Posted on 04/30/2010 4:44:25 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Its amazing to watch the civil libertarians hide when Democrats propose the most sweeping intrusions of privacy in generations. In addition to the litany of bad policies contained in the Dodd Financial Reform bill is this nugget on pages 1039-1040. In short, it extends government reach to every deposit account of every citizen.
Subtitle G of the Dodd discussion draft bill requires that records be maintained and reported for each branch, automated teller machine at which deposits are accepted, and other deposit taking service facility with respect to any financial institution, the financial institution shall maintain a record of the number and dollar amounts of deposit accounts of customers.
Whats worse, banks will be required to submit these records to the new super regulatory agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (page 1041). The CFPA will be allowed to use this information for any purpose as permitted by law under CFPA rulesrules set by CFPA themselves.
So, lets get this straightthe law requires banks to snoop on its customers MOST PERSONAL INFORMATION and submit it to another government agency so it can be used anyway the CFPA sees fit.
So, if the CFPA Czar sees fit, information about your deposit account activity could be shared with the IRS, immigration officials, state officials, or any other entity that the Administration and their various Czars think beneficial.
But CFPA will impact your life even before they give away your personal data. Remember that part of the excuse for including this authority is to make policy recommendations. So, be careful not to run your credit limit too high above the amount of money you are depositing in the bank or the CFPA will know you cant pay your bills and make the appropriate policy recommendations.
This is exactly why conservatives have fought so hard against things like national ID cardsif the government is authorized to collect and utilize data, there is no way to prevent the government as a whole or certain individuals within the government from using the information against the citizens.
But passage of the CFPA will settle the whole ID card thing once and for all. There will be no need for them because if you have a bank account, you already have a number and the CFPA will have it.
The breadth of sweeping new powers given to the federal government by these three pages is astonishing. Yet we have heard nary a peep about this provision.
After capitulation and surrender, Republicans will have a chance to amend the legislation when it comes to the floor of the Senate and protect the private details of your banking account.
But if they dont, smile the next time you go to the ATM because Big Brother will be watching.
There just are no words to describe the gang of thieves in DC.
Glen Beck has named them, “Crime, Inc.” Sounds right, doesn’t it?
Keep your bank account at the minimum amount, pay cash as much as possible, thats what I do.
Makes me very happy that I no longer have ANY bank ties in the USSA...None since 2005, including USSA credit/debit cards.
Um. WHY?
George Bush is spying on citizens and stomping all over the Constitution!!!!!!
Oh wait, that was them saying it.
I guess it’s ok if they spy on us and stomp all over the constitution.
If they take down Goldman, bambi, buffet and a bunch of others are going down with them.
This government is completely out of control. The chimps are running the zoo.
Problem with that is that cash is going the way of the dinosaurs too.
This ties in perfectly with what the 0bama commission is considering. I can’t remember what it’s called, but instead of a VAT you report your income, your bank reports your balances in checking and savings, and the difference is what you spent. Then you’re taxed on your spending calculation for the year.
My fundamental belief is that no matter what policies the socialists force institutions to implement in this country we can find a way around it. Many services we get we can either do without or find another way to get these services our privacy being invaded. The progressives/socialists will not give up until they realize that their is a limit to how much tax they can impose on us and how much intervention in our lives we are willing to take. It is up to the people to stop them them.
Well, the illegals and others who operated on a cash basis will have an advantage over the rest of us. Oh, wait. In many respects they already do...sarc/off
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