Bankruptcy Bill Shifts Bad-Loan Responsibility

Thank you for another timely column from Robert Scheer (“Another Bankrupt Idea From Congress,” Commentary, July 30). Just the day before, I sat with my 77-year-old mother in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing room, hoping her petition to file Chapter 7 would be approved.

When our father passed away 13 years ago, our mother decided that her role would be that of the beneficent grandmother. She bought gifts for every birthday and holiday and, as the grandchildren got older, repaired their cars and often paid their rent. This was all on a tiny Social Security payment and a small income from a part-time job. When she maxed-out one credit card, there was another bank waiting eagerly to provide her with another. Eventually she had incurred nearly $50,000 of credit card debt and didn’t have enough money left over every month to pay for the basic necessities of life.

The banks themselves use arguments that ring of the tobacco companies’ vile plaints: We don’t make people run up credit card debt; we can’t help it if they can’t keep themselves from overspending. What rot! Above all, these companies shouldn’t ask the government to bail them out of all the intemperate business decisions they have made.

By the way, Mom’s petition was granted.

Marie Wells

Northridge

*

Scheer is right, Congress’ actions are speaking louder than its words. At nearly 30% interest, are the credit card companies not making enough money? Maybe they should be more careful about whom they extend credit to. Maybe they should start by not giving credit cards to college students who have no income.

Concerning Scheer’s quote of Ezekiel 22:12, and so far as Congress is concerned, you could shorten it substantially and it would be most appropriate. Something like “Thou hast ... forgotten me, saith the Lord God.” Some of the harshest words that God has in the Bible are for those who take advantage of widows and orphans. When will this nation do what is right?

Jim Allen

Orange

*

Our legislators are working hard to make it more difficult for individuals who file for bankruptcy, creating provisions that would not dismiss debts as in past arrangements. I don’t get it! Big corporations go bankrupt, and those who have invested in them lose everything. And how can a government that is deeply in debt, which is essentially the same thing as being bankrupt, keep spending money it doesn’t have, whereas an individual cannot? Talk about hypocritical unfairness!

Robert C. Lutes

Temple City