The New York Times editorial today But They Were Next in Line for Takeoff calls for swift passage of the "merciful" airline passenger rights legislation from Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). We agree. Previous blog. The Times also has a letter on The Misuse of Credit Reports from our colleague Bob Hunter of the Consumer Federation of America. Bob is the nation's leading authority on insurance matters (he is an actuary, and former Texas and federal insurance commissioner). Excerpt:

As jobs are lost and incomes fall because of lower prices, many people’s credit scores will deteriorate. Not only might they face prolonged joblessness because of a change in their credit score, but they may also face salt in the wound: raised insurance prices. It is time Congress barred the use of credit scores nationwide except in cases where its use makes sense, in the securing of credit.