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Payday lenders are generous to Shurtleff

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Utah | 12:57 a.m. May 7, 2008

Isn't it great that they can spend the money on themselves. What a great political state.

Anonymous | 1:37 a.m. May 7, 2008

*** "Shurtleff, 50, is a conservative GOP attorney general who at times angered core Republicans over his more liberal stands, like including gays in hate crimes laws and opposing Amendment 3, which banned same-sex marriages in Utah. [And for his support for illegal immigration]" ***

In other words he angers conservatives because he's not conservative, although he pretends to be. Can't imagine why that would make anyone mad.

*** "Shurtleff raised $38,400 from payday loan owners this year, about $1 of every $4 given to him..." ***

Let business make exhorbitant profits by charging obscene interest rates and by employing cheap illegal labor - no matter the effect on society, no matter the effect on families.

*** "The attorney general has also received a $50,000 donation from IWorks [which]...donated a house for "Lost Boys," an outreach program that Shurtleff supports for young men who leave polygamous families." ***

No, they don't "leave" their families. They get kicked out, for capital sins like leaving the toilet seat up and listening to rock music. They get kicked out because they're sexual competition.

Anonymous | 2:07 a.m. May 7, 2008

Mark Shurtleff doesn't represent me or my views. Let's hope he loses to someone who more closely represents Utah.

Comments continue below

Ronald A. Young | 4:23 a.m. May 7, 2008

Conservative Not He Be. White guy speaks with forked tongue. I became a Physical Conservative over time and still am not a total social conservative and never want to be. I will join you on Abortion but not on the Right To Die. You cannot be a Conservative and not embrace the Values. You can be Conservative leaning but if you claim to be Conservative but you have No Game. Like a Jack Mormon. I never did like the Payday Loan Companies, I live in Hawaii and we have a lot of Military and that can become an I want it now addiction. The end game is that your entire paycheck and sometimes beyond can go to pay back the loans. However responsible controlled the Payday Loan Companies can be useful. Your Broken Car does not get fixed without you having the money to pay for it. Not even towed. In Hawaii you pay for your Dry Cleaning when you put it in,(a great idea long overdue). Also shipping out or deployment costs money. Like Guns its not the Guns but the people that use them. However they must be strictly regulated. I want to see them Off Limits.

Ace Ventura | 5:37 a.m. May 7, 2008

Calling Mark Shurtleff conservative besmirches the term. Interesting that the DN would throw that label around so cavalierly. Those of us who pay attention have NOT forgotten Mr. Shurtleff's not-so-slight deviations from our state's predominate family values. Why the state GOP continues to support him mystifies me. We need someone with a true moral compass and serious legal credentials to take him on.

liberal larry | 6:14 a.m. May 7, 2008

Great article, isn't the attorney general supposed to be the moral leader of the state. It's pretty sad when this "leader" gets campaign money from loan sharks, and takes corporate paid, tropical island, junkets. Shurtleff should be the poster boy for government ethics reform.

orion | 6:31 a.m. May 7, 2008

Is there a public servant, voted in by the people of Utah, who has the inner integrity to serve in the interests of the common people?

Who are they? I would like to know. Who does not have the appearance of being bought?

Statutory Rapacious | 7:30 a.m. May 7, 2008

I don't care which side of the political aisle you are on, this is criminal. These blood-sucking predators are criminals. Anyone taking money from them is a criminal and a moral coward.

Sure, it is legal but is it ethical? This is blood money.

CITIZEN | 7:31 a.m. May 7, 2008

The TOP COP in the whole state taking money from loan sharking thieves;NOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!

Deer Valley Resident | 7:36 a.m. May 7, 2008

Shurtleff gets HUGE donations from payday lenders because they cater to illegal aliens.

Shurtleff is a disgrace to Utah!

