Bankruptcy bill passes Senate 74 to 25 per AP

[BlueInRed]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20050310/ap_on_go_co/bankruptcy

Unbelievable the number of defectors. Anyone have the voting list?

snip
The Senate passed legislation Thursday that will make it harder for Americans to rid themselves of debt by filing for bankruptcy.

The House is expected to pass the measure next month, delivering to President Bush (news - web sites) a second victory this year on pro-business legislation he had sought.

The vote was 74-25 to approve the most thorough overhaul of bankruptcy laws in a quarter-century.
snip

[gizmo1979]

1. We lose again

Man I'am sick of losing.

[ignu]

2. 89uslda;jf;lkasdjfas-d9fuisdal

why did the actual bill get more votes than the vote for cloture?

gah.

[Arugula Latte]

3. I hope some smug Republicans run into bad luck.

An illness, a job loss -- poof! *Oh, I get it now*

[Emboldened Chimp]

6. Elected officials are set for life

They draw a pension and health benefits until the day they die.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Yes, but some everyday Joe Republicans will "get" it.

It will serve them right when it happens.

[CountAllVotes]

12. yep those in the McMansions ...

that have been refinanced again and again and again. They are in debt up the arse and have no money. It is all see and nothing to back it up.

These are the ones that will suffer the most.

Bankruptcy for the McMansion crowd? NEVER!

:kick:

[maxrandb]

33. What Do You Mean Republican???

19!!!!!!!

Count 'em 19!! Dems voted for this shameful bill!

I'm sure it's because their constituents were burning up the phone-lines just begging for Bankruptcy Reform.

"Please Senator Biden, Screw Me in the ass with no reach around"

Why the groundswell of support from the public was so strong, that if they hadn't voted for this bill, the public would have brought out the pitchforks and torches.

[Deja Q]

8. Aren't they so lucky; until power is returned to the people...

...this stuff will continue.

[Jawja]

65. We have the Supreme Court

to thank for this... they ruled that Corporations were indeed "People" who could contribute $$$ to political parties.

We have no representation anymore because the Corporations, as "people," have bought the Congress. It is evident today in the legislation that they pass. All for the Corporations and nothing for us.

Our government is truly corrupt to the core.

[Divernan]

55. 3/4 of those filing for banruptcy due to med. bills HAVE health insurance

I read this earlier today - sorry I have no cite. Also more than half of bankruptcies are due to massive medical bills. So many head-in-the-sand, smug GOP-ers who think they have financial security will find that they have to choose between staying alive but living in poverty, or having their medical coverage run out while they still need life-saving treatments. There ARE lifetime limits on health insurance. I saw desperate Republican parents who had children with chronic major health problems. The health insurance was used up by the time the kids were 8 or 10 years old. We can view this new bankruptcy law as sort of delayed euthanasia.

[all.of.me]

102. geez, do you think anyone will think of ...

... revamping health care?!

what fools.

[MountainLaurel]

118. Of course not

They'll just see it as Gawd's will that their child die because the insurance company refused to cover a third course of chemo and an experimental (in the U.S., but used for years in Europe) surgery.

[all.of.me]

119. i AM amazed at how people think this way

'my child dying is god's will.' they NEVER blame the doctors or the medical industry. they see it as god's will. hell-o-o-o-o-o-o?!?!?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

11. Don't worry...their house of cards will be falling soon. What they...

...don't understand is that the more they screw the little man the more likely the entire US economic system grinds to a halt, taking the big guys down with it.

Big guys have a lot farther to fall and will be quite entertaining to watch.

Even now the international community is taking steps to slowly strangle the US economy. New economic, political and military alliances are being forged behind the scenes to deal with the Busch Junta, much as alliances were built to deal with the WWII Axis powers. Oil prices are on the rise, foreign investors are bailing out from American investments, more attempts are being made to engage our military which drains the bank even quicker,...and the dolts that make up the Busch Junta don't even realize what's happening.

[reprobate]

83. And the American people have absolutely NO idea what's being done to them.

They will have a huge surprize coming when gas is $4.00 a gallon, when their dollars will buy almost nothing, when congress is passing laws dictated by foreign governments.

It truly saddens my heart to see the promise of the founding fathers trashed to the point that the nations that many of our ancestors came from will be deciding our future.

And we did it to ourselves. Who was it that said "A democracy is not possible without an informed electorate"? Or somehting like that.

[cyberpj]

100. Beg to differ here - unfortunately

the big guys have been investing and moving overseas for some time now and will continue to profit from their forays into countries without labor and pollution restraints. Wonder how many have started building their RETREAT abroad?

