Anyone care to defend Edwards (or Hillary) on the bankruptcy bill?

[dorkulon]

Let's face it: the bankruptcy bill was designed by and for banks and credit card companies. A lot of Democrats voted for it, and for me it was an eye-opener regarding how compromised the Dems were.

--
EDIT: Upon further review, Hillary and Edwards voted for a similar bankruptcy bill in 2001, which didn't pass. Neither voted for the 2005 bankruptcy bill which did pass--Hillary did not vote, and Edwards wasn't in the Senate at the time. Still, the thrust of my question still applies here, I think.
--

Hillary wouldn't say she regretted her 2001 vote (sounds familiar), but then "was happy" when the bill failed. Color me unsurprised to hear her triangulate her answer.

Edwards calls his vote a "mistake," but offered no real explanation. Indeed, what explanation could there be? Bad intel? I like Edwards' message--this time around--but how am I supposed to believe this guy if he was just another whore back in the Senate when he could have made a difference?

And before you all blast me: I am still undecided, although to be perfectly honest, I'm unlikely to vote for Hillary.

[flvegan]

1. Hang on...

:popcorn:

Okay, play ball!

[LostinVA]

2. Hillary didn't vote on it -- Bill was getting heart surgery

She did say that if her "nay" was needed, she would have flown to DC and voted.

[SOS]

7. She voted yes in 2001

Bill was held at desk, due to an anti-abortion complaint.
Same bill.
That's what Hillary was referring to when she said she was glad it didn't get signed into law.

[LostinVA]

8. It wasn't the same bill

And, I think it's disgusting it passed, and it's something I may never be able to forgive Biden for.

[SOS]

29. Almost the exact same bill

The 2001 bill did not allow anti-abortion activists to declare bankruptcy if they spent all their money on that issue.
The 2005 bill got rid of that. The 2001 bill was actually even worse.

Bill was held at desk and not forwarded to Bush in 2001, due to the anti-abortion provision.

[TahitiNut]

10. Sen. Stabenow (DLC- Mich) voted 'Yea' ... Sen. Stabenow is a superdelegate for Clinton.

Sen. Stabenow will NEVER get my vote ever again. For specific personal reasons I won't go into, theis is VERY real to me ... and very harmful. (Would you vote for a Senator that supported reversal of Roe v. Wade?)

[closeupready]

3. The bill didn't fail; it passed.

What bill are you talking about?

[dorkulon]

5. My mistake--the question was a little confusing.

RUSSERT: Bankruptcies are up 40 percent in one year, 5 percent of credit card debts are now delinquent. In 2001, you voted for a bankruptcy bill which was the precursor to the 2005 bankruptcy bill that become law, which made it much tougher for middle class folks, particularly women, when they became bankrupt.

So neither of them voted for the 2005 bankruptcy bill, but they both voted for a similar bill in 2001, which ultimately didn't pass.

I'll edit my OP to reflect this.

[Angela Shelley]

4. Please explain "bankruptcy bill"

:-)

[dorkulon]

6. Here's Matt Taibbi on the 2005 bill,

which passed--the bill both Edwards and Hillary voted for was from 2001, but similar in content.

--snip--

This admirably vicious piece of legislation—which one Harvard expert on bankruptcy described as having been "designed to point a thousand daggers squarely at the consumer in trouble"—will essentially make it next to impossible to declare personal bankruptcy.

The central feature of the bill is the creation of a so-called "means test," a mechanism that will employ the IRS to investigate the means and assets of individuals to determine if they are eligible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The test is elaborate and complicated, but the gist of it is that if you own your own underwear, you will not pass it. Other excellent provisions of the bill include an elimination of automatic stays of evictions, and the exclusion of certain types of student loans from Chapter 7 consideration.

The credit-card industry has been gnashing its teeth to get this bitch passed for about eight years. When it finally succeeded, it did so with margins of 302-126 in the House, and 74-25 in the Senate.

How did it manage those numbers? Among other things, the industry made some $7,978,034 in political contributions in 2004 alone, with $2,925,825 of that going to Democrats. Not surprisingly, some of its biggest contributions were to the leading Democrat traitor-whores who cheerleaded the thing through Congress. Among the top 20 recipients of credit-card money in the past year were Senate Democrats like Evan Bayh of Indiana, Harry Reid of Nevada, and the Delaware contingent of Tom Carper and Biden—all of whom voted for S.256.

