretentions the try to hide,
In a shallowness of emptiness.
The 'look-at-me-and-what-I've-got-type'.
You know...
The ones climbing down from their high horses,
Hoping not to be seen at night.
Since today the economy,
Has their mouths and lips shut firmly tight!
I've met a few snooty people in my days.
The ones who perceived themselves,
Better than others...
Because of a higher mortgage the had to pay.
Or the ones who bragged about their good credit.
And would announce the number of their credit cards,
To anyone for a quick display.
Well...
Those who were and 'still' comfortable being who they are,
Always attracted my attention with admiration.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Seminar
By a show of hands.
How many of you discovered,
You had increased difficulty...
Dealing with reality last year?
Excellent. Excellent.
The numbers are dwindling.
Now!
By a show of hands...
How many believed that having good credit,
Meant spending like there was no tomorrow?
I see!
We have some reluctant participants in the audience!
Did any of you think...
You were better off than those who could 'not' get credit?
AND bragged about the number of credit cards you had...
AND have maxed them to their limits?
Please...no crying!
Will someone pass tissue,
To those sobbing loudly in the back row!
I have a surprise for all of you!
Yes...
Please escort them in!
These people,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Are the very same people you had no problems laughing at...
Just 'months' ago!
See those smiles upon their faces?
Well...
In this seminar,
They are willing to prepare beans and franks.
AND lend you their can openers...
For one week to anyone of you,
Who agrees to clean their apartments.
By a show of hands...
How many wish to take them up on their offer?
Settle down. Settle down.
We will sign up as many of you as possible.
No need to rush them.
They have been known to be a patient group of people!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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My Question to Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke
When banks went bankrupt, to bail them out
The government gave them a cushy handout
When the rest of economy went to recession
The government tried to make a good impression
It printed trillions of fiat money
To rescue all friends of the Easter Bunny
To provide the necessary wherewithal
To spend its way out of the hole
The politicians were not aware
While they built the bridges that lead to nowhere
That money is also a finite resource
They had good intentions: for better or for worse
Inflation and taxes beyond any doubt
Caused my retirement fund wipe out
My finances were trapped, I couldn’t get any cash
When stocks and bonds have turned into trash
I was paying my mortgage & credit card debt
I spent money wisely, my expenses were capped
With banks in default, the dollar’s inflating
I still retain 5-star credit rating
Hey, Mr.Bernanke and Mr.Greenspan
Something is wrong with your genius plan
Would you, please, tell me, whose fault is that -
People are suffering and banksters are fat?
***
August 23,2009
poem by Slava Olchevski
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Social Insecurity
Strapped Seniors use credit cards ‘stead of cash
To stay afloat, after losing their stocks n’ bonds
Yet more victims of another Wall Street crash
“Let them eat cake” is what the Fed responds
ROTMS
From Reuters Article 10/23/2010
Retired and broke: Why retirees are declaring bankruptcy
For more and more seniors, retirement doesn’t mean a debt-free life of leisure. An increasing number of Americans aged 65 and older are declaring bankruptcy, according to a recent study by John Pottow, professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School.
Those aged 65 and older represented seven percent of bankruptcy filers in 2007, a mind-boggling jump from 1991. They are the “fastest-growing age demographic, ” according to Pottow’s study.
What’s the culprit for so much debt? Credit cards. Two-thirds of Americans who filed for bankruptcy said credit cards were the key reason for their financial problems, according to Pottow’s research. Besides having more credit card debt compared with younger bankruptcy filers,44.8 percent of those aged 65 and older also had more plastic in their wallets. “They’re using credit cards as a maladaptive coping mechanism, ” Pottow says.
Stephanie Osterland, a supervisor in the bankruptcy department at GreenPath debt solutions, sees an increasing number of seniors living beyond their means. Says Osterland: “They’re just trying to live off of a fixed income, and that’s usually Social Security. Maybe they have a small pension. We find they’ve used credit cards to supplement that income and expenses or they just end up getting into a lot of medical debt.”
In addition to escalating medical expenses, seniors have seen their portfolios hit hard by the lagging stock market. Carolyn Rodi of Saving Your American Dream says those considering bankruptcy should see a credit counselor at a non-profit organization to get their finances in order.
Credit counselors, such as those at GreenPath, help the elderly deal with a stressful situation. “We try to help them focus on what it’s going to look like” after they get out of debt, Osterland says.
Rodi also recommends that potential bankruptcy filers seek out pro-bono legal aid. “There are a lot of elderly people that are being taken advantage of by bankruptcy attorneys and mortgage brokers who are advising them improperly to pay for the bankruptcy, take out a reverse mortgage or to do things that aren’t in their best interest, ” she says. ”If you have no income, why should you borrow to pay someone when you can get free legal aid? ”
What are the chances of a senior paying off his or her debts? It’s difficult to determine, especially because seniors tend to be on a fixed income. And while finding a job — such as a WalMart greeter — seems like a viable option, it is not necessarily feasible for all seniors to work.
