Reply #3: It's unchristian too. [View All]

[Deep13]

Yep, could not have said it better myself.

The Old Testament makes lending at interest a sin, not borrowing. What is more, the Biblical "bankruptcy" code has all debts forgiven automatically every seven years. There is no application or liquidation of assets, it just happens every seventh year. Apparently, the writers of Leviticus and Dueteronomy were suspicious of the rise of a creditor class that preyed on the poor but contributed nothing to society.

Isn't one translation of the Lord's Prayer "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors?" Forgiveness of debts, grudges &c. is almost the very defintion of Jesus' teachings. Apparently, these good, Christian politicians didn't read that part.

I used to practice bankruptcy law. I always represented debtors and never creditors because I hated creditors and their lawyers. I liked nothing better than to present these collection assholes with a Federal court order telling them that their campaign of harassment was over. No more calling the clients, their employers or their relatives. No more lawsuits and garnishments. It was the only thing that regular people had on their side in the face of the corporate plutocracy.

By the way, there already is a means test. 11 USC 707(b) prohibits abusing the bankruptcy system. Courts interpret that to mean that if a person can repay his or her debts through a structured repayment plan, then that debtor is not eligible for a straight discharge.