[bunkerbuster1]

104. And they will return after the US has gone completely to crap

and they can buy stuff back for pennies on the dollar.

That's how it works if you've got the juice.

A very, very sad day. I'm really starting to believe that our "Democratic" senators stand for absolutely nothing.

[Sirveri]

4. Wow, this country is really screwed.

Keep pulling the handle, maybe it will go down the toilet faster.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

5. Once the House passes this abomination, how long will it take....

...for Herr Busch to sign it into law, and then when will it become effective?

Anyone know for sure?

[hatrack]

9. Six months after being signed

If you're thinking about declaring, do it now.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

13. Got a meeting with my lawyer this coming Tuesday...thanks for the info!

[Melynn]

81. Look for a run of bankruptcies to be declared

before this bill becomes law.

[Beware the Beast Man]

120. Good. I have time.

Yep, I'm another lib'rul gettin' out of paying my debts. If this economy was worth a shit, I may be able to. At least I paid the retainer.

[whometense]

10. I watched most of the vote.

Defectors:

Biden
Landrieu
Bayh
Byrd
Reid (Nevada)

Obviously, there were lots more.

Against:

Kerry
Kennedy
Lieberman
Cantwell
Durbin
Reid (RI)

All the info isn't up yet. When it's ready (soon I think) you can find it here: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00044

[CountAllVotes]

14. damn sight disgusting

All these rich white men with everything they need in life.

FUCK all of them!

:kick:

[BlueInRed]

15. The Senate Leader defected???

Man, I was giving him points for being feisty. Forget about that, he's back on my S*** list.

[lavenderdiva]

75. I could be wrong, but the way I read this,

it looks like Reid voted 'against' the bill... He's still on our side.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

16. Lieberman voted against it?? I'm shocked beyond reason.

[DebJ]

18. I don't think this will be updated until tomorrow..

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClarkUSA]

25. But Hilary Clinton a hero now, right?

She voted against it.

[seriousstan]

37. Clinton didn't vote against it....SHE DIDN"T VOTE.

Why have guts when you can duck?

[SW FL Dem]

48. I think Hilary had other things on her mind today!

The bill was going to pass and Bill was undergoing major surgery.

[seriousstan]

52. Bush was going to be appointed anyway, but Boxer stood up.

Hillary had her chance to show her true colors when the vote on limiting the debate came to the floor. She voted to stfle debate.

[never_get_over_it]

79. I don't think she voted to stop the debate

and she didn't vote today because she was in NYC while her husband was having surgery....

[lonestarnot]

45. Was a heroine prior to vote! n/t

[seriousstan]

49. When she voted to limit the debate? Is that the heroine part?

[lonestarnot]

54. What the fuck was the sense stretching it out due to those 10 boneheads!

[seriousstan]

56. What the fuck was the sense of Boxer stretching it out?

TO SHOW PEOPLE WHERE SHE STOOD!!!

[lonestarnot]

59. Hillary didn't even vote! And I say Boxer 2008! Hope she doesn't fuck

up!

[BlueInRed]

77. Hillary was with Bill for his surgery

[JetCityLiberal]

63. Cantwell voting no really surprised me

I confess I expected a yea from her.

Sent her a thank you for her no vote, encouraged her to keep that up.

JetCityLiberal

[LDS Jock]

117. why are you using Mormon as an insult?

back stabbing, self centered, male chauvinist pig, Mormon, people hating jerk... why is Mormon on that list of negative traits?

[mahina]

REID- NV????

How do we tell him we do not appreciate this kind of betrayal, in a way that helps him understand without the circular firing squad?
Because about now that's all I can think of.
Un fricking beleivable. Leader? Give me a f*cking break.

[bunkerbuster1]

105. "Reid (D-NV), Yea," Oy. Sure about that "D"?

What does the "D" even STAND FOR?

Denial?
Dense?
Dullard?
Dipshit?
Dickhead?
Dork?
Damnedfool?
Deal-us-out?

oy.

oy oy oy.

oy oy oy oy oy.

It really is the last page of Animal Farm, innit?

[K8-EEE]

106. Lieberman Votes AGINST?

...WHAT????

[Discord]

108. he's starting to fell the heat!

[BlueInRed]

113. This is typical Lieberman MO -- He voted with Rs on cloture and

some amendments, then voted with Ds on the final bill so he could say he opposed the bill.

When they do the "ratings" that everyone talks about in election years, they almost never count anything but the final vote. Lieberman has done this on many votes over the past 4 years. (Before that, I never paid any attention.)

