why it's important -- no, CRITICAL -- that you contact your Senator . . .

[OneBlueSky]

and, particularly, your Congressperson regading the bankruptcy bill . . . simply put, most of them very likely haven't read the bill and don't know what's in it . . . and what's NOT in it . . .

most of what happens on Capitol Hill vis-a-vis legislation happens at the Congressional staff level . . . it's the staff who read the bills, propose amendments, and tell the Senator or Member how to vote . . . since they themselves have to spend all of their time shmoozing with their corporate sponsors and raising more money, most bills are passed without those who are voting every having read them . . . they've just been told about them . . .

if you remember how the USA Patriot Act was passed, you'll recall that it's a huge document that wasn't presented to House and Senate members until the very last minute . . . when they voted, none of them had read it or knew what was in it . . . same thing's happening with this bankruptcy bill . . . other than the few Senators who are leading the fight for and against, most others are just going along with what their staff's and their colleagues are telling them . . . this is true of both Democrats AND Republicans . . . ESPECIALLY Republicans . . .

so they all need to be educated . . . write to them, and make your letter as specific as possible . . . point out that the bill doesn't protect victims of catastrophic illness, or Iraq War veterans, or the elderly . . . maybe knowing what's in the bill -- and what's not -- will open some eyes and change some votes . . .

[bilgewaterbill]

1. Is there somewhere to go to read the bill? nt

[newyawker99]

10. Hi bilgewaterbill!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bilgewaterbill]

20. Thanks! nt

[merh]

2. Link to a site that helps prepare and send emails to your senators

http://ga3.org/campaign/senateindebt

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3207241

[merh]

3. The Bankruptcy bill has not passed yet!

Take action folks - contact your senator!!!

http://ga3.org/campaign/senateindebt

[WLKjr]

4. Is the bill published on the internet yet?

I want to go through and read it, then send a letter out.

[merh]

6. S. 256: Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-256

Another thread in GD Politics on this
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1640061

==============

A petition opposing the legislation

"Should there be a filibuster of the bankruptcy bill?"

Why don't you tell Congress where you stand? Here, we'll make it easy for you. All you have to do is fill in one form now and with one click we will send your personal message to both of your senators, your house representative too. We'll even look them up based on your address and tell you who they are. Just a few simple words from you mean more than any form letter can. Please read the question carefully to make sure your vote matches your comments.

The Senate Republican leaders have now filed for cloture (a move to preclude a filibuter) on the bankruptcy abuse prevention act, which will be voted on this coming Tuesday. With the exception of a minor rewording of the definition of "special circumstances" every proposed amendment, including restrictions on predatory lending practices and corporate retirement fund theft so far has been blocked. If you think the bill should now be passed as is, then vote "No", otherwise if you believe it does not strike a fair balance between the rights of consumers and power of banks and credit card companies, then vote "Yes". Feel free to address any additional issues in your personal message. Even if you don't think your particular representatives would agree with your position it is important for them to hear from you.

http://www.usalone.com/bankruptcy.htm

[WLKjr]

7. Thank you, bookmarking.

[merh]

8. you are welcome!

I hope you consider sending emails to your senator(s) and/or signing the petition!

[WLKjr]

11. Working on it

[merh]

13. Thanking you again and kicking the thread. n/t

:hi:

[merh]

19. Keep this alive and take a stand against this atrocity!

:kick:

[Ladyhawk]

5. Kick!!! n/t

[madmark]

9. Its outrageous they don't read these things; Its their job for christ's

sake.

[moggie12]

12. yes, this is critical!!!!

In their rush to jam the Bankruptcy bill down our throats, the Republicans are putting themselves on record as being the world's BIGGEST HYPOCRITES. I urge you to get on the phone and call your Senators and Representatives. Please send them e-mail, too, and send letters to your local newspapers!!

This is a LTTE I wrote to my local paper -- feel free to use it. Or just take it as a starting point for your own letter. If anyone has another letter people can use, please post it!!


Sample letter:
"I am appalled by the actions taken by Senate Republicans over the past few days as they have sought to push through Senator Charles Grassley's bankruptcy reform bill. While I agree that people who recklessly run up bills should be forced to pay their debts, the bill as currently written sweeps away protections for worthy and unworthy debtors alike: Under Seneator Grassley's bill, senior citizens who have huge medical bills are treated just as harshly as 30-year-old yuppies who run up their credit cards charging big screen TV's and expensive vacations! Instead of rectifying this glaring defect in the bill, Senate Republicans have spent the last few days defeating amendments designed to protect people whose financial difficulties occurred through no fault of their own: To rush the bill through, Republicans have voted en masse against amendments that would have given some measure of protection to people whose indebtedness was caused by huge medical bills, identity theft, or the need to care for a sick family member. At the same time, Senate Republicans, with the exception of Lincoln Chaffee (RI), voted against an amendment that would have limited the amount of money wealthy people can put into trusts that allow them to shield their assets from bankruptcy! They also voted against a so-called "homestead exemption" that would enable the elderly and those driven to bankruptcy by medical expenses to keep their homes. Meanwhile, wealthy people facing financial sanctions can legally shield their money by buying huge homes in Florida and Texas, states whose laws protect homes, regardless of the value, from being touched by the bankruptcy courts. Does this not seem hypocritical and unfair? Every last cent will be wrung from average Americans who've encountered severe problems, while those with substantial assets are allowed to shelter them?? Fat-cat executives who've driven their companies into bankruptcy will get to keep their mansions and their money while hard-working Americans who have had the misfortune to become sick or had some other tragedy befall them will be treated like irresponsible spendthrifts?? For the life of me, I can't understand how the Republican Senators could have voted against these amendments. What is our country coming to when we treat our fellow citizens this way? How could something like this happen in the US Senate??"



Thanks if you can take the time to do this -- and please keep this kicked......


Info sources for those who want to get up to speed on this issue:
http://nytimes.com/2005/03/04/business/04bankrupt.html
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/latimests/2005...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/02/business/02bankrupt.h...



One of my previous posts about the bankrptucy bill, urging people with Republican Seantors to call, fax and e-mail them.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3218252

[DebJ]

14. bankruptcy bill jeopardizes child support in favor of cc companies

see this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3223654

[Mandate My Ass]

15. This bill has come up in every session since the late 90's

and it was defeated each time because it's literally written by the credit card companies for their own enrichment. They know by now what it's about.

Still, it is urgent that we make as much noise as possible because the media is stonewalling on this issue.

[DebJ]

16. but remember, they have a Man Date now!

[Mandate My Ass]

18. LOL

Thank goodness I didn't change my user name to Man Date My Ass!

[Padraig18]

17. After 10 years and 6 attempts, I assume they DO know what's in it.

eom