>I wonder when credit card CUSTOMERS who handle their credit carefully will DEMAND that companies take FAR MORE CARE in issuing cards so that interest rates and penalties can be brought down to sensible levels??????

Those of us who handle our credit cards carefully couldn't care less what the interest rates and penalties are because we never pay them. AFAIC, the only interpretation of handling credit cards carefully is paying the balance in full every month. A credit card should be a pay to avoid carrying cash and to protect yourself from scoundrel sellers, nothing more.

Tamar