Credit card horror stories

I have never had any sort of real problem with any credit card company-however I have heard stories of the credit card companies holding payments. What I mean by holding payments is this: Say you get your bill on the 15th of the month and the entire bill comes to, lets say, 130 dollars. The balance is due on the 1st of the month. So you mail your check on the 16th of the month-plenty of time for the check to reach it's destination on or by the 1st. Lets say the credit card company gets your check on the 20th, and they decide to not cash the check until after the 1st of the month, and therefore they assess you a finance charge. What is to keep them from doing this? It is blatantly dishonest, I know, but I have heard of this happening to others. What is the proper recourse?

What am I Thankful for?

I am thankful that I live in the United States, where I can express my opinions freely and honestly. I am glad that others here have that right.I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table, a good, honest family, electricity, clean, safe cold and hot running water, a few dollars in the bank, common sense, my pup, my medicines, and God.

President -Elect

Look, I don't like Obama. Hell, I didn't vote for the guy. But he was elected by the people fair and square. When he takes office in January, I will show him the respect that the office deserves. I will NOT behave very poorly like a lot of the Democrats(and some Republicans) did(and still do) when President Bush took office. If I disagree with President Obama on something, I will voice that, if I agree with him on something, I will voice that, too. The President works for you and I. I don't like his positions, but I will give him a chance.I hope that you do as well.
By the by, did anyone happen to notice that the price of oil has dropped and the cost of gas has gone down?