[renaissanceguy]

111. Funny how Clinton didn't vote on this one.

Talk about taking the "middle ground."

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744291

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Food for thought

1932 yuo do know the third highest vote getter WAS the communist party, you also know that this was one of the reasons for the New Deal the pukes want to banish from history.

They are planting the seeds of their own destruction, pure and simple

[pokercat999]

19. Whores and bastards, a pock on them and their families. nt

[onehandle]

20. THE LIST of Senators who Will NEVER be President:

Lincoln (D) Yes.
Pryor (D) Yes.
Salazar (D) Yes.
Biden (D) Yes.
Carper (D) Yes.
Nelson (D) Yes.
Inouye (D) Yes.
Bayh (D) Yes.
Landrieu (D) Yes.
Stabenow (D) Yes.
Baucus (D) Yes.
Nelson (D) Yes.
Reid (D) Yes.
Bingaman (D) Yes.
Conrad (D) Yes.
Johnson (D) Yes.
Byrd (D) Yes.
Kohl (D) Yes.

And Jeffords (I)

[BlueInRed]

22. Bayh just sealed his fate with a lot of people; thanks for the list.

I was surprised when he stood with the Dems on cloture, but this will end up backfiring on his bid for president. There are a lot of Democrats who won't forgive this vote and I'll wager as the full impact starts to be realized, that number will grow.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

73. I won't support him either.

[renaissanceguy]

112. I hope you're right. This vote shows exactly where

he stands--with corporations, not with average people.


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.16884083

[Robert Oak]

27. Reid, we need him OUT as the democratic minority leader that's it n/t

[alarimer]

28. What a bunch of turncoats

These people are so completely out of touch. Obviously they will never have to deal with bankruptcy. I think term limits are starting to sound like a better idea all the time. Any chance we can get rid of some of these people and elect REAL Democrats? People who haven't been bribed by huge corporations? And that is what this represents- all these people are basically bought and paid for by the banks and credit card companies.

[reprobate]

80. As long as corporations can contribute to political campaigns...

...there will be no change because there really is no way anyone can be elected to office without them. You can't collect enough money just from individuals to run an effective campaign.

[madmark]

36. Reid and Byrd too huh

All the nice rhetoric from those two just flushed down the toilet

[SpiralHawk]

39. Bingaman !! WTF?

He has just invited a major crapload of opposition to his Senate seat. Sell out. That's what he has done. Spare me the "Dear Constituent" letter.

It is So Over between us.

[Itsthetruth]

61. I Don't Think So

I don't think so. You very well might be out there campaigning hard for him when he runs against some really bad Republican.

[DebJ]

23. Good luck states collecting more taxes to pay for deadbeat dads

Mom's on welfare, Dad files bankruptcy with delinquent child support. State pays welfare and is trying to recoup support from Dad. Not anymore!


Below is from the Congressional Record, a tribute to Kennedy's fight for the innocent with one of his proposed (but killed) amendments. Will this make victims of spousal assault even less likely to get divorced? I'm sure the Repubs support that possible reaction!

AMENDMENT NO. 70
Mr. President, I would ask that amendment be temporarily set aside, and I call up amendment No. 70.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment No. 70 is already pending.

Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the Chair.

Mr. President, this amendment is designed to protect single mothers and their children, who are forced into bankruptcy because they did not receive the child and spousal support they were entitled to, from the harsh provisions of this bankruptcy bill. Single mothers are 50 percent more likely than married people to go bankrupt and three times more likely than childless people to go bankrupt. That statistic tells a great deal about the reality of why people are in bankruptcy.

The proponents of this bill argue that people file for bankruptcy because they are spendthrifts looking to escape their financial obligations. But this stereotype is terribly wrong. The bankruptcy courts are filled with the cases of hard-working people who were pushed over the financial brink because of a family health crisis, a lost job, or a failure to receive child support. These are the people this bill would turn the screws on, looking to squeeze out a few more dollars for the credit card companies.

The amendment focuses on this last group, on single parents trying to raise their children without the financial support they were supposed to receive from the absent parent. It would exempt from the onerous means test a single parent who failed to receive child support or spousal support that she was entitled to receive pursuant to a valid court order totaling more than 35 percent of her household income within a 12-month period. No wonder such a person ended up in bankruptcy. She was never paid more than a third of the income she expected over an entire year to help raise her children, to provide for their basic needs and well-being. Under those circumstances, she had no choice but to fall back on borrowing to support her family. She was not irresponsible. What she did was unavoidable.

