There seems to be no end to spurious comparisons when it comes to payday loans ("Senseless comparison," Forum, April 20). All forms of credit are required to post an annual percentage rate so consumers can compare the rate at which interest is being charged. To argue that an APR on a two-week loan is unfair because it is based on an annual rate is as absurd as arguing that an APR shouldn't be used on a 30-year mortgage.

The issue is the amount of money you must pay for the loan term. Every court of law in the country that has heard the "unfair" APR arguments about payday lending has agreed: These loans are required to follow the rules of the federal Truth in Lending Act.

Payday loans are made at 10 times the rate (or more) our country once thought was usurious. To compare them to hotel rooms, bounced check fees, or any other nonloan product misses the point. A payday loan must be repaid in full at the end of a few weeks, or the interest charge to buy each new loan term must be repaid again and again and again ...

Laura Polacheck Director of advocacy, AARP Utah

Midvale