With congressional legislation, it's always useful to look in the fine print, because the broad strokes of almost any bill can be made to sound quite sane. With the Bankruptcy Reform business, Bush-haters naturally pounced on the baldly hypocritical premise of the bill. They balked when Bush, in signing it into law, said, "If someone does not pay his or her debts, the rest of society ends up paying them." This from a man who's running massive federal deficits that our grandchildren will have to pay for; this from a man who ran up $3 million in bank debts as president of a failed company called Spectrum 7, only to be bailed out by a company called Harken.

The Bush-hating crowd can cry foul about this stuff all they want, and they obviously have a point in doing so. But the Bankruptcy Reform bill sounds reasonable on its face. If you borrow money, you should pay it, right? Why should it be Citibank's problem if you don't get a job?

Except that this bill goes out of its way to stick you even if the debts aren't your fault. In amendment after amendment leading up to the final vote on this bill, Republicans—with the help of a dependable group of contribution-rich Democrats—shot down every conceivable legitimate exemption to means testing. This included proposed exemptions for women whose debts were incurred due to non-payment of alimony and child support, for the dependent spouses of servicemen killed in action, and for people whose debts came about as a result of catastrophic medical problems.

But my absolute favorite is the amendment, proposed by Bill Nelson of Florida, to exempt from means testing individuals whose debts were incurred as a result of identity fraud. It would be hard to imagine any legitimate objection to this amendment. The only rational objection to this amendment would be that your tongue is so far up the ass of MBNA that you can't possibly vote for it. Which says something about the Senate; the amendment was crushed, 61-37.

--snip--

[Horse with no Name]

9. Oh I get it

People want to hold Edwards accountable for THIS (bad) bill that did NOT pass that he voted for, yet don't want to give him credit for a (good) bill that he authored that passed through the Senate but was held up in the House of Representatives.
He said last night he regretted his vote.
As far as having a change of heart...A lot has happened since 2001. I would have to say that I have changed my mind on a myriad of things BECAUSE of what has happened in this country. Look at the horrible things that have happened in this country.
Can you honestly say that there isn't a position you held in 2001 that you deplore today?

[Orsino]

11. Yeah. I'd like to believe that getting kicked out of Washington...

...was the best thing that could have happened to Edwards, and that he would now have the courage to vote against any similar measures if he were back in Congress. I haven't heard him pushing for repeal, though, and it's needed. Badly.

[OzarkDem]

22. Kicked out of Washington?

Sounds like GOP talking points. Got a link?

[Orsino]

28. Oh, I only meant losing his Senate seat.

GOP talking points might be gleeful on this point, too, but for different reasons. I think Edwards has put his time off to good use, and has learned a bit of progressivism. He can credibly run as an outsider again.

[LSK]

12. did you read it?

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00236

H.R.333
Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001 (Engrossed Amendment as Agreed to by Senate)
Beginning

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

TITLE I--NEEDS-BASED BANKRUPTCY

SEC. 101. CONVERSION.

SEC. 102. DISMISSAL OR CONVERSION.

`Sec. 707. Dismissal of a case or conversion to a case under chapter 11 or 13';

SEC. 103. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND STUDY.

SEC. 104. NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVES.

SEC. 105. DEBTOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING TEST PROGRAM.

SEC. 106. CREDIT COUNSELING.

`Sec. 111. Credit counseling services; financial management instructional courses

SEC. 107. SCHEDULES OF REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES.

TITLE II--ENHANCED CONSUMER PROTECTION
Subtitle A--Penalties for Abusive Creditor Practices

SEC. 201. PROMOTION OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

SEC. 202. EFFECT OF DISCHARGE.

SEC. 203. DISCOURAGING ABUSE OF REAFFIRMATION PRACTICES.

SEC. 204. PRESERVATION OF CLAIMS AND DEFENSES UPON SALE OF PREDATORY LOANS.

SEC. 205. GAO STUDY ON REAFFIRMATION PROCESS.

Subtitle B--Priority Child Support

SEC. 211. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION.

