Rep. John Conyers: Public Policy and Katrina

[paineinthearse]

Blogged by JC on 09.01.05 @ 04:38 PM ET

Public Policy and Katrina
Bankruptcy Law and Price Gouging

I just wrote a longer piece on Dailykos
about a bill I am introducing and an investigation I am requesting.

Take a look.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/1/16949/34148

Public Policy and Katrina
by Congressman John Conyers
Thu Sep 1st, 2005 at 13:09:49 PDT

In the midst of writing this, I noticed the proprietors of this blog beat me to the punch, on my own bill, no less. I hope this further explanation is helpful about the bankruptcy bill I will introduce tomorrow and about an FTC investigation I am requesting.

The devastation along the Gulf Coast caused by Katrina and the ripple effects throughout the entire nation are tragic beyond description. What we are witnessing in Louisiana and Mississippi is the truism that when disaster strikes, the gap between rich and poor becomes a chasm.

In today's lagging economy, far too many hardworking Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, just barely getting by. In that tenuous financial condition, many families are only one tragedy away from being devastated by debt. Many of the families who have now lost their homes, livelihoods, and personal possessions will soon be contacted by credit collection agencies demanding the next minimum payment on a credit card.

Unfortunately, the bankruptcy bill recently passed by Congress makes matters far worse for these families. Before the new bankruptcy law was passed, the law recognized that almost all -- if not all -- of these families are hopelessly in debt and that no useful purpose is served by forcing them to remain at the mercy of the credit card companies. Indeed, our society is better served by giving them a fresh start. To prevent this, before the new bankruptcy law was passed, these families could wipe out their debts in bankruptcy and get a fresh start. Under the new law, these families would be subject to a rigid and unjust means test that would arbitrarily deny many the relief they deserve.

more......

[texpatriot2004]

1. Thank you Mr. John Conyers you're an honest, decent man and

you care about the people you serve. Thank you for your integrity and your courage.

[classysassy]

3. Oh my

woudn't it be wonderful if our president had those qualities.?

[Maggie_May]

2. Thank you Mr. Conyers

I know that we can always count on you.

[Karenina]

4. Kick!

:kick: