Posted on 02/21/2005 10:20:54 AM PST by fight_truth_decay
CBS anchor Dan Rather on Friday characterized class action lawsuit reform as "the first in a hoped-for series of big wins for big business," before Thalia Assuras warned that "what's good for big business" in a proposed bankruptcy reform bill "could be bad for individuals like Jane Brack, who almost three years ago was charging her mortgage payments on credit cards." Assuras fretted that if the bill passes, "many people who file for bankruptcy could be forced to pay back some of their debts rather than having them wiped out." Yes, such people would no longer be able to effectively be thieves. Assuras noted "that could save businesses and banks from eating millions of dollars in losses," before turning to her main source, the far-left, but unlabeled, Joan Claybrook, who "says the plan will hurt millions of Americans instead." Assuras concluded by lamenting how with "the President and the Republican majority" in sync, "businesses stand to improve their bottom line by billions of dollars."
Rather set up the February 18 CBS Evening News piece, as corrected against the closed-captioning by the MRC's Brad Wilmouth: "Wasting no time, President Bush today signed a law just passed by Congress to limit major damage awards to consumers in class action lawsuits. And CBS's Thalia Assuras reports it's just the beginning of the President's bigger agenda for business."
George W. Bush at White House bill signing: "This bill helps fix the system."
Thalia Assuras: "The President today held his first bill-signing ceremony of his second term, delivering what may be the first in a hoped-for series of big wins for big business."
Bush: "We have a responsibility to confront frivolous litigation head on."
Assuras: "Next up? Limiting damage awards in medical malpractice suits and revising bankruptcy laws to make it harder for people to avoid creditors. Bush's backers say that kind of overhaul will pay off."
Michael Baroody, National Association of Manufacturers: "You can't say you're for a growing economy, higher living standards for American working men and women and their families, and then be against reforming a system that is a drag on our ability to grow this economy."
Assuras, over video of her walking on a sidewalk beside Claybrook: "American business has been waiting years for this. Now, with an increased Republican majority, the numbers finally seem to be on their side."
Assuras to Claybrook: "How good a political time is this for the business lobbyists and business?"
Joan Claybrook, Public Citizen: "They view this as their best time ever."
Assuras warned: "But what's good for big business could be bad for individuals like Jane Brack, who almost three years ago was charging her mortgage payments on credit cards. She lost her job, and, in the end, she had to sell her home and file for bankruptcy. She says she wouldn't have survived otherwise."
Jane Brack: "It allowed me to start over, to start with a fresh slate."
Assuras: "But if personal bankruptcy legislation passes -- one of the President's priorities -- many people who file for bankruptcy could be forced to pay back some of their debts rather than having them wiped out. That could save businesses and banks from eating millions of dollars in losses. [video of Assuras Claybrook leaning against a table, with "Public Citizen" logos on wall in background] But Claybrook says the plan will hurt millions of Americans instead. You're worried, bottom line."
Claybrook: "I am worried, and I am passionate about this because the moderate and low income consumers are really being shafted."
Assuras concluded: "The President and the Republican majority are on the same page on the proposed changes, so businesses stand to improve their bottom line by billions of dollars."
Democrat Rep. John Dingell,the fourth longest-serving member of the House of Representatives sparred with Claybrook, over air bags that he fought to keep out of cars.
"He's a bully," Ms. Claybrook once said.
Mr. Dingell saw it differently.
"Understand," Dingell said, "there's a difference between tough and hard. But, yes, I am when I have to be. [Being the] toughest is not a goal; it's a means to an end. The goal is to get the job done."
"I was not against [them]. I said they could kill people, which was true."
I had to suffer through this report too. Heaven forbid that people actually have to pay back what they owe. Abuse of bankruptcy law by people *and* businesses has become widespread, going well beyond those who hit a financial disaster and have no choice but to file.
And many of those owed money by those who file for bankruptcy are individuals and small businesses, not corporations. Those individuals and small businesses can't afford to write off losses.
....and when businesses write off losses from people who can't or won't pay guess who they pass those losses to.
Danny get in his last licks at Bush before he starts his job as a night watchman at Sears.
No Gusto, Dan! Not going for the knock outs anymore? I expected much more fire in the belly........;)
I'm surprised anything involving Dan BLather and SeeBS has any credibility. Am I to be responsible for anyone who pays their mortgage with credit cards? Again, the Bankruptcy Laws, well intended at its inception, have been compromised by politics and now barely resembles its original intent. Over the years, politicians have found another Peter to pay Paul.
I read of a case a few years ago in which a couple was not only "paying" their bills by credit card, but they took out several cards. They used a vast amount of money to improve their home, and then declared bankruptcy. They claimed they should be allowed to keep their home under the bankruptcy law. They were serious about this. If they they sold their house, they'd have been many, many thousands of dollars ahead after bankruptcy. They finally got shot down by a judge.
"Jane Brack: "It allowed me to start over, to start with a fresh slate."
Yes, all is lost. But how will we know if Dan isn't around to tell us?
This one is a dangerous one. Poor people aren't filing for bankrupcy, its the middle class. Typical case scenario. Somebody is working at a $40,000 a year job. They have insurance. They get very very sick. The insurance pays off at the start, but then they get so sick for so long that they lose or quit their jobs. They lose insurance, they rack up $200,000 in medical bills. With no job, no insurance, they take out a second mortgage, but that doesn't cover all the costs. They file for bankrupcy. Medical bills account for over half of these bankrupcies like I said. These are people who work, paid insurance benefits, but got too sick. I guarantee that there will be hours of testimony from these folks when the bill is about to go forward. Honestly, I don't know what the answer is, but let's start from the assumption that these people are all "deadbeats", there are some really gutwrenching stories here.
I would respect her more if she went in the bank with a gun and straight up stole the money
these are the same people dims cater to and their reason (excuse)not to even partially privitize social security:because there will always be someone who gambles away, spends away, or otherwise makes continuous series of bad judgements with their (or someone else's) money.
I also had to laugh when I was in collections and got the excuse, "I can't pay my bill because of Christmas". as if the annual holiday just kinda sneaks up on ya.
Claybrook: "I am worried
Outstanding. For such a miserable excuse for a woman, to be worried is a tribute to America and the future. I would hope her irrelevancy is chafing her butt.
I think you mean "aren't all deadbeats".
As one of those who has no medical insurance but does have a few bucks (not that many), I live in terror of a serious illness or injury. It wouldn't take much to wipe me out.
I don't know the answer either.
Get medical insurance.
If I had 50 cents an hour for every insurance claim form I've filled out over the years, I'd be way ahead of the game.
"Assuras warned: "But what's good for big business could be bad for individuals like Jane Brack, who almost three years ago was charging her mortgage payments on credit cards. She lost her job, and, in the end, she had to sell her home and file for bankruptcy. She says she wouldn't have survived otherwise."
Guess who ended up holding the bag for Ms. Brack. All of us who promptly pay our bills did. A small business that gets burned like this might have to go out of business, hurting its owners, employees, and creditors. Larger businesses that can absorb losses like this recoup those losses by charging their responsible customers a bit more. It's a hidden tax we all pay to support irresponsible deadbeats like Ms. Brack.
Again though, medical insurance only works if you can actually still pay it.
If you can not work anymore because of your medical problems, there goes insurance. Catch-22 and all.
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