SEC. 212. PRIORITIES FOR CLAIMS FOR DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS.

SEC. 213. REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CONFIRMATION AND DISCHARGE IN CASES INVOLVING DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS.

SEC. 214. EXCEPTIONS TO AUTOMATIC STAY IN DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION PROCEEDINGS.

SEC. 215. NONDISCHARGEABILITY OF CERTAIN DEBTS FOR ALIMONY, MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT.

SEC. 216. CONTINUED LIABILITY OF PROPERTY.

SEC. 217. PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC SUPPORT CLAIMS AGAINST PREFERENTIAL TRANSFER MOTIONS.

SEC. 218. DISPOSABLE INCOME DEFINED.

SEC. 219. COLLECTION OF CHILD SUPPORT.

SEC. 220. NONDISCHARGEABILITY OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AND LOANS.

Subtitle C--Other Consumer Protections

SEC. 221. AMENDMENTS TO DISCOURAGE ABUSIVE BANKRUPTCY FILINGS.

SEC. 222. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

SEC. 223. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.

SEC. 224. PROTECTION OF RETIREMENT SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

SEC. 225. PROTECTION OF EDUCATION SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

SEC. 226. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 227. RESTRICTIONS ON DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.

`Sec. 526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies

SEC. 228. DISCLOSURES.

`Sec. 527. Disclosures

SEC. 229. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.

`Sec. 528. Requirements for debt relief agencies

SEC. 230. GAO STUDY.

SEC. 231. PROTECTION OF NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION.

SEC. 232. CONSUMER PRIVACY OMBUDSMAN.

SEC. 233. PROHIBITION ON DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY OF MINOR CHILDREN.

`Sec. 112. Prohibition on disclosure of identity of minor children

TITLE III--DISCOURAGING BANKRUPTCY ABUSE

SEC. 301. REINFORCEMENT OF THE FRESH START.

SEC. 302. DISCOURAGING BAD FAITH REPEAT FILINGS.

SEC. 303. CURBING ABUSIVE FILINGS.

SEC. 304. DEBTOR RETENTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITY.

SEC. 305. RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY WHEN THE DEBTOR DOES NOT COMPLETE INTENDED SURRENDER OF CONSUMER DEBT COLLATERAL.

SEC. 306. GIVING SECURED CREDITORS FAIR TREATMENT IN CHAPTER 13.

SEC. 307. DOMICILIARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIONS.

SEC. 308. LIMITATION.

SEC. 309. PROTECTING SECURED CREDITORS IN CHAPTER 13 CASES.

SEC. 310. LIMITATION ON LUXURY GOODS.

SEC. 311. AUTOMATIC STAY.

SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF PERIOD BETWEEN BANKRUPTCY DISCHARGES.

SEC. 313. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND ANTIQUES.

SEC. 314. DEBT INCURRED TO PAY NONDISCHARGEABLE DEBTS.

SEC. 315. GIVING CREDITORS FAIR NOTICE IN CHAPTERS 7 AND 13 CASES.

SEC. 316. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE SCHEDULES OR PROVIDE REQUIRED INFORMATION.

SEC. 317. ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE FOR HEARING ON CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN.

SEC. 318. CHAPTER 13 PLANS TO HAVE A 5-YEAR DURATION IN CERTAIN CASES.

SEC. 319. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXPANSION OF RULE 9011 OF THE FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE.

SEC. 320. PROMPT RELIEF FROM STAY IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.

SEC. 321. CHAPTER 11 CASES FILED BY INDIVIDUALS.

`Sec. 1115. Property of the estate

SEC. 322. EXCLUDING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE.

SEC. 323. EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN MATTERS INVOLVING BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS.

SEC. 324. UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM FILING FEE INCREASE.

SEC. 325. SHARING OF COMPENSATION.

SEC. 326. FAIR VALUATION OF COLLATERAL.

SEC. 327. DEFAULTS BASED ON NONMONETARY OBLIGATIONS.

SEC. 329. CLARIFICATION OF POSTPETITION WAGES AND BENEFITS.

TITLE IV--GENERAL AND SMALL BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--General Business Bankruptcy Provisions

SEC. 401. ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR INVESTORS.