Few people realize the magnitude of this problem. In 2004, $95 billion in child support--$95 billion--was uncollected. Failure to receive that child

GPO's PDF
support put millions of single-parent families in a deep financial hole through no fault of their own, and it is the children who suffer the most in these situations. Why on earth would we want to make things even more difficult for these families? Most single moms have to struggle to make ends meet. They are working in low-wage jobs without good benefits. Over three quarters, 78 percent, of them are concentrated in four typically low-wage occupational categories. When the economy is tough, they are often the first ones let go.

The poverty rate for single moms is nearly 40 percent as compared to 19 percent for single fathers. It is no wonder that single mothers are now more likely to go bankrupt than any other demographic group--more than the elderly, more than divorced men or married couples, more than minorities or people living in poor neighborhoods. Yet this legislation would deny traditional bankruptcy relief to many single-parent families who never received the child support they were owed. Instead, they would have to keep paying those credit card bills for another 5 years. Is that fair? I can't believe that a majority of my Senate colleagues think it is.

I am asking them to extend a little compassion to these single mothers struggling to raise their children.

The following women's and children's organizations continue to oppose this bill: The National Women's Law Center, the National Partnership for Women and Families, National Organization for Women, Parents for Children, YWCA, Business and Professional Women, the Children's Defense Fund, Voices for America's Children. They do so because of the particularly harsh provisions of this bankruptcy bill and the heavy weight it puts upon women generally and most particularly on innocent women who are being denied child support and alimony and because they, through no fault of their own, run into

this kind of a financial crisis. This legislation will impose harsh provisions upon them, and they will be treated not just in bankruptcy but they will be treated with the harsh provisions that will effectively put them in indentured servitude for the next 5 years.

The National Women's Law Center, in writing to urge opposition to S. 256, says it is harsh on economically vulnerable women and their families. They point out that the bill would inflict additional hardship on over 1 million economically vulnerable women and families who are affected by the bankruptcy system each year--1 million women, the majority of whose only problem is that their husbands have failed to provide alimony and child support. And we are going to wrap them in with the spendthrifts who run amok with their credit. These are innocent individuals. We are saying that the harsher provisions of this bankruptcy law--that is going to indenture these women for 5 years; they can get judgments against them for 5 years--will exist for these families, women forced into bankruptcy because of family breakups, factors which account for 9 out of the 10 filings of women who are owed child and spousal support by men who file for bankruptcy.

It is going to be more difficult for the women to even get the alimony from their husbands who may be in bankruptcy but needing to owe alimony to their wives, because the husbands are going to be subjected to the provisions in this legislation and that is going to make the wife compete with the credit card companies. So that is going to be another burden which these individuals are going to have to face.

I hope we can find some support for this amendment because we are talking about perhaps among the most innocent group of people who will be caught in this. We have talked about single moms. We have talked about the National Guard and Reserve. We have talked about those who have been hit by the medical bankruptcy. All, through really no fault of their own or very little fault of their own, are going to be facing a very harsh future.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Grouped By Vote Position YEAs ---41
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Chafee (R-RI)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs ---58
Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Allen (R-VA)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burns (R-MT)
Burr (R-NC)
Carper (D-DE)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
DeWine (R-OH)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Frist (R-TN)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-NE)
Roberts (R-KS)
Santorum (R-PA)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Talent (R-MO)
Thomas (R-WY)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

Not Voting - 1
Clinton (D-NY)

[mahina]

115. Thanks DebJ...how did you find that text?

Mahalo!

[agincourt]

24. This is why people say there is no difference.

I don't believe it, as a democratically controlled house or senate wouldn't have run this stink hole through. But still we should have voted as a block against it, it would have been sticking up for the little guy against the asshole credit card companies. But noooooo, we had to provide grist for the there is no difference crowd.

[davekriss]

62. It pretty much cements the idea for me

No difference. When it counts. Not on Iraq. Not on the Bankruptcy Bill. No difference.

[frylock]

66. word up..

fuck these people. I voted a straight Democratic ticket the last two elections, and for what?! This?!? Never again. I'm going back to voting third party. There is absolutely no excuse for these Dem Senators voting the way they did, except to line their fucking pockets. To me, that clearly shows that there is NO difference. :grr:

[Melynn]

82. I vote third party but lately I have liked what the Dems have been doing

Like having Howard Dean as DNC chair and fighting the President over Social Security Reform. After today though, I just don't know. This is bad, really bad.

[agincourt]

69. I think if they controlled one house,

or didn't always get beat up by diebold and bubba troll, the dems would be more effective. Unfortunately when they could have taken a good stand against big business this week, only 25 used the opportunity.

