February 24, 2008

Bankruptcy Reform Law - A Political Cost To Hurting Consumers?

Credit Slips is a wonderful blog written by professors about consumer issues. The most recent post is by Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard professor. The title is The New Politics of Bankruptcy.

We recommend you read this article as it discusses the beginnings of a backlash against those in Congress who voted for the change in the bankruptcy law that has harmed so many consumers across the country. Here is a brief excerpt:

Recently Albert Winn, a long-time Congressman from Maryland, was challenged in the primary for his seat. His opponent, Donna Edwards, campaigned on several issues, but among the most prominent was her opponent's vote for the 2005 bankruptcy legislation. He had ignored the needs of his constituents, she argued, and favored the financial interests whose executives (not coincidentally) gave his campaign financial support. Ms. Edwards defeated that incumbent in a landslide (60%-32%).

Read the rest of this article and be sure and let your elected officials what you think about them not taking into account the needs of consumers. The big banks may have the money, but we still can be felt by voting and expressing our opinions....

January 13, 2008

Congress Considers Prohibiting Certain Types of Mandatory Arbitration

We have discussed in some detail the problems with mandatory arbitration for Alabama consumers. Paul Bland of Public Justice alerted us to an article in the L.A. Times that we had missed dealing with movement in Congress to protect consumers from having to deal with mandatory arbitration.

Here are some excerpts of this well written and balanced article:

Critics of the provisions say they deny consumers and employees a basic American principle: the right to go to court.
"People from all walks of life -- employees, investors, homeowners, those enrolled in HMOs, credit card holders and other consumers -- often find themselves strong-armed into mandatory arbitration agreements," said Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D-Wis.), who is sponsoring one of the measures aimed at making arbitration voluntary rather than mandatory.

Continue reading "Congress Considers Prohibiting Certain Types of Mandatory Arbitration" »

January 5, 2008

Consumer Friendly Bills in Congress in 2007? Actually, Yes!

Perhaps our favorite blog, the Consumerist, has a very nice listing of the consumer friendly bills that were at least considered by Congress last year (still feels funny saying 2007 was "last year" but....). Please check this out and encourage your representatives and senators to keep you and these bills in mind as they get back to work.