Deep WDEL Thought

They should have a show in which Gary Mullinax (sp?) just does dramatic readings of celebrity chat board messages.  That would be awesome!

Day 23: Mike Castle’s Betrayal of Delaware

Today we commemorate the 23rd day of Congressman Mike Castle’s betrayal of Delaware when he did not vote for the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. He even got a second chance in February, but failed to vote for the people of Delaware, instead he chose to vote for the wingnuts of Delaware.

So we focus today’s post on Congressman Mike Castle’s reelection chances.

Are Banks Making Money Off Unemployment Benefits?

If there’s a justification for the biggest welfare queens in history subsidizing their losses on the backs of people their incompetence and greed helped place in the unemployment line I’m not seeing it.  Probably because it doesn’t exist! 

First, Arthur Santa-Maria called Bank of America to ask how to check the balance of his new unemployment benefits debit card. The bank charged him 50 cents.

He chose not to complain. That would have cost another 50 cents.

So he took out some of the money and then decided to pull out the rest. But that made two withdrawals on the same day, and that was $1.50.

For hundreds of thousands of workers losing their jobs during the recession, there’s a new twist to their financial pain: Even when they’re collecting unemployment benefits, they’re paying the bank just to get the money — or even to call customer service to complain about it.

Thirty states have struck such deals with banks that include Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp., JP Morgan Chase and US Bancorp, an Associated Press review of the agreements found. All the programs carry fees, and in several states the unemployed have no choice but to use the debit cards. Some banks even charge overdraft fees of up to $20 — even though they could decline charges for more than what’s on the card.

 

Is your blood boiling yet?  No?  Then keep reading.

Around the Horn Friday

Another week, another Delaware Blogosphere “crisis.” This time, Mike Matthews proclaims boldly that he is done with Delaware Liberal because I guess we were too critical of him, or mean. Oh the irony. He’ll be back. We are like the mob. Just when you thought you were out, we will pull you back in. Meanwhile, in an interesting turnaround from the events of last week, “John Feroce” and “FSP” are back commenting here… alot. See Matthews, it is impossible to resist us.

Now onto serious, or at least, non-meta posts from around the Delaware Blogosphere:

• Dana Garrett reports that states may stop executions to cut costs. That is an interesting side affect of the Great Depression II. Who knew that killing people cost more money than jailing them?

• Dana also discusses Governor Markell’s “Green is Gold” plan, and is somewhat critical:

But I am not sure I want a visionary heading up DNREC as much as I want a watchdog, a particularly tenacious and vigilant one. I want someone who focuses on cleaning up Delaware and keeping it safe, not someone also focused on growing its economy. I worry that a “green is gold” Secretary could find a conflict of roles between regulating polluters and looking out for Delaware’s bottom line.

I want both a watchdog on the old industries and a visionary for the new industries. I guess I am trusting that we can walk and chew gum at the same time.

• Redwater Lily gives us a recipe for homemade Artisan bread.

• Nancy Willing reports on DLC Tom Carper just missing being listed as one of the Senate’s Top 10 recipients of lobbyist and PAC money in 2006. He finished 11th. Darn. Better luck in 2012.

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) $164,490 Individuals, $48,193 Lobbyists, $212,683 PACs

QOD

What news do you not see here at the number one website for Delaware news and liberal opinion that you would like to?

Credit Where Credit is Due

Castle Introduces Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act of 2009 Landmark Bill Would Create National Patient Registry, Increase Public Awareness of Deadly Lung Disease WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition…