Home > Duluth.Talk > Archives > 2007 > April > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDon’t fall victim to title loan bloodsuckers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My roommate recently came to me and told me something that nearly made my heart sink.
“Dude, I almost got one of those title loans.”
Titled car loans are short-term, high interest loans that use a borrower’s car title as collateral. They produce fast cash with little hassle. However, borrowers often do not understand the ultimate price of their title loan - which is cryptically hidden in contracts with confusing financial language.
According to georgiawatch.org, a consumer affairs watch dog that monitors business practice that affects Georgians, “when borrowers cannot keep up with payments on the triple-digit interest common in the business, title lenders take possession of borrowers’ cars - oftentimes their only transportation to work, the grocery store and doctors’ offices.”
My roommate had been out of work for a couple of months. He’d been through the Christmas holidays, had the normal bills to pay — including car insurance — and he was having a difficult time getting his feet back on the ground. He found himself in a position similar to those that get targeted by these “financial institutions.” He was desperate.
He owned a car, and he thought that using this as collateral would be an easy way to catch up on bills and payments until things got back to normal.
The AJC did a series of articles a couple of years ago — 2005, to be exact — about how people had lost their cars to the repo man because they got nailed by these loans. Fortunately, I remembered a lot of these stories and related them to my roommate.
“Man, how can these people get away with that,” he asked when I was done.
“Landowners had to make money off of the sharecroppers. We’ve swapped plows and horses for cars. The landlords got rid of their overalls and shotguns and replaced them with suits and lawyers,” I told him.
He had other options. He had his parents. He had me. There was no way I was going to let him fall into bed with these leeches.
He has since found gainful employment, doing work that he really enjoys. He’s getting back on its feet, much sooner now than he would have if he had taken that loan.
I feel bad for those people who don’t have other options like he does. I feel bad that there are bloodsuckers who prey every day for those people who don’t have other options. A fair profit is one thing. Legalized robbery is an entirely different matter.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Bill Allen
Comments
By No sympahty
April 3, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
Only desperate people and idiots use these “services.” 99% of the time the desperate people’s own ignorant behavior has delivered themselves into those straits. And then into the clutches of the bloodsuckers. If people acted more responsibly to begin with, titlemax wouldn’t exist.
By Reba
April 3, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
I’ve watched as Lawrenceville has welcomed those types of businesses with open arms. We have check cashing stores, pawn shops and title loan shops, with another title loan business trying to set up shop here. We don’t need another one, preying on the “less fortunate” people. Simonton Elementary is up to 64% free/reduced lunch students, Richards Middle school is up to 61%, and Central Gwinnett is up to 46%. Lawrenceville is not attracting high quality residents, and it is not attracting high quality businesses.
Lawrenceville needs to do a better job of attracting good businesses. Businesses that prey upon and attract desperate people are not good businesses, and they make the existing problems here much worse.
By Kerry
April 3, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
I am gainfully employed and make a decent living. However, I cannot bring myself to say that anyone who takes out a title loan is an idiot. that is shameful. to a person facing eviction or a power outage, this may seem like a viable option. Yes, I know, it is not, but I’m saying not all people see it that way. They only exist in the here and now.
Is this responsible behavior? No. Does it make them an idiot? hardly. ‘No Sympathy’, I have sympathy for your hard heart.
People need financial education as much as other forms of education.
By Shaun
April 3, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
I am a college and post college educated woman who fell into a situation that I felt that gettting one of these loans was the only way out. I lost my car and my dignity in the process. I agree that they are bloodsuckers but I also agree with the commenter that most people in these situation need financial help. I have sense learned to create a budget and have started saving. My situation was due the layoffs and the poor economy. I am happy to be back on my feet but will support any legislation to outlaw these horrible loans.