[davekriss]

71. I actually think that was a fatal mistake

Well, that is if the already-dead can have a fatal mistake.

They could have held the line as a Party against the Great Satan looming in the minds of all but the most affluent (what an easy symbolic target, the bloodsucking "credit card companies"), and declared themselves heroes of the many against the rapacious interests of the few. Instead, we have again a mere wimper.

Rather than lead to the Left, the Democratic Party capitulates to the Right, believing (apparantly) in so doing they secure victory. Einstien defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Meanwhile the Plutocrats captured the White House, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, most of the rest of the judicial system, most Governerships, most state legislatures, and the "free" (loud hiccup!) press.

By any definition the leadership of the Democratic Party should be declared insane!

[AndyTiedye]

74. Repubs Are Still A Lot Worse

Remember, they ALL voted for this thing. Most of the Dems opposed it.

Also, the Republicans are the party of theocracy, while the Democrats
still support the First Amendment.

[Massachusetts]

26. "Government, Of the people, By the people, For the people"

We are FOOLED again.

[98geoduck]

29. just substitute "corporation " for "people" and it will sum it up.

[IndianaGreen]

93. In this instance, it is government for the bankers!

As Jefferson said, a little rebellion now and then is good for the country.

[BadGimp]

30. I have not heard anyone say whay we NEED this bill

I know why the robber baron credit companies need it but for the life of me can't see how this helps Americans.

But what really strikes me is : IS THIS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AMERICA NEEDS RIGHT NOW????

farkin liars and traitors of Democracy..

WASS

[lostnfound]

99. Guess they're expecting a flood of bankruptcies..? nt

[Cookie wookie]

31. I keep hearing different things.

Am confused. Thought last night on Mike Malloy that he said Biden and Kerry voted for S. 256 (Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ). But when I looked at the website from the link above, it shows a No vote for them and the following:

NAYs ---25

Akaka (D-HI)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Wyden (D-OR)


Obviously there must have been two bills. Can someone enlighten me? All day long I was burning and seething. Here it appears Kerry didn't vote for it, thank god. Neither did Reid.

May all those who voted "yes" rot in hell.

[BlueInRed]

34. Here's the final, official vote link

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00044#position

Kerry did vote against the final bill, although there were other things in the process of amendments that he supported. Hope this helps.

[Cookie wookie]

42. Thanks. Yes good to have a confirmation

on that. Now wonder what Malloy was talking about.

As far as the bill goes, it is so cruel and diabolical it boggles the mind. What exactly are they aiming for? Destroying people. What are people to do if they have a catastrophic illness that their insurance doesn't cover. What are they thinking? I've had the experience of an elderly family member and hospitalization and after care. There is no way to know in advance what this will end up costing because the rules are so labyrinth that it's impossible to know. Then what does one do if they know? Just crawl off to the woods (if there are any left after "Healthy Forests" and let the critters eat them since their homes can be taken?

These people are the lowest scum of the earth and they are turning our country into a hell for the elderly, children, the weak, veterans, and eventually all the rest of us because of the threat of losing jobs and going under financially -- all because of the rampant and unceasing greed and gluttony of multinational corporate leaders and their willing coconspirators, the Republicans and every Democrat who votes with them and every American who supports them.

[nolabels]

96. As for "Destroying people", I keep on having this vision

I am imagining a large gathering of Bulldozers bucking up and pushing the whole corrupt D.C. machine and it's Houses of ill repute into the Potomac River


http://www.jorisbeton.nl/bulldozer.htm

[Jersey Ginny]

88. Once again, no Repukes broke ranks, just the dem sheep

The democratic party is in shambles. It is appearing that there is no difference of significance between the partys. We should have to lobby and fight so hard for dems to protect everyday Americans.
This is really bad. The Repukes NEVER or at least rarely break ranks. Heil!

[Cookie wookie]

35. Think I figured it out

Looks like it was the amendment Kerry and others voted yes for not S 256.

[Robert Oak]

32. it just makes me sick to my stomach

Truly this proves there is no America anymore and I can't understand
why even bother to have elections with this sort of crap?

Why waste everyone's time and money when our "representatives"
are really members of the corporate party.

I just have a gut feeling that this was somehow the turning point...
the corner where they is not return, it's gone too far, and impending
disaster for people is approaching.

A terrible feeling and no I'm not needing to declare bankruptcy
now or planning to.

[raccoon]

109. I feel the same way

It seems to me that the Democrats are only slightly less callous and uncaring about the American middle class and poor.

