JUNE 23, 2008 --

With credit card companies taking the place of the oppressive company stores of years past, here is an update on  lyrics to the tune of  "Sixteen Tons" --


Someone like me who is unemployed

healthwise is lucky still not overjoyed

With credit card interest at 30 percent

soon I won't be able to pay my rent

**

Thirty percent interest for goodness sakes

leaves me living on watered corn flakes

Why do legislatures permit the credit card squeeze

There's something about this that smacks of sleaze

**

Thirty percent interest is a gosh darn crime

Takes all your money over time

Putting you in a financial hole

With your hands around  an empty bowl

**

That's my story,  those are the facts

Someone like me can never relax

St. Peter don't you call me, the banks won't relent

charging me credit card interest at 30 percent

**

In the old days the oppressor was the company store

Perhaps  that kind of vulture ain't around anymore

Been replaced by banks that don't even blush

to paint their credit cards  with a thirty percent brush

**

Refrain:

You pay thirty percent interest on your credit card

You'll never stop paying and your rating's marred

St Peter please don't call me while I'm a financial wreck

I guess I'll have to give 'em  my social security check