From Dawn Smith, originally sent to MoveOn:

I'm at the end of my rope. What CIGNA is doing to me is — well, it's outrageous.

I have a brain tumor. Doctors are ready to help me. But CIGNA has been blocking me from getting testing and treatment for two years, while almost doubling my premiums.

Then, this week was the kicker. CIGNA's pharmacy called to say that the co-pay on the medicine that helps control my debilitating head pain is skyrocketing from $10 to $1,115. That's not a typo. They're making me pay one hundred times what I'm paying now, in addition to my $753/month premium.

I can't afford that. So when the pain comes, I won't have any defense. I'll spend hours in the fetal position, out of my mind with pain.

His is truly a rag-to-riches story. Ken Lewis, son of a single mother, started his banking career at the bottom of the ladder -- after paying his own way through college -- and worked his way up to become king of Charlotte. And, now, in the midst of investigations spurred by the biggest economic snafu since the Great Depression, The Ken is waving goodbye.

For those who've been calling for his head, do you feel better now?

I'm guessing The Ken feels better. Maybe now he can relax. Maybe now he won't need a smile coach. For years he's made lottery-size salaries, so now, perhaps, he can enjoy his own bank account and live life like a rock star ... or a hermit, whatever floats his uber-rich boat. (Just remember, The Ken, the best things in life are always free.)

Meanwhile, the investigations continue, so this isn't the last we've heard from, or about, The Ken.

For those who haven't seen it yet, you should check out PBS' "Frontline" episode called "Breaking the Bank." Here are a couple clips:

The rising star, the smile coach, giving the finger to New York:

After the Merrill Lynch deal:

Further reading: Banking's rule: If you're not an asset, you're go (Charlotte.com/ Tomlinson)

Judge Bill Belk ran for the bench because he was disgruntled with the judicial system after a sticky divorce. He even complained on the evening news about how crappy the process is and how it's set up to screw people.

His ultimate response to that perceived wrongdoing was to jump into politics and run against the judge that presided over his case. Ever since, of course, he has been in the news for his willful ways.

And, frankly, that's why this spoiled son of Charlotte is on trial, defending his actions to the N.C. Judicial Standards Committee.

Since he became judge (this past January), he's thumbed his nose at the judicial system repeatedly. Rules? Ethics? Manners? No, thank you. Not for him.

So, it's no surprise that, a day before his trial in Raleigh -- where he's charged with "willful misconduct" -- his attorney has thrown up his hands in frustration.

In entertaining news, Belk says he's now going to represent himself. Since Belk is scheduled to continue his testimony this morning, it remains to be seen who will question the judge or if he'll run back and forth from the floor to the witness stand.

If nothing else, today's performance should certainly top his last appearance where he arrived with a circus of "supporters" -- including his wife, Georgia.

In case all of the drama erased your memory, Belk is in hot water because he refuses to step down from the board of Sonic Automotive and because he's accused of bullying his chief judge, Lisa Bell, who pointed out that Belk may be guilty of soliciting money for his wife Georgia's campaign for Charlotte City Council when he shouldn't have been doing anything of the sort, given his elected office and all.

From MSNBC.com:

"They tried to portray me as someone that had conflicts. They tried to portray me as someone that would be scary. That, to me, is the opposite of who I really am," Belk said.

Meanwhile, Belk's attorney has quit the case, claiming he wasn't paid travel expenses.

Belk's response: "I paid my case in full. In fact, I've already paid twice as much to my attorney as we originally agreed. I have never received an invoice regarding his travel expenses. A lawyer should never do this to a client."

Belk says he will represent himself Wednesday before the Judicial Standards Commission.

From Charlotte.com:

Attorney Marshall Basinger, who represented Belk on the first day of his hearing before the N.C. Judicial Standards Commission, has asked to withdraw.

He says Belk not only hasn't paid him for all his work but hasn't paid the travel expenses that he and three clerks incurred traveling to Raleigh for the start of the hearing three weeks ago.

And in an e-mail to the commission, Basinger described the scene Monday afternoon when Belk arrived at his office just as Basinger prepared to step out to notarize his withdrawal request.

"In the few minutes I was gone," he wrote, "Judge Belk removed our 'box' that contains virtually all of our materials and files used in this hearing and did so without my knowledge nor the consent of anyone in my office."

Belk could not be reached. If he doesn't consent to Basinger's request, there will be a hearing by the Judicial Standards Commission on the lawyer's withdrawal this morning before the start of Belk's own hearing.

"We were told we would be paid and we weren't," Basinger said Tuesday. "To me that was pretty egregious."

In his motion to withdraw, Basinger cited the missed payments as the main reason for his request. But not the only one.

Belk, he wrote, "incredibly listens to the advice of various lay persons he references as 'the girls,' rather than his counsel's advice."

Basinger said it was apparently a reference to a group of Belk's mostly female supporters who accompanied him.

After the Sept. 10 hearing, Belk told the Observer he thought Basinger was "a little too laid back" during the hearing.

Said Basinger: "I better not touch that one."