But both Republicans and Democrats belong to the big corporations.

Like Frederick Douglass said, "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will."

I don't think the power elite will give the ordinary working stiffs a national health plan, or anything, unless the people DEMAND it.

And, sadly, I don't know if that will ever happen.

[madmark]

38. Well i did what I could and this POS still passed.

Now I'm just going to sharpen my knives and formulate how to make even more money off this awful bill than I am right now under the current law. My only consolation will be the money and the that fact I will be working with red state debtors. In the mean time the country goes to hell.

[Cookie wookie]

46. Thanks for your efforts.

I'm so involved with the voting issue -- getting verified voting in GA -- no time for work on anything else.

[ticapnews]

40. Biden '08!

Guess we know who will be bankrolling his presidential bid...

Does the "B" in MBNA stand for Biden? ;)

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cookie wookie]

44. Ahoy Biden.

Enjoy your visit to the Inferno. Hope Cereberus bites your ass on the way down.

[Mass]

103. He still believes it

Yesterday, he made a speech on Darfur where he added a long anti-French thread. I guess it is the way he wants to be seen: to the right of Bush.

[lonestarnot]

43. We should all mass file bk's tomorrow! n/t

[JDPriestly]

47. This will increase the number of suicides

How totally lacking in compassion these senators are. The credit card companies make a mint off of their dirty business -- hooking people into a debt and pay cycle.

Rarely does a day pass but what we get a handfull of credit card offers -- which we throw away immediately.

I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but if you want to know what the greatest sins in America are, they are excessive personal debt and gambling. I think it is easier for families to heal the damage from extramarital sex than from financial ruin. Living on the credit edge and gambling hysteria are tearing apart too many American families and society. Where are the Christian moral police on these issues? Silent, or listening to their sponsors -- big business and big banking.

[CornField]

50. So long as those folks are born before they off themselves. Oh... and so

long as they don't go about falling in love with someone who has the same plumbing.

/sarcasm

[regnaD kciN]

53. To answer your question...

Where are the Christian moral police on these issues?

Several days ago, a group of Christian lawyers issued an open letter to Congress, denouncing the bankruptcy bill as immoral and anti-Christian. To which, Senator Grassley (R-of course), the sponsor of the bill, replied. "the United States is not a theocracy."

Gotta love those Repugs. Zealously "pro-God"...except when being so might harm their big-business campaign contributions.

:puke:

[JDPriestly]

94. I'm relieved to learn that some Christians

took a stand on this. Usury is a sin. It disrupts society and oppresses others. Thanks for posting this.

[Jersey Ginny]

86. Yup, I call this bill the pro suicide and divorce bill n/t

[davekriss]

51. If I were facing debt peonage...

I would pull an Abbie Hoffman and disappear into Mexico...



...and fight from there. THey're doing it in full view, right in front of our faces. They truly don't care anymore:

The illusion of freedom in America will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre.
--Frank Zappa, 1977

[Itsthetruth]

60. Senator Reid: A Bad Guy Today, A Great Liberal Hero Tomorrow

And as soon as Senator Reid votes "the right way" on a Bill you support or oppose I can just hear all of the praise on DU about what a gutsy fellow he is to stand up to Republicans. Our hero!

Just forget his bad votes enabling the Bush government and hurting the average working person.

I won't forget and please don't ask me to forget his action when Reid makes some nice sounding statement on Social Security or whatever.

[davekriss]

67. Not sure why you hooked this to my post...

...as I have zero respect for any Republicrat of the United Plutocracy Against America, land of the free to rape and pillage, home of the brave that cede their future to the few. Most of the time I bite my tongue here.

(Reid isn't and never will be my hero!! MLK? Ghandi? Now we're talkin' Emma Goldman? Bakunin? Mother Jones? Chomsky? All dear to my heart! Johnny Rotten? "Noooooooooo futurrrrrrre" should be ringing in everyone's ears by now...!)

[Itsthetruth]

68. OOOOpppppssssss

Sorry. I just clicked in the wrong spot.

[Divernan]

57. Think of all the National Guard soldiers deep in debt

Will they be able to file for bankruptcy while stationed in Irag, Afghanistan, or wherever? If you know any military spouses in the states, and they are deep in debt, they should be talking to an atty. about filing soon. I have heard many stories about how desperate the financial picture is for these national guard troops who were pulled away from better paying jobs and still have high mortgage payments, not to mention all the other costs for their famlies which continue as usual even though their incomes have been drastically reduced.

