Let Blaine be Blaine!

I have just read Mike Welch's column (CU Times, May 17) on Jim Blaine's letter writing crusade to persuade Dan Mica to provide anti-predatory lending leadership. Mike should let Blaine be Blaine! I have had the pleasure to hear Blaine's message on several occasions. His leadership and passion against risk based lending, indirect lending and now predatory mortgage lending should be applauded. Our industry needs his leadership and yes his passion in these areas because too few credit union CEOs and board members are listening. Too many credit union CEOs and board members are driven by ego and will ultimately cause this industry to be taxed and cease to exist as we know it today. Our members are already confused by the fact that we look and act so much like a bank. What will they think when we look like a finance company! Yes we may offer slightly better rates than the finance companies, but we will still look like a finance company. Personally I think finance companies would have a hard time getting their customers to write congress to block anti-predatory lending legislation. At least they did in North Carolina when under Blaine's co-leadership we were able to get legislation passed to make it harder for predatory lenders in our state to steal the equity from the working poor. So Mike, let Blaine be Blaine. While his credit union benefits from his intelligence, our industry (and Dan Mica) benefits from his wisdom and yes his passion! Sam Whitehurst President Winston-Salem City Employees' CU