In addition, whether or not a person declares Chapter 7 (which involves the liquidation of one’s assets) or Chapter 13 (which allows debt restructuring) bankruptcy can be a significant factor in determining what one’s lifestyle will be. “If you have to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to find affordable housing that allows you to just get by, ” says Rodi. “Chapter 13 lets you keep your house and doesn’t touch your retirement savings.”
Regardless, filing for bankruptcy is very stressful for anyone. “A lot of our clients in that post-retirement age have a hard time coming to grips with their situation, ” Osterland says. “It’s very emotional for them. We try to focus on the future and see if this debt can be lifted off their shoulders.”
poem by Ray Lucero
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People Like You Just Don't Get It
People like you,
Just don't get it.
'Get what? '
Don't worry about it
If you had it you would know.
And...
Maybe you are right.
You once said,
The homeless and hungry...
Was a situation for those,
Who chose to be so.
You once said,
'There are jobs out there.
Those folks just don't want to work.
When 'I' was in that situation...
I walked down the road,
To ask my neighbor if I could pitch some hay...
To buy groceries and pay my 'mortgage'.
And my father and his father did the same thing.
Today...
People think they deserve more than that.'
People like you,
Just don't get it.
'Get what? '
Don't worry about it.
If you had it you would know.
And...
Maybe you are right.
Some people just bit off more than they could chew.
And if they had good credit like you...
None of them would be in the same predicament.
People like you,
Just don't get it.
'Get what? '
Don't worry about it.
What you don't know is intended.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The way the credit cards were made in the '80s to be a people's form of capitalism and be able to make it so that you could get a loan that you would have been denied previous, now that's the way stocks are.
quote by Jim Cramer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Home Loan Blues
Just a man, good and sometimes bad
But striving to do the best that I can
Help a hand when the one close by you falls
Understanding can do the rest and that aint all
Hope I can please you but the truth isnt easy to say
The more that youre spending the more itll get in your way
I say it to please you to forget what you have done, so pray
I got the blues from the debt of the people today
You can have it all but youve got to pay
You can have it all dont pay me today
Wotcha man as the bills around you grow
Providing you take a loan to pay for them all
Help a hand when the one close by you falls
Depending if the fool keeps spending it all
You can have it all but youve got to pay
(you can have it)
Credit cards, mortgage, home loans for your holiday
song performed by by Simply Red
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Now between '45 and '48, things would change enormously, 'cos we'd had credit in United States, credit from the Bank of America, credit from the Import-Export Bank and people had started working again.
quote by Gianni Agnelli
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Credit In The Straight World
And I will awake
Your highness- Im so high I cannot walk
And I will awake
You cripple, you take away my time, my peace, my empathy
No babies sleep on atrophy
Your unborn love and fetals dree
My bitter [ ] legless caress
Go for credit in the straight world
Look a dealer in the eye
Go for credit in the real world, wont you try?
I got some credit in the straight world
I lost a leg, I lost an eye
Go for credit in the real world you will die
Its the credit in the straight world
Leave your money when you die
Lots of credit in the straight world gets you high
I got some credit in the straight world
I lost a leg, I lost an eye
Go for credit in the real world, you will die
song performed by by Hole
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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For Wishes of Good Credit
For wishes of good credit...
Should be the least of one's concern.
Good credit against an admitted deficit,
Seems less meaningful and senseless...
If debts unpaid go uncollected.
And if one with good credit,
Is employed and fears.
How can one expect it to be kept good...
If the threat of joblessness,
Approaches.
And repossessions draw near!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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With A Demanding Of Credit To Be Given
There are those,
Who wish NOT to be given credit...
For those deeds they did not do.
Even though they may have provided,
The motivation.
And there are those,
Who wish to take credit...
For deeds they did not do.
And will make claims,
They were instrumental...
In getting those deeds done.
With a demanding of credit to be given,
To them!
Just for their association of knowing 'who'
Has perform those tasks.
With a customary delivery of much embellishment.
They wish to get,
What they so richly do not deserve.
An attention that is mentioned.
With a spotlighting done on their lack of skill.
And an absence of talent...
Believed is their right to steal.
And today...
These thieves seem to be everywhere.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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More Arrogant Than Necessary
Remember a few years ago,
When folks 'with' good credit...
Use to brag about the number of cards,
They had.
'I have all the major ones!
And you? '
None!
'None? Well...
I pride myself on maintaining good credit! '
I'm a true American.
Destined to have bad credit...
I guess!
And 'today' my bad credit prevented me,
From getting a credit card.