SEC. 402. MEETINGS OF CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS.

SEC. 403. PROTECTION OF REFINANCE OF SECURITY INTEREST.

SEC. 404. EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES.

SEC. 405. CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS COMMITTEES.

SEC. 406. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 546 OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.

SEC. 407. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 330(a) OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.

SEC. 408. POSTPETITION DISCLOSURE AND SOLICITATION.

SEC. 409. PREFERENCES.

SEC. 410. VENUE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.

SEC. 411. PERIOD FOR FILING PLAN UNDER CHAPTER 11.

SEC. 412. FEES ARISING FROM CERTAIN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS.

SEC. 413. CREDITOR REPRESENTATION AT FIRST MEETING OF CREDITORS.

SEC. 414. DEFINITION OF DISINTERESTED PERSON.

SEC. 415. FACTORS FOR COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONS.

SEC. 416. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED TRUSTEE.

SEC. 417. UTILITY SERVICE.

SEC. 418. BANKRUPTCY FEES.

SEC. 419. MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING ASSETS OF THE ESTATE.

SEC. 420. DUTIES WITH RESPECT TO A DEBTOR WHO IS A PLAN ADMINISTRATOR OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN.

Subtitle B--Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions

SEC. 431. FLEXIBLE RULES FOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN.

SEC. 432. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 433. STANDARD FORM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN.

SEC. 434. UNIFORM NATIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

`Sec. 308. Debtor reporting requirements

SEC. 435. UNIFORM REPORTING RULES AND FORMS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CASES.

SEC. 436. DUTIES IN SMALL BUSINESS CASES.

`Sec. 1116. Duties of trustee or debtor in possession in small business cases

SEC. 437. PLAN FILING AND CONFIRMATION DEADLINES.

SEC. 438. PLAN CONFIRMATION DEADLINE.

SEC. 439. DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES TRUSTEE.

SEC. 440. SCHEDULING CONFERENCES.

SEC. 441. SERIAL FILER PROVISIONS.

SEC. 442. EXPANDED GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR CONVERSION AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEE.

SEC. 443. STUDY OF OPERATION OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE, WITH RESPECT TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

SEC. 444. PAYMENT OF INTEREST.

SEC. 445. PRIORITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

TITLE V--MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS

SEC. 501. PETITION AND PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO PETITION.

SEC. 502. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER SECTIONS TO CHAPTER 9.

TITLE VI--BANKRUPTCY DATA

SEC. 601. IMPROVED BANKRUPTCY STATISTICS.

`Sec. 159. Bankruptcy statistics

SEC. 602. UNIFORM RULES FOR THE COLLECTION OF BANKRUPTCY DATA.

`Sec. 589b. Bankruptcy data

SEC. 603. AUDIT PROCEDURES.

SEC. 604. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF BANKRUPTCY DATA.

TITLE VII--BANKRUPTCY TAX PROVISIONS

SEC. 701. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN LIENS.

SEC. 702. TREATMENT OF FUEL TAX CLAIMS.

SEC. 703. NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR A DETERMINATION OF TAXES.

SEC. 704. RATE OF INTEREST ON TAX CLAIMS.

`Sec. 511. Rate of interest on tax claims

SEC. 705. PRIORITY OF TAX CLAIMS.

SEC. 706. PRIORITY PROPERTY TAXES INCURRED.

SEC. 707. NO DISCHARGE OF FRAUDULENT TAXES IN CHAPTER 13.

SEC. 708. NO DISCHARGE OF FRAUDULENT TAXES IN CHAPTER 11.

SEC. 709. STAY OF TAX PROCEEDINGS LIMITED TO PREPETITION TAXES.

SEC. 710. PERIODIC PAYMENT OF TAXES IN CHAPTER 11 CASES.

SEC. 711. AVOIDANCE OF STATUTORY TAX LIENS PROHIBITED.

SEC. 712. PAYMENT OF TAXES IN THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.

SEC. 713. TARDILY FILED PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS.

SEC. 714. INCOME TAX RETURNS PREPARED BY TAX AUTHORITIES.

SEC. 715. DISCHARGE OF THE ESTATE'S LIABILITY FOR UNPAID TAXES.

