Is God On Our Side?

Unite for Reaction!

It's a bit embarrassing and somewhat disheartening to watch CUNA in such a dither over the issue of taxation.  

But, our leading trade association is always best in "reactive mode". Reaction rather than action is CUNA's specialty; panicky over-reaction its' forte.  

If credit unions have not justified our tax status over recent years; then no amount of astro-turf e-mails, seemingly
desperate hill hikes, or frenzied "twits 'r tweets" will make a difference.  Are we who we claim to be? If so, no worries; if not, well....

But over the last few years, CUNA has perhaps "become the problem".  CUNA has consistently not "stood up" for consumers and the credit unions which those consumers own.

Woof !

Instead CUNA has repeatedly played the role of political "poodle" - lap dog to the for-profit financial institutional interests.  
If Congress is having doubts about "the credit union difference", perhaps it's because CUNA continually appears at the legislative table arm-in-arm with the banks. You are, after all, judged by the company you keep.

Could it be a different political reality for credit unions if CUNA had taken action on bankruptcy reform, predatory mortgage lending, re-establishing usury caps, bounce protection, or payday lending?

Want to see what a great difference action rather than reaction can make in the real world....

Archbishop Welby
Top Dog, Church of England

"Britain's booming payday lenders - seen by critics as "legal loan sharks" - have met an adversary in the form of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has promised to allow rival credit unions to set up on church property." 

"Archbishop Justin Welby, a former oil industry financial executive, has described payday lenders as "morally wrong" and compared the industry to Old Testament usurers.... and said the Church would put its money where its mouth is." - Financial Times, 7/26/2013.

Do U.S. credit unions enjoy such a reputation as the ethical alternative?

..if not..

Perhaps its time for CUNA to stand up or stand down.