[indie_voter]

58. Ahh the irony is rich

" "The short answer is fairness," declared Sen. Orrin Hatch (news, bio, voting record), R-Utah. "Those who can pay their bills should pay their bills. That's the American way." "


Indeed.

Has Sen Hatch seen our deficit lately?


:eyes:

[lovuian]

64. Dickens times ahead Read Little Dorrit or Bleak House

Its a wake up call to what America is going to see!!!

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

70. rich bilionaires rule !!! yee haw--any day I'm gonna be filthy rich too!!

Creditors deserve to get all they can get from the lower bottom feeders!

Personally,
I'm in with the "higher" class winners dontcha know-

already got an new SUV with a yellow ribbon magnet-
Yup, I'm gonna need those tax cuts too when i get rich next year--


oh, by the way, did I mention I'm a cashier at Wall Mart?

Billionaires kick ass !!!

Eat shit you lowlife servant class !!!

[VegasWolf]

72. ANY democrat who voted FOR this bill is DEAD in 2008! n/t

[Betty]

76. Don't remember president asshole mentioning this during the campaign...

I wonder if some of the idiots who voted for him would have thought twice if they knew that they'd be hung out to dry by bushler and the credit card companies that helped to bankroll his "re-election". The only silver lining will be if it comes back to bite lots of those people on the ass.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

85. I know 2 rethugs who voted for him

who had to declare bankruptcy at one point in their lives.

Bet they've conveniently forgotten about that.

[Dickie Flatt]

78. Mark Dayton (D-MN) has a good statement on this bill

"The bankruptcy bill is an abomination. It does nothing to protect consumers, as its title claims, nor does it reflect the urgent need to address corporate bankruptcy abuse and predatory lending practices. This bill attacks working Americans, many of whom have been thrown into dire financial straights, through no fault of their own, by uncovered medical expenses or loss of a job. While it professes to be a consumer protection bill, in reality, it is a credit card company profit assurance plan."

[Kimber Scott]

84. Yes, I got two "You're pre-approved" credit card offers in the mail today.

Here comes the avalanche of "free" money...

[Jersey Ginny]

87. Mail them back and make the companies spend money

This week I started to mail my daily "offers" back, taking away identifying info,and saying 'no,' 'no thank you,' or 'stop predatory lending'. I'm looking into how much it costs the companies when you mail back a business reply letter. I encourage everyone to do this. Make them pay and let them know how you feel!

[Kimber Scott]

89. They have to pay the postage. I've heard of people taping those

envelopes to bricks and mailing them back! I don't know if the post office will let you mail a plain brick, but a packaged one would work. Oh! What an inspiration you are!

[primavera]

116. How about sending back a nice fresh pile of dog crap?

Or would that be considered bioterrorism? I've got a golden retriever who would be happy to contribute to the cause.

[K8-EEE]

107. GREAT IDEA!!

OH I'M SO DOING THIS!

[unkachuck]

90. ....it makes me proud....

....to be a Republican, I mean, Democrat....could somebody please explain to me the actual difference between a Democrat and a Republican?....at the moment, I'm a little confused....

[missouri dem 2]

91. I think that this vote is a turning point for the Democratic party.

It clearly points out how much the of party has been bought out by the corporations. Anyone who voted for this POC has no right to call themselves a Democrat. I will no longer be a yellow dog democrat.

[gort]

92. America. By the Rich. For the Rich and only for the Rich

We the poor, pay the bills.

All Senators are millionaires and don't give a crap about us.

Welcome to Walmerica, I'm your official greeter. No money down. Free credit. Payday loans.

Get Sick. Die. It's your patriotic duty.

Gort

[cosmicdot]

95. wonder why those who voted 'yea' in 2001, voted 'nay' in 2005?

I suspect some might have figured it was safe to go ahead and vote 'nay' -- help keep those voting record ratings looking half-way decent, so they can point to them and say: see, I'm a Democrat!

The perfect bill to stand together 'for the people' ... not being 100% on this key bill will hurt the party when the cows come home ... can't say: we told you so, when some of our side is standing on their side ... ... ... after 4 years of this in-name-only business; and, the disappointments don't stop.

wow, we gained 12 votes from 2001 ... progress ... gee, government of, by and for the people is on the move ...

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

"Of, by and for Big Business -
Congressional Republicans launch full-blown attack on the individual"
by Robert Scheer

Watching the 109th Congress, one would be forgiven for thinking our Constitution was the blueprint for a government of Big Business, by Big Business and for Big Business. Forget the people -- this is Robin Hood in reverse. ~snip~

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=18602

"THE SENATE OPENS FIRE ON U.S. CONSUMERS"

By Arianna Huffington

U.S. consumers and freed Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena found themselves in the same position this week: under fire from those put in place to protect them.