SEC. 716. REQUIREMENT TO FILE TAX RETURNS TO CONFIRM CHAPTER 13 PLANS.

`Sec. 1308. Filing of prepetition tax returns

SEC. 717. STANDARDS FOR TAX DISCLOSURE.

SEC. 718. SETOFF OF TAX REFUNDS.

SEC. 719. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE TREATMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.

`Sec. 346. Special provisions related to the treatment of State and local taxes

SEC. 720. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE TAX RETURNS.

TITLE VIII--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES

SEC. 801. AMENDMENT TO ADD CHAPTER 15 TO TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.

`CHAPTER 15--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES

`Sec. 1501. Purpose and scope of application

`SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

`Sec. 1502. Definitions

`Sec. 1503. International obligations of the United States

`Sec. 1504. Commencement of ancillary case

`Sec. 1505. Authorization to act in a foreign country

`Sec. 1506. Public policy exception

`Sec. 1507. Additional assistance

`Sec. 1508. Interpretation

`SUBCHAPTER II--ACCESS OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES AND CREDITORS TO THE COURT

`Sec. 1509. Right of direct access

`Sec. 1510. Limited jurisdiction

`Sec. 1511. Commencement of case under section 301 or 303

`Sec. 1512. Participation of a foreign representative in a case under this title

`Sec. 1513. Access of foreign creditors to a case under this title

`Sec. 1514. Notification to foreign creditors concerning a case under this title

`SUBCHAPTER III--RECOGNITION OF A FOREIGN PROCEEDING AND RELIEF

`Sec. 1515. Application for recognition

`Sec. 1516. Presumptions concerning recognition

`Sec. 1517. Order granting recognition

`Sec. 1518. Subsequent information

`Sec. 1519. Relief that may be granted upon filing petition for recognition

`Sec. 1520. Effects of recognition of a foreign main proceeding

`Sec. 1521. Relief that may be granted upon recognition

`Sec. 1522. Protection of creditors and other interested persons

`Sec. 1523. Actions to avoid acts detrimental to creditors

`Sec. 1524. Intervention by a foreign representative

`SUBCHAPTER IV--COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN COURTS AND FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES

`Sec. 1525. Cooperation and direct communication between the court and foreign courts or foreign representatives

`Sec. 1526. Cooperation and direct communication between the trustee and foreign courts or foreign representatives

`Sec. 1527. Forms of cooperation

`SUBCHAPTER V--CONCURRENT PROCEEDINGS

`Sec. 1528. Commencement of a case under this title after recognition of a foreign main proceeding

`Sec. 1529. Coordination of a case under this title and a foreign proceeding

`Sec. 1530. Coordination of more than 1 foreign proceeding

`Sec. 1531. Presumption of insolvency based on recognition of a foreign main proceeding

`Sec. 1532. Rule of payment in concurrent proceedings

SEC. 802. OTHER AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 11 AND 28, UNITED STATES CODE.

`Sec. 1410. Venue of cases ancillary to foreign proceedings

TITLE IX--FINANCIAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS

SEC. 901. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BY CONSERVATORS OR RECEIVERS OF INSURED DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS.

SEC. 902. AUTHORITY OF THE CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO FAILED AND FAILING INSTITUTIONS.

SEC. 903. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TRANSFERS OF QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.

SEC. 904. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DISAFFIRMANCE OR REPUDIATION OF QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.

SEC. 905. CLARIFYING AMENDMENT RELATING TO MASTER AGREEMENTS.

SEC. 906. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1991.

SEC. 907. BANKRUPTCY CODE AMENDMENTS.

`Sec. 555. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a securities contract';

`Sec. 556. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a commodities contract or forward contract';

`Sec. 559. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a repurchase agreement';

`Sec. 560. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a swap agreement';

SEC. 907A. SECURITIES BROKER/COMMODITY BROKER LIQUIDATION.

SEC. 908. RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS.

SEC. 909. EXEMPTIONS FROM CONTEMPORANEOUS EXECUTION REQUIREMENT.

SEC. 910. DAMAGE MEASURE.

SEC. 911. SIPC STAY.

SEC. 912. ASSET-BACKED SECURITIZATIONS.