WANTED: New A.G.

dirt bags | 7:42 a.m. May 7, 2008

I'm not a republican, but I have absolutely no respect for anyone who takes money from those payday lending loan shark dirt bags including Shurtleff any many of our fine GOP state legislators as well as the Salt Lake County Republican Party Chairman James Evans who owns several such establishments. Personally, I just don't understand why republicans who profess to be the "religious" party would support an industry that so blatantly abuses the poor by ensnaring them into endless debt traps and depriving them of what little money they have to make ends meet. We need usury laws back in Utah.

Chief | 7:48 a.m. May 7, 2008

The boundaries of moral leadership only extends as far as the campaign pocketbook.

Anonymous | 8:10 a.m. May 7, 2008

Don't we have some obligation to take care of the weak and the feeble; the downtrodden and the forgotten?

If there is one undisputed role an all-intrusive government should play it is to protect the powerless from the predators.

Pay Day Lenders | 8:12 a.m. May 7, 2008

Now here is another reason for the high level of financial problems such as bankruptcies. Most states have laws that regulate Pay Day Loan interest rates to protect consumers---Not Utah.

Once someone starts using a Pay Day Lender---it is almost impossible to stop. They have to borrow more money to pay the high interest rates on the earlier loans. Eventually, they can not pay what is owed.

The interest rates they charge should be regulated to protect consumers from getting in over their head in debt.

Can't wait . . . | 8:26 a.m. May 7, 2008

. . . for a chance to vote against this "conservative" haha

I'm tingling all over at the prospect!

Levitra-less Leaders | 8:29 a.m. May 7, 2008

This is not a problem peculiar to Utah. Legislatures all across the land have suddenly become impotent when it comes to passing legislation to restrict these voracious vultures.

So sad, the Ethically Deficient cannot find the constitutional wherewithall to Choose The Right.

Phil | 8:38 a.m. May 7, 2008

Shurtleff and pay day loan companies have the same non symbiotic relationship with society. Nothing new here.

frustrated | 9:02 a.m. May 7, 2008

Ethics in this state is a joke. People with money rule, no matter how the got it. Just look at Orrin Hatch's backing of loose rules regarding multilevel marketers.

Gotti-licious | 9:31 a.m. May 7, 2008

This may not be the time to bring up term limits but for people accepting money from loan sharks, shouldn't the number be zero? Or 5 to life?

The Emperor Has No Shirt | 9:41 a.m. May 7, 2008

Who is Shirt Less's PR guy? He should be taken for a one-way ride to Wendover. First the Reid/Polygamist debacle, now this. Does the AG know Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds or Eliot Spitzer?

Gold Rush | 9:47 a.m. May 7, 2008

Shouldn't it be Paydirt Lenders? The Motherlode!! What a rich and limitless vein to mine, especially if you hold no moral compunction.

Mental Health Worker | 10:18 a.m. May 7, 2008

Payday loans are destroying people lives in Utah daily. I work with the mentally ill. Payday loans prey on these people and many other at risk populations in Utah. I would guess most of the money collected by payday loans comes from social security disability checks. Good thing you pay your taxes. If only the loan sharks of the past would have been smart enough to pay off the attorney general. Is anything legal if you pay Marks fee???

re:gee new yorker | 10:28 a.m. May 7, 2008

the question was what is a physical conservative based on a previous comment. maybe you should read before you comment.

Capitalist | 10:50 a.m. May 7, 2008

All you anti-capitalists go look into the fees at your local bank for overdrafting, bounced checks, or late fees. Banks call them "Fees." Payday Lenders call it interest. If you compare the two, they are almost identical and in a lot of cases the banks charge more "fees"/interest than the Payday Lenders!!! That is why banks end up lobbying for these Payday Lenders. They don't want to be scrutinized as well. Payday Lenders offer a service that people use. Not one of you useless critics has come up with a better idea to still make a profit and give super super risky loans to people who need cash desperately. So quit whining and go start a Payday Lending company that charges 30% and you'll be out of business in two hours because of all the defaults. But it's a lot easier to be a critc.

