Blaine Deserves Our Applause, Not Criticisms

I want, and in fact must, take issue with the embarassingly “bank-friendly” letters which your March 24th and 31st issues ran. Who the hell are these credit union executives who “rail” against the truth? I noticed not one opinion from a credit union volunteer. All the paid executives apparently felt threatened by State Employee CU’s Jim Blaine’s “in-your-face” encounter with the banker’s Ken Fergeson. Who do they fear? What do they fear? Are they becoming too “politically correct”? Have they lost that “fire in the belly” attitude which helped us once against the people who would destroy credit unions if they could? I find it difficult to accept that these so-called leaders of our Movement could be so uninformed as to the daily attacks by the bankers in some very questionable methods, at best, and deceitful, lying attacks at the worst! I was personally involved in over eight years of efforts to have H.R. 1151 passed, and I resent any “bank accommodating” attitude on the part of credit union executives or volunteers. It’s inappropriate and potentially undermining for the challenges still ahead for those of us who really care about credit unions and their future. Could it be that some of these credit union executives might be toying with the notion of CONVERSION and don’t want to be associated with attacks on bankers and banks? Hmm? Finally, it’s obvious none of these men know Jim Blaine and his devilish sense of humor, and how he uses it to make obvious the obvious. And, contrary to the sentiments expressed by some of the letter writers, I believe Jim Blaine does represent most in the credit union movement who truly believe in the “Credit Union Difference”! He and I have disagreed in the past on some issues, but never on philosophy! And I personally take issue with Mr. Regoli’s “apology” to Mr. Fergeson. I view his gesture as misguided, at best, and betrayal at worst. What the hell was he thinking? Or was he thinking? Has he ever truly been in touch with the “bile” that the ABA, et al are spewing continuously? But enough said! It’s apparent that I applaud Jim Blaine and all he has done for credit unions over the years. We’d make a major mistake to view Jim’s attitude and presentation as inappropriate. To the contrary, we make a major mistake in attempting to be the “mild mannered credit union movement” that doesn’t want to risk offending the disingenuous, if not lying, banking industry! Just look at the number of banks that are going the Sub-Chapter S or LLC route to avoid taxation! And remember that it was “being nice” and not confronting the issues that the bankers were raising that made H.R. 1151 necessary. We can never go back, and we should never consider it! I’ll stand beside Jim Blaine in any fight that might ensue. He’s the type credit union executive and MEMBER who will make a difference when it counts. He already has! What we need is more “Patriots” in the Credit Union Movement!!!!! Clyde O. Padgett Director Truliant FCU Winston-Salem, NC