For Sgrena, the bloody barrage came from jittery U.S. soldiers. For consumers, it was jaded U.S. senators who pulled the trigger, about to pass a bankruptcy bill so hostile to ordinary American families that it could only have come about in a place as corrupt, cynical and unmoored from reality as Washington, D.C.

In a normal world, those elected to represent the interests of the people would have fought for bankruptcy legislation that would, well, represent the interests of the people. But not in Beltway Bizarroland. Instead of cracking down on predatory lending practices, closing loopholes that favor the wealthy, and strengthening the safety net for working people, single mothers and elderly Americans struggling to recover from a financial setback, the Senate put together a nasty little bill that reads like a credit industry wish list. Rubbing salt in the wound, Sen. Charles Grassley, the bill's chief sponsor, labeled it the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005--even though it does nothing to prevent bankruptcy abuse or protect consumers. ~snip~

http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/column.php?id=762

Measure Number: S. 256 (Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 ) March 10, 2005, 06:12 PM

YEAs ---74

Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Byrd (D-WV)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Stabenow (D-MI)


NAYs ---25
Akaka (D-HI) - changed
Boxer (D-CA) - hard to tell; didn't vote in 2001
Cantwell (D-WA) - changed
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND) - changed
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA) - changed
Harkin (D-IA)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ) - no vote 2001
Leahy (D-VT) - changed
Levin (D-MI) - changed
Lieberman (D-CT) - changed
Mikulski (D-MD) - changed
Murray (D-WA) - changed
Obama (D-IL) - no vote 2001
Reed (D-RI)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY) - changed
Wyden (D-OR) - changed

Not Voting - 1
Clinton (D-NY) - voted 'yea' in 2001

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00044

Measure Number: S. 420 (Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001 )
Measure Title: An original bill to amend title 11, United States Code, and for other purposes. March 15, 2001, 06:07 PM


YEAs ---83
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Breaux (D-LA)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carnahan (D-MO)
Carper (D-DE)
Cleland (D-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Conrad (D-ND)
Daschle (D-SD)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Edwards (D-NC)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (D-FL)
Hollings (D-SC)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Miller (D-GA)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-NE)
Reid (D-NV)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Torricelli (D-NJ)
Wyden (D-OR)


NAYs ---15
Brownback (R-KS)
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Reed (D-RI)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Wellstone (D-MN)

Present - 1
Fitzgerald (R-IL)

Not Voting - 1
Boxer (D-CA)

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00036

[imenja]

97. Here are the votes

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00044

You can always find roll call votes on the US senate website: www.senate.gov

[moondust]

98. Are they setting up a network of suicide parlors with this?

Or have they opted to simply run the risk of finding some poor bastard at the end of his rope like the Lefkow killer in their basement?

[trapper914]

101. I Guess Bayh Never Wanted the Presidency

I've tolerated his "moderation" up to this point, but this vote is unconscienable (sp?). If Bayh or any of these other traitors to the American people end up on a national ticket, you can rest assured I'll pull the lever for whatever 3rd party is on the ballot.

[Mari333]

110. SOOOO many people will go under

Will there be shelters for them when they lose everything? NO
Will there be social agencies to keep them fed? NO
Will there be homeless families and individuals walking around even the smaller towns in the US? Yes
There already are homeless people in my small town, some living in cars...
Crime is on the rise, drug use and alcohol abuse and suicide will follow..
I am hunkering down and protecting myself and praying ...all my worst fears of this next 4 years are coming to pass before my eyes..

[emad]

114. Senate Passes New Bankruptcy Legislation

Guardian

Friday March 11, 2005 2:46 PM


By MARCY GORDON

AP Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The biggest rewrite of bankruptcy laws in 27 years is about to turn the path to a debt-free second start, undertaken by more than 1 million Americans each year, into a road less traveled.

A bankruptcy overhaul bill the Senate passed by a 74-25 vote on Thursday would require people with incomes above a certain level to pay credit-card charges, medical bills and other obligations under a court-ordered bankruptcy plan.

Between 30,000 and 210,000 people - from 3.5 percent to 20 percent of those who dissolve their debts in bankruptcy each year - would be disqualified from doing so under the legislation, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.

The legislation would set up an income-based test for measuring a debtor's ability to repay debts. It would require people in bankruptcy to pay for credit counseling and stiffen some legal requirements for debtors in the bankruptcy process.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4857998,00.html