Coming Up Short | 10:55 a.m. May 7, 2008

Mr. Short: The same might be said of pimps, prostitutes, and drug pushers. Should we not be concerned because they are just "filling a need in the marketplace"?

magnus | 11:05 a.m. May 7, 2008

I think we should be angry with lenders.

I consider myself conservative and used to consider myself a republican but there is one thing that has recently started to drive me away.

I find it hypocritical and cowardly that people looking to make money (like many Pay day and Sub-Prime lenders for example) INTENTIONALLY and KNOWINGLY prey on the desperate and ignorant people. They use subtle deception and fine print to sell people loans the way a Jalopy salesman sells used cars. And then when someone steps up and exposes them they hide behind this "it's not our fault, you should have known better".

Then I hear my republican representatives saying, "you know we need to deregulate this, lets make it easier for these poeple to do what they do. Even better, lets remove the restrictions on how much they can do it with and when they get into trouble because people can't pay, lets have the fed and foreign investors bail them out. FREE MONEY FOR EVERYBODY!!!"

Maybe I don't really understand what's going on here but it sounds like insanity to me.

Steve | 11:12 a.m. May 7, 2008

I'm not really sure what the problem is here. I don't agree with the 'fairness' of the interest rates charged by payday loan companies, but I have found them useful myself in the past. It's no worse than the Federal Government spending billions on cost-plus contracts in IRAQ. But in this gentleman's case, he's spending the money on philanthropic ventures, bettering his own political image, and circulating funds within his party. If you ask me, he's behaving just like 'any' not for profit venture. And he's, in many respects, seemingly bi-partisan (and not afraid to be so) on many hot topic issues. Until someone finds him succumbing to nefarious lobbying, or actually selling his soul for the funds (which really is his own business too LOL), I think we should really be commending him for his good work and adherance to legal policy. ...and this from a person who believes in rather strict campaign finance laws (me). I just don't read anything objectionable here...nothing at all.

I'll Gladly Pay You Tuesday | 11:20 a.m. May 7, 2008

Dear Capitalist:

All of the "fees" you sited are punitive assessments designed to help all customers keep their books in order. Far different than the carniverous usery inflicted upon the desperate.

The Pay Day reptiles should be delegitimized and forced to ply their trade in the back alleys, railroad tracks, and darkened saloons where they belong.

Short Shrift | 11:29 a.m. May 7, 2008

That's the point: These people are of the same ilk, so should predatory lending be illegal.

Anonymous | 11:46 a.m. May 7, 2008

Almost every candidate for office-especially a state wide office-needs to accept donations. If they didn't then only the super wealthy could afford to run. We shouldn't be concerned that Shurtleff accepted money from perfectly legal businessed, but rather that so many readers are mislead by Bob Bernick's daily smear articles. Bob: why is it that every article you write has such a consiracy theory tone? If you are so critical of Huntsman, Shurtleff, Walker and every other politician's fund raising, what do you propose they do???? Readers: don't be mislead by Bernick!!!

GUARDIAN | 11:49 a.m. May 7, 2008

AND WHO PAYS PAUL MURPHY HIS SIDEKICK AND PUBLICIST. THIS IS THE SAME GUY THAT DECLARED AT A USANA CONVENTION THE STATE SHOULD BE CALLED UTSANA BECAUSE OF THE WEALTH BROUGHT TO THE STATE.

Casual Observer | 11:53 a.m. May 7, 2008

With all due respect, do these payday loan companies FORCE anyone to come into their doors and take out these loans? The terms are clearly written out, and they tell you exactly how much you will have to pay back and when it's due. I have used them on occasion, but only for a couple of days because paying $4 or so for a $100 loan for 3-4 days was much cheaper than paying the bank overdraft fees. No one gets excited over the exorbitant fees banks are allowed to charge for NSF/OD fees on a regular basis, which are much, much higher. If you have a check for $5 and you're even 10 cents short (for 5 minutes or less before your deposit goes through), the banks will charge you anywhere from $18 to $35 to run that one check through. Plus, banks will routinely run the higher checks through first so you will be overdrawn and then they can charge an OD/NSF fee on several smaller checks (even though all the checks may have hit the bank at the same time). That's what I consider robbery, but no one seems to get excited over that!