I did have one many years ago.
I never used it and was still stuck with a bill.
Charging me fees for 'non-use'.
Oh yes!
Now I've heard...
Not only have some folks experienced,
Tripled interests rates.
They are charged an additional fee...
IF less than two items are purchased in a single month.
AND...'if' the bank is not paid for those purchases,
Within thirty days...
That's another fee!
Years ago I frequented a store called Nellie's
On Canton Street in Hartford.
I was a kid.
Grown...
But a child nonetheless.
It was rare for me to have money.
But I ended up in Nellie's talking with her.
And she'd give me a lollipop.
I was a child using my charm to the max.
One day I licked on a lollipop...
And Ms Nellie said, 'Two for Five cents.'
'I ain't got no five cents, Ms Nellie! '
~That's your last lollipop! ~
Where are they?
What have we done to those teachers?
Who stuck by a decision to feed addicting greed to folks?
Especially to the ones who ain't got no cash.
Or none laying around in a bank.
If 'they' did 'they' would not be closing them!
I demanded my account closed years ago.
And took all of my twenty dollars out!
The manager had stated...
I was 'acting' more arrogant than necessary.
'Excuse me?
Close my account! Now.
And that will be in 'twenty' one dollar bills...
Thank you! '
They are using 'my' money?
And pushing 'me' around like that?
I...don't think so!
I'm glad I did that earlier.
The thought of standing in a line,
'Waiting' to see if my life's savings are safe...
I don't have the patience anymore to do!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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They're pushing credit cards. They don't take Visa, but they do take American Express, or they don't take this one, but they take that one, or you'd better bring this one, or if you forget who you are, look on your credit card; it will be there.
quote by Bill Janklow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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725
725
thats the score of my credit
damn, im so proud
avoidin the debt that so many have allowed
i cant get laxed and go beyond my means
that 7 2 5
let me tell you what it means
one of the few in my family
to finally get right
to not buy the benz and live in the projects
thats just not right
my 725 makes my jetta like a rover
oh my credit, it stands strong like a soldier
dont laugh at my happiness
or try to bring down my high
because im so caught up in my 725
now you may laugh and say
whats the big fuss
your only 21...soon that number will hit the dust
well to those naysayers
who laugh at my seven hundred plus
i may be 21....but i know about stocks, bonds, and trust
im an educated man
about to graduate with my BA with an MA on the way
the costs Im savin already
i worked hard and kept my champagne desires at bay
that 725 will stay with me forever
my desire and determination to let it be
to not let those videos and magazines deter me
keep the rims on the escalades
keep the spoilers on the beemer
cuz my 725 is on my side, its a keeper
so i hope you remember my favorite number
its 725
i keep my eyes on my credit
like a sex aholic lookin at a thick gurl's thighs
watch out world
cuz im focused, with my big eyes opened wide
hard earned save money
it all started with a 725
poem by Andre Bradford
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You Cannot Judge The Worth Of People
You cannot judge the worth of people of any Nation by their elite sports stars or by their football team
Though by many such things are seen as quite important and very good for National esteem
Sport is important though quite over-rated there's more to life than at sports being the best
Of the generosity of a Race of people that surely could not be seen as a test
You cannot judge the worth of any people by their ranking as a World Super-power
In my school going days I did not respect the school yard bully though out of fear before him I did cower
You do not respect those that you do fear as fear from respect is quite a different thing
'Tis only out of fear that you pretend to like them and out of fear their praises you will sing
You can judge the worth of anybody if towards aggression they are not inclined
If they are blessed with the gift of compassion and to others they are generous and kind
People like them are good and kind and decent they are a credit to humanity
I know a few of their type but not many these people the unsung heroes to me
It does not mean that you are a good person if you are a celebrity or great at football
So many of their type are quite flawed people lets face it they are human after all.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Like Mother Like Daughter
When I was a child had dollies and teddies
I played tea party and bookstore,
And followed mum around the shopping centre with my dolly in her pram
I had my pretend credit cards and they were the coolest thing ever.
Now the dolly in her pram has turned in to a real child,
And my pretend credit cards are real
I don’t play tea party but make dinner every night
And a bookstore is a place where I buy text books and parenting books,
Not comics and novels
Soon again it will be time for tea parties and teddies,
And going shopping with dolly in tow
But now it is my little girl who has grand dreams of being just like her mum
Of having credit cards and a daughter of her own.
But for now as I watch her sleep I pray she does not repeat my mistakes
poem by Kayla Lines
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In His Eyes! And Ours
Times then were lived,
Within our means.
We valued being clean.
Respected as expected.
This is what everyone did without neglect.
And embraced hygiene!
This was a fact of life known and seen!
Sold on concepts of a desire to learn.
Wanting to comprehend lessons taught...
