Nate, I have friends in consumer finance and used to follow the industry in my previous job. And you're right, it's a cesspool.
Of interest, the big issuers are thinking of swinging the pendulum all the way back now that the party's over. We'll likely soon see them starting to unilaterally close the accounts of customers under a certain credit score threshold in the name of cleaning up their loan portfolios. This will be a very nasty surprise for lots of people who have been living on credit, or counting on it as their cushion to get through the coming tough period, and an absolute kick in the nuts for consumer spending and the broader economy.
So if you think CC companies are unpopular now, just wait a while!