The Black Card

Probably, at least two credit card offers a week, arrive in the mail.  I'm not a high roller, so they usually just go in File 13, but a recent one caught my eye.  It was an offer for a VISA Black Card.  The envelope was huge, and this just had a completely different style than anything I've received to date.  Of course, it was by "Limited Invitation."  Upon opening the envelope, "Luxury Without Limits" was the line in large print came into view.  This was just too much.

The card itself is made of stainless steel and carbon!  The card composition and construction is actually protected by a US patent.  A brochure that I'm sure was not cheaply designed or crafted contained all sorts of special amenities that come with this card.  Special travel privilege, upgraded accommodations, all sorts of perks were described in this several page brochure.  Stated simply, above the web address and phone number, on the back of the brochure was:  "The World Awaits."

With the possible exception of being Biblically translated, my traveling days are over.  Even knowing this fact, my curiosity was piqued.  What captivated my interest, was the expense invested in this so-called invitation.  Catalogues and printed material are a major expense in my business, so I'm somewhat aware of the cost of paper grades, and multi page, duplex printing.  Then I got to the interest rates.  Of course the introductory rate was 0%.  How long has the Federal Reserve had the interest rates at 0%, now?  Five years or something like that!  As soon as the introductory rate ends the interest rate skyrockets for purchases and looks like loan sharking for cash advances . . . The penalty APR was frightening, but that's not all!  Then, there was the fine print . . .

The grand opportunity for the appearance of opulence could be mine for the mere annual fee of $495.00!  And I could order extra cards for authorized users at $195.00 each.

When an economy is founded on marketing a product in which it's only value is to increase debt and offer the delusion of grandiose importance and is actually now selling credit, the economy has already collapsed.  Although it's presented to be breathing life into a recovering economy, discernment tells me, the black card is the over priced funeral to bury the already dead economy.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith . . .  New Testament.