SEC. 913. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

SEC. 914. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

TITLE X--PROTECTION OF FAMILY FARMERS AND FAMILY FISHERMEN

SEC. 1001. PERMANENT REENACTMENT OF CHAPTER 12.

SEC. 1002. DEBT LIMIT INCREASE.

SEC. 1003. CERTAIN CLAIMS OWED TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.

SEC. 1004. DEFINITION OF FAMILY FARMER.

SEC. 1006. PROHIBITION OF RETROACTIVE ASSESSMENT OF DISPOSABLE INCOME.

SEC. 1007. FAMILY FISHERMEN.

`Sec. 1232. Additional provisions relating to family fishermen

TITLE XI--HEALTH CARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

SEC. 1101. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 1102. DISPOSAL OF PATIENT RECORDS.

`Sec. 351. Disposal of patient records

SEC. 1103. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CLAIM FOR COSTS OF CLOSING A HEALTH CARE BUSINESS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

SEC. 1104. APPOINTMENT OF OMBUDSMAN TO ACT AS PATIENT ADVOCATE.

`Sec. 332. Appointment of ombudsman

SEC. 1105. DEBTOR IN POSSESSION; DUTY OF TRUSTEE TO TRANSFER PATIENTS.

SEC. 1106. EXCLUSION FROM PROGRAM PARTICIPATION NOT SUBJECT TO AUTOMATIC STAY.

TITLE XII--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

SEC. 1201. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 1202. ADJUSTMENT OF DOLLAR AMOUNTS.

SEC. 1203. EXTENSION OF TIME.

SEC. 1204. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

SEC. 1205. PENALTY FOR PERSONS WHO NEGLIGENTLY OR FRAUDULENTLY PREPARE BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS.

SEC. 1206. LIMITATION ON COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONS.

SEC. 1207. EFFECT OF CONVERSION.

SEC. 1208. ALLOWANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

SEC. 1209. EXCEPTIONS TO DISCHARGE.

SEC. 1210. EFFECT OF DISCHARGE.

SEC. 1211. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.

SEC. 1212. PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE.

SEC. 1213. PREFERENCES.

SEC. 1214. POSTPETITION TRANSACTIONS.

SEC. 1215. DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE.

SEC. 1216. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

SEC. 1217. ABANDONMENT OF RAILROAD LINE.

SEC. 1218. CONTENTS OF PLAN.

SEC. 1219. BANKRUPTCY CASES AND PROCEEDINGS.

SEC. 1220. KNOWING DISREGARD OF BANKRUPTCY LAW OR RULE.

SEC. 1221. TRANSFERS MADE BY NONPROFIT CHARITABLE CORPORATIONS.

SEC. 1222. PROTECTION OF VALID PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY INTERESTS.

SEC. 1223. BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIPS.

SEC. 1224. COMPENSATING TRUSTEES.

SEC. 1225. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 362 OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.

SEC. 1226. JUDICIAL EDUCATION.

SEC. 1227. RECLAMATION.

SEC. 1228. PROVIDING REQUESTED TAX DOCUMENTS TO THE COURT.

SEC. 1229. ENCOURAGING CREDITWORTHINESS.

SEC. 1230. PROPERTY NO LONGER SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION.

SEC. 1231. TRUSTEES.

SEC. 1232. BANKRUPTCY FORMS.

SEC. 1233. EXPEDITED APPEALS OF BANKRUPTCY CASES TO COURTS OF APPEALS.

SEC. 1234. EXEMPTIONS.

SEC. 1235. INVOLUNTARY CASES.

SEC. 1236. FEDERAL ELECTION LAW FINES AND PENALTIES AS NONDISCHARGEABLE DEBT.

SEC. 1237. NO BANKRUPTCY FOR INSOLVENT POLITICAL COMMITTEES.

TITLE XIII--CONSUMER CREDIT DISCLOSURE

SEC. 1301. ENHANCED DISCLOSURES UNDER AN OPEN END CREDIT PLAN.

SEC. 1302. ENHANCED DISCLOSURE FOR CREDIT EXTENSIONS SECURED BY A DWELLING.

SEC. 1303. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO `INTRODUCTORY RATES'.

SEC. 1304. INTERNET-BASED CREDIT CARD SOLICITATIONS.