Anonymous | 11:53 a.m. May 7, 2008

The one great thing about the position of attorney general is this: we've actually had a Democrat in that position in recent memory - Jan Graham, from 1993-2001.

I'd rather have a Republican AG - but only one who behaves like a conservative. Otherwise why bother?

Shurtleff is running for a third term as AG because he's biding his time til Huntsman steps down, because then he wants to run for governor. Finish him off at the polls this year and we won't have to bother in 4.

Sam | 12:11 p.m. May 7, 2008

This article really says only one thing .... that we have a very corrupt political system. Anytime MONEY is the underlying thing that makes a person worthy of being put on or taken off the ballot, we as a society, are in a very sad, sick state.

Mom of Six | 12:24 p.m. May 7, 2008

I thought I was a Republican, but once again Mr. Shurtleff isn't representing my values. It sounds like he'll support the cause of the highest bidder. What's next Mark? Casinos? Are you going to tell us that people have the right to gamble? Our Attorney Genaral obviously has never had the horrors of the trap that these "Quick Loan" places put people in. My parents were trapped by these establishments and had to have major help to get out. Mark you are out of touch with the values of the people of Utah.

He gives money to Bramble? | 12:31 p.m. May 7, 2008

Why is the AG permitted to donate to Bramble's campaign? How can it be legal for a sitting AG to donate to someone running for the Legislature? This appears to be a direct violation of separation of powers.

Thanks to the authors of this article for connecting the dots on these issues: it's public information but not many of us have the time to track it down.

registered voter | 1:07 p.m. May 7, 2008

Mark Shurtleff should be ashamed. He will not get my vote again.

Let me get this right | 1:12 p.m. May 7, 2008

The legislature said it is wrong for teachers to take gifts because of the influence...but it is ok for these people with more influence ... Yeah that is why I am a teacher and not a lawyer I have more ethics, oh no deriding you honorable Attorney General

Rich | 1:23 p.m. May 7, 2008

Why doesn't the FLDS donate campaign money to Shurtleff? Then he wouldn't be anxious to enforce the law against polygamy and would only enforce the more egregious violations, such as child abuse. Wait! Shurtleff already has assured the FLDS that he will look the other way on plural marriage. No need to donate. Or maybe they do already.

Cynthia | 2:15 p.m. May 7, 2008

Mark Shurtleff is a good man! I'm no fan of payday lenders, but if what they do isn't against the law, don't blame Mark. Blame your legislature and go climb on them about it. Mark has an excellent record and has shown good judgment in many cases. (Probably wasn't too smart to take this money, but now he knows that.) He isn't just a Republican; he's a thinking Republican with a great heart. Perhaps that will get him in trouble here in our great state. But no, I don't think so. There are plenty like him. They just don't write on these blogs. They're actually out doing something. I guess that's why you and I are here.

Deanna | 2:15 p.m. May 7, 2008

Are you kidding me? Immoral to take payday loans away from the poor! It is immoral to allow them! Please do not vote for this man!

