email from Stephanie Herseth on Bankruptcy Bill

[sarahlee]

April 1, 2005

<snip>


Dear <snip>:

Thank you for contacting me to share your concerns with the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

Nationally, personal bankruptcy filings have skyrocketed in recent years. Estimates show that personal bankruptcy rates increased 400% over the last twenty years. The proliferation of bankruptcy filings has resulted in major financial losses and could have a significant adverse effect on our nation's economy. As I recently wrote in a letter to Speaker Hastert, "An overhaul of the bankruptcy code is needed to ensure that those with the means to pay at least some of their debts are not able to wipe their debts clean by gaming the system. Allowing bankruptcy to become a financial planning tool rather than a last resort forces many of our constituents who pay their debts to pay for those who do not."

I understand the concerns of those who feel that this legislation ignores the needs of the poor and disadvantaged, but I respectfully disagree with those conclusions. The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 protects women and children by strengthening their ability to collect alimony and child support, it provides low income filers with access to chapter 7 without qualification, and it protects consumers through the creation of a "debtors bill of rights" requiring the disclosure of bankruptcy fees.

It is also important to keep in mind that frivolous bankruptcies impact consumers who choose to play by the rules, particularly those lower income families who work hard, pay their debts but still face difficulties obtaining credit. We shouldn't punish those who pay their debts by forcing them into a system that requires those who play by the rules to be punished because others haven't made good credit decisions. This legislation provides protection for all Americans who find themselves shouldering the burden of the bankruptcy abuses of others.

It is important to remember that bankruptcy is not something created by debtors alone. Creditors, the federal government, as well as state and local governments have an important role to play in enhancing financial literacy and ensuring a level playing field for all consumers. The need for strong consumer protections, affordable health care, and better wages should not, however, stand in the way of common sense bankruptcy reform.

Thanks again for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance or provide additional information, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Herseth

I wish this was an April Fools joke, but I'm afraid it isn't. Hard to tell SD Dems from members of the GOP.

[saracat]

1. Damn.

[sarahlee]

2. What you said..

..was a lot nicer than what I said. Obviously she needs some educating.

[sarahlee]

3. ACTION ALERT: Wednesday April 6 at noon local time.

Coalition Pressures House Members to Reject Bankruptcy Bill

An impressive coalition has been assembled during the past week to work, against all odds, for the defeat in the Congress of a bankruptcy bill passed last month in the Senate. The House is expected to vote on the bill (S. 256) this week.


The groups lobbying against it include
- Democrats.com
- Progressive Democrats of America (pdamerica.org)
- AFL-CIO (aflcio.org)
- Billionaires for Bush (billionairesforbush.com)
- Black Commentator (blackcommentator.com)
- Center for American Progress (americanprogress.org)
- Democracy Week (democracyweek.org)
- The Nation (nation.org)
- National Community Reinvestment Coalition (ncrc.org)
- National Organization for Women (now.org)
- People's Email Network (usalone.com)
- Politology (politology.us)
- Public Citizen (citizen.org)
and more. See list at www.debtslavery.org

These organizations have been encouraging their members to Email, phone, and fax Congress. Members of these groups will rally outside the district offices of targeted Members of Congress around the country on Wednesday April 6 at noon local time.

[yorkdane]

4. My reply to her email letter:

Thank you for your response. How disappointing to learn that you will vote no on a bill that with ammendments would have afforded some measure of protection for divorced women and their children, retirees, and others who statistically are in need of debt reduction assistance due to overwhelming medical bills and other devastating situations rather than irresponsible debt accumulation. I had hoped you would stand with some of your Democrat collegues who will vote no on this bill rather than in lockstep with the Republicans. Reading your letter was tantamount to reading GOP right wing talking points. Be assurred I will share your this with my fellow Democrats who will also keep in mind your voting record when it comes time for re-election.
____________________________________________________________________

And my email reply was a lot nicer than what I said or thought privately!