SEC. 1305. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO LATE PAYMENT DEADLINES AND PENALTIES.

SEC. 1306. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR FAILURE TO INCUR FINANCE CHARGES.

SEC. 1307. DUAL USE DEBIT CARD.

SEC. 1308. STUDY OF BANKRUPTCY IMPACT OF CREDIT EXTENDED TO DEPENDENT STUDENTS.

SEC. 1309. CLARIFICATION OF CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS.

TITLE XIV--EMERGENCY ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND CONSERVATION MEASURES

SEC. 1401. SHORT TITLE.

SEC. 1402. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

SEC. 1403. INCREASED FUNDING FOR LIHEAP, WEATHERIZATION AND STATE ENERGY GRANTS.

SEC. 1404. FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT REVIEWS.

SEC. 1405. COST SAVINGS FROM REPLACEMENT FACILITIES.

SEC. 1406. REPEAL OF ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT SUNSET.

SEC. 1407. ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACT DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 1408. EFFECTIVE DATE.

TITLE XV--GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS

SEC. 1501. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

TITLE XVI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 1601. REIMBURSEMENT OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.

SEC. 1602. STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF THE BANKRUPTCY REFORM ACT OF 2001.

[dorkulon]

14. What's your point here?

I mean yeah, that's a lot of chapter headings. Great.

[LSK]

15. well if it bothers you so much

You would know what exactly in the bill bothers you so much right?

[dorkulon]

17. That thing is like War & Peace.

This is like saying you can't form an opinion on Yucca mountain without climbing the damn thing.

I know what I don't like about the 2005 bill--without having read it. I know that the 2001 bill is more similar than different. No, I'm not an expert on the 2001 bill, but I'm willing to bet there's nothing in there that makes it a milestone in worker's rights.

Have you read it?

[LSK]

18. no I have not read it

And I am not making posts about it bothering me.

[dorkulon]

19. Well, I sure hope you never have a problem with any legislation ever again

because you've set a pretty high standard for criticism here.

[LSK]

20. that one should read legislation before they criticize it?

Yes I am tough on standards like that.

:eyes:

[dorkulon]

21. So really--you read every word of every bill before uttering a word about them?

Really?

Read the whole text of the Patriot Act, did you? How about the Energy Bill? The Terri Schiavo legislation? No Child Left Behind? Really? Every word?

Sure you did. :eyes:

[dorkulon]

24. Nothing to say?

Guess you're too busy reading.

[paulk]

13. Edwards also voted yes on the bankruptcy bills

that Bill Clinton vetoed - two of them - which were essentially the same as the 2001 bill. This is a definite black mark against him, and very difficult to explain.

Hillary has a mixed record - she opposed the two bankruptcy bills that her husband vetoed, going as far as writing op eds against them. As Senator she voted "yes" after getting an amendment passed that protected women and children in certain circumstances - which was her major objection to the earlier bills. She is on record as opposing the 2005 bill - the one which eventually passed and was the worst one of all of them.

[LSK]

16. was minimum wage increases in either of them?

[paulk]

23. explain the relevancy of your post

[AtomicKitten]

25. Edwards cops to it and apologizes -- Hillary not so much.

For the longest time I failed to discern the difference, but it is as clear as day now.

[KoKo]

26. She was interviewed on CNBC this a.m. and said we needed Bankruptcy Reform to keep folks in their

houses. I wondered at the time if she would be asked about the Bankruptcy bill. In general she did pretty good at slamming Country Wide Mortgage and it's CEO getting the millions for defrauding people. She focused on the business practices that led to folks being given these mortgages. I wondered why no one asked her about Rubin at Citibank (also in the tank for bad loans) who was an architect of the Clinton's financial policies during their two terms.

But, I thought she was pretty impressive in addressing the issues.

[MagickMuffin]

27. The way I see things is like this..............

Suppose the Democrats had voted on a certain Bill, then the republicon congress takes that already voted on Bill and ADD extra little tidbits that NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT.

This HAS happened in the past. The US Attorneys scandal is ONE of the incidents THIS has happened.

So, perhaps the republipiggies slipped more into the BILL, after it had already been VOTED ON.


Just a little food for thought.