That broadened our lives with a competitiveness.
With a fear of limits ignorance welcomed.
And we then wished no part of this.
We sought to grow.
And this assisted with an identity dignity presented.
Times then were lived within our means.
To deceive...
Was then thought to be despicable.
To cheat and lie about it,
Did not excite or sit well...
With those who suffered through the consequences,
Of their ways that dismayed.
Today...
People talk the 'walk' but do not walk the talk.
People say they have good intentions.
But leave no evidence of it seen.
Today...
People talk about their standards and values.
As if this is held in an exclusiveness.
And a membership is required for this to be addressed.
Today...
People are obsessed with their possessions.
Their good credit scores and loans they can obtain.
Because they have maintained status given,
Although they keep blemishes hidden...
That may reveal their tainted names.
And they cheat.
Lie.
And deceive!
With lifestyles lived well above their means.
And yet,
When suspected...
Nothing about them is respected.
Nor do the judgements they pass on others...
Keep tax collectors from locking them out,
From foreclosed homes they bragged about.
OR...
Do they 'today' have the means to feed, protect
Or shelter themselves,
In peace.
Times we lived then,
Were lived within our means.
And we were taught to be grateful.
To feel we were blessed.
And we should express this to God.
On a daily basis kept routined!
Like promises we made to ensure we had good hygiene.
And then God...
And only God,
Will make sure our lives lived were lived right!
In His eyes!
And ours.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Some People Just Want the Attention
You're too snooty,
For me to want your booty.
Scented fresh?
I could care less.
Your attitude is not perfumed!
And I quickly distanced myself from it...
When your presence filled the entire room.
You're too self assured!
And nothing is wrong with that.
But I can not imagine you,
Butt naked with me in the sack!
I am not that submissive.
Although I'm known to be attracted,
To domineering folks who trap.
Being hunted and captured...
With sweat pouring down my back.
Yes,
I'm prone to fantasize.
But reality snaps me away from that!
If you softened your eyes,
And licked your lips.
Sat quietly and portrayed...
There was 'something' in your life you missed.
If you spoke in a whisper instead of shouting in a bark...
And pretended I had 'command'
You could have me AND my heart!
But...
You just want to tease!
As if I am here to notice it.
You're too snooty,
For me to want your booty.
Even if you approached me...
I'd teach you a lesson or two!
'You!
Yes...
YOU!
When you are through...
I'm over here! '
Some people just want the attention,
All to themselves!
I thank God I'm not like that!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Until Again The Gloss Wears Off
Money motivators,
Chase it as if craved.
With only one thing on their minds...
How to keep sentimentally kept teasured clutter,
With an updated sameness.
That maintains a 'living within their means mentality'.
This affords them an opportunity,
To activate a rearrangement of a thought process...
That tolerates new complaints!
Until again the gloss wears off.
No matter what the hidden cost,
That comes to satisfy...
Within unchanged limitations.
And a credit score that is boasted about,
Among friends.
'I do not want 'anything'...
Absolutely nothing,
To affect my good credit rating.
I find it is advantageous,
However...
To only use any of my credit cards,
Only while out shopping to purchase bargains!
And I've got a houseful of those.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Drifting Away From Under Where They Sit
Plummeting from careers of positions,
Are those who jumped hastily.
On the backs of high horses.
So attached to the climbing,
There they were.
Focused and attracted to silver linings.
Blinding many by the bling.
And leaving behind as fast as they could,
Established relationships with friends.
And memories of those old neighborhoods.
The climbing for the bling,
And taste for expensive things.
For them that did this,
Felt so good.
And.
Liberating.
Moments of desperation suddenly came overnight.
A changing of insights began to weaken feelings of 'might'.
It was back then.
In the golden era of two thousand and ten,
A blazing Sunshine upon them began to dim.
As if someone had greased the backs,
Of those high horses drifting away from under where they sit.
How dare those visions split from them like this.
Many could not hold on.
Good times from dusk until dawn,
For many.
Were going to go to be forever gone.
With an unpaying of pretentions due.
And a pride of high credit scores.
Falling too?
And it seemed as if a quick grip on yesterday,
With a feeding of those dreams with wishes they would stay.
Upon demand.
Were slipping from grips to slide away,
From those clutches of now trembling.
Wet with sweat,
Manicured and shaking hands of those in deep regret.
And the cries of those trying to keep their hopes alive,
Are heard.
To reach the ears of those strolling upon the streets,
From the most extravagant of places.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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There Is No Hope
There is no hope in this war to save you,
For you gave no credit to my words and you lied to me! !
But the sword of war is now before you;
And like days of old when your people failed to understand the laws.
Now the war is seen ahead of you and,
You have nowhere to hide! !
And there is no hope to save you;
Because you failed to give credit to my words when we first met.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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