Informed | 2:53 p.m. May 7, 2008

I'm sure Mr. Shurtleff understands that there are plenty of voters who will find some reason to rip him, just as Bernick and Davidson do. I suggest everyone get informed. Payday loans are capped at 12 weeks of interest by the legislature. So the APR is misleading to the negative. The effective rate of these loans is therefore one-fourth of the published APR and according to a newly published university study, payday fees are actually much less on an APR basis than bounced check fees or their cousin, check protection fees charged by other institutions. Payday has a bad name, but Mark has taken the time to understand that it's a useful tool, it's highly regulated (i.e., the 12 week cap) and it saves people money. There is also a lot of competition, so rates go down to the lowest profitable level, or else, God Bless America, someone would start a business offering lower rates. I'm glad most people give Mark and lawmakers a little credit for understanding and getting informed before categorically wiping out a segment of credit that tides people over in an emergency. Tellingly, most people critical of payday have enough savings not to need it.

Ms. Informed | 2:59 p.m. May 7, 2008

Don't be confusing people with the facts it will only muddy the waters of emotionalism.

Wednesday's Child | 3:02 p.m. May 7, 2008

I love all of the people here griping about Shurtleff supporting the Republican ideals of free enterprise and business. For those RINOs (Republicans in Name Only)who don't remember what Republican are, they also support business and free-enterprise. And you thought Republicans only believed in "family values"

Nothing like the D-news comment board to bring out the closet liberals led by their leaders Lee Davidson and Bob Bernick.

Check my math.... | 3:04 p.m. May 7, 2008

If Mark Walker has $46,605 in total campaign funds, and $40,355 came from his old legislature campaign account, and Mark Shurtleff gave $5,000 to Walker's campaign for state treasurer, does that mean Walker has only raised a total of $1,250 from anyone not named "Shurtleff" for his treasurer campaign?

It would be nice to know how the other candidates did, although it appears this article is all about the payday lenders...

Casual Observer | 3:32 p.m. May 7, 2008

Dear Mom of Six -

Truth be told your parents weren't "trapped" by these establishments. They only "had to have major help to get out" because they failed to pay off the initial loan when it became due or went to another payday loan place to try to "rob Peter to pay Paul". If you use them responsibly, for what they were intended, as a "payday loan", i.e., pay it off completely on your payday and not get in another bind, they can work quite well. I'm not trying to be critical of your parents, just stating that the reason people get trapped in these things is because they don't use them for a short-term, one-shot deal occasionally, only in an emergency. Instead, people drift from one payday loan to another and end up owing huge amounts trying to pay one and then another. That's how they get in trouble, and you can't blame the company for that, only the individuals involved for continuing to borrow and/or not paying the loan off in full when it's due. I am a single mother and had to pay a mortgage and rent, and if I can do it, anyone can.

Incumbunts need to be cast | 6:53 p.m. May 7, 2008

He has been living on the people 8 years
It is time for him to learn about standing on his own 2 feet
Fire this bum

bob | 7:12 p.m. May 7, 2008

These pay day loan companies are so immoral that one of our local leaders, a banker, who exposed as an owner of one of the national companies, soon dropped their ownership. The bank got out of the business. People were torqued off that one of our leaders, an esteemed leader, was up to his neck in ripping people off. He felt the heat. He knew the sin.

If you have a politician taking money from these people, you have a shameless human. To think that he is Mormon, where is the outrage????

slow bob | 10:35 p.m. May 7, 2008

Why is payday lending immoral? Because it provides small loans to people who have been rejected by banks, credit unions, and other lenders. The morality question should be shot back at you. Are you willing to open your pocketbook and lend $500 to a complete stranger for a couple of weeks? And if so what would you charge them, 10% APR? By my math that is about a dollar for a very risky loan. I know I wouldn't lend a stranger that money.

According to your own flawed logic, you are shameless because unless you are the AG's bishop you should not be passing religious judgement on him. Right?

Poor reporting, once Again! | 10:41 p.m. May 7, 2008

Wait, the majority of the Attorney General's donations came from others outside the payday loan field. Why is it that they are not mentioned in the headline? This is a cheap shot at Shurtleff for dealing with an unpopular industry.

By reading the comments here it appears Bernick and Davidson have pulled the wool over the majority the "sheeples" eyes. This is nothing more than a smear job on Shurtleff.

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