Kerry proposes ``pocketbook watchdog''

[Karmadillo]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/01/07/politics0417EST0462.DTL

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says his administration would include a "pocketbook watchdog" to protect the financial security of consumers and small-time investors.

In a speech to New Hampshire business leaders, Kerry says he would appoint a "director of personal economic security" to protect workers' pensions and retirement benefits, crack down on identity theft and ensure fair housing lending.

The appointee also would oversee efforts to enforce financial consumer protection laws, develop new ways to help people save money and promote programs to educate them about the financial world.

"This will be more than another box on a bureaucratic flow chart," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery Wednesday in Bedford. "I will appoint a powerful advocate whose job -- morning, noon and night -- will be to look out for the everyday investors who are too often exploited to benefit a powerful few."

The new position is part of Kerry's "workers' bill of rights" -- a collection of policy proposals designed to highlight his willingness to stand up to big corporations and defend working people. The package includes his earlier plans to expand health insurance coverage, enforce trade agreements, end corporate welfare and repeal President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

more...

[SahaleArm]

1. Kerry looks to be hitting his stride again...

America has become a spend-first pay later culture - Good luck changing that. Plastic and cheap money has created an artificial economic bounce so the cycle continues.

[flpoljunkie]

2. John Kerry is the one who will put an end to Bushco crony capitalism...

where greed reigns supreme.

John Kerry will fight for the public interest against the special interests. With Kerry at the helm, I would feel optimistic about the future survival of the planet and the middle class-a world made better for our children and grandchildren.

"Don't just send them a message. Send them a President." - John Kerry

[BJ]

7. Kerry's been in the Senate since '84.

There were Democratic Senate majorities in the 100th Congress to the 103rd ('87-'95) so why is his proposal on this "pocketbook watchdog", a "director of financial security" characterized as new?

I smell a "Pander Bear."

[Hep]

3. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!

And the money to fund this program will come from where again?

[Monte Carlo]

5. It'll come from the same place as everything else...

... the U.S. treasury. Of all the items in our federal budget, funding for a group of investment advisors to the President is peanuts. Let's not nickel and dime business expenses.

[Hep]

9. These are investment advisors to the president?

Oh, that's it, huh? I thought this was something meaningful, some organization to do all those things mentioned in the OP.

[Cheswick2.0]

4. "pocketbook watchdog"

can I get that for 19.95 with a Ginsu Knife thrown in?

[sandnsea]

6. Real plans to make a real change

That's why we need Kerry as President. He's been working towards these things his entire life and as President, he can finally set the agenda and bring the argument to America and get this stuff done.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Issue and vision rich Kerry at it again

yawn. He's so boringly competent and substantive. No wonder he can't attract any buzz.
Our best man being is passed over by the Britney loving public.