By Watcher
April 3, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Have you seen the commercials for these places, it is obvious who they are targeting…You don’t see an average white guy in a single one of those commercials, they are all minorities, one of them is even in Spanish
By Adam
April 3, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Why not have them cap the allowable interest rate charge, similiar to what credit cards can do? It’s absurd to think that an asset backed loan is charged over 300% interest while an unsecured credit card cannot go over 30% something…
By Lola
April 3, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
@ Watcher - they target the groups that have historically been the ones to use them. That’s just smart marketing and nothing else. That said, these places do prey on the ignorant (not stupid) people who have no sense of financial responsibility and have most likely never had a savings account or stayed within a budget. It’s unfortunate, but there should be no laws that protect people from their own bad habits or poor choices. That’s where personal responsibility needs to come into effect.
By Ronnie B
April 3, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
While typing this comment, I noticed a story about a mother hoping to make her child available to child predators. At the same time, I’m noticing predatory business practices.
That some people see being a predator—for any reason—as “smart” or otherwise justifiable is not only alarming, but indicates that the supporter of predatory practices is just as scummy and slimy as the predator.
By Michael H. Smith
April 3, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
Playing the devils advocate, though NOT in disagreement with some finer details that might be contained in the previous comments made, a few observation are given hereafter for the sake of keeping a certain balance in the overall.
Yes it is true government has no business protecting a person from making bad choices. However, government has in a fiduciary the trust of serving and protecting the public greater good. When empirical evidence reveals the presence of what is clearly a menacing predatory within society the fiduciary obligation of government is to protect the general welfare of the public at large. Simply said, because there is someone dumb enough to be a victim, that doesn’t mean our government should be dumb enough to allow or facilitate the creation or existence of a known menacing predator. Two wrongs never make a right; and in this case, three!
In this great country even in a small town like Lawrenceville opportunity seems omnipresent. Where in fact formidable obstacles may abound to the contrary, again the fiduciary obligation of government is clearly to create an environment conducive to removal of formidable barriers; even to the extent that wealth creation and distribution can abound to deliver good fortune unto the heretofore considered less fortunate among us. However to the slothful thereafter is the cause given for the use of the “BIG STICK” government possesses in lieu of the all gracious carrot.
The misconduct of businesses and citizenry alike is reason enough for the conduct of governance to undergo scrutiny from the federal to the local, where the rules of fair play are clearly being jeopardized and violated to serve the greater evil.
Everything from the lending laws to immigration to taxation to education to trade to energy to healthcare to etc. to etc needs major reforms in this country. I’m glad this election cycle will prove to be one of the longest on record. Someone might actually get serious about the important issues.
By Will
April 3, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
It all comes down to personal responsibility. Generally, their option is to sell the car to pay their debts, leaving the person witout transprotation; or to take out a title loan and hope they can catch up. The number of title loans went up drastically when our brilliant politicians did away with “Payday” loans in Georgia. People used payday loans to keep their bank accounts from bouncing checks all over the place, at significantly lower cost than the exhorbitant fees charged by the “acceptable” FDIC banking industry. Things get out hand for these people when they buy lottery tickets and 40’s instead of going straight to the lender to repay their intially small loans. Then they want to scream persecution when their loans grow beyond manageability. What starts as a tremendous service to people with no other financial resources then becomes a predatory “bloodsucker” when the individuals in question continue shirking their responsibilities to pay their debts.
By Adam
April 3, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Anyone know the names of the owners of these stores? Who are the bloodsuckers? Do they own the legislature to keep this legal? Call them out!!!
By Shelly
April 3, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Good for all of you with your Holier than thou attitudes. Its easy to judge, but hopefully you will not ever have a major life changing event happen in your life and thank God that there is somewhere that you can get help when there is no where else to go. Just as anything if you pay it off quickly and on time it can help out.
By pattygirl
April 3, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
I strongly agree with all the comments,I feel that they should not be operating again ever, I too feel once you are in their clutches, you become hooked. I did get my vehicle back, but it cost me and a lesson well learned, they are very senseless and heartless, so my people if this is your only option, think fist If anyone as seem the sopranos on A&E you know what kind of people these are, the head person for the lending institution is he white or jew?think about it, should I say more, I think if the people in government and state senators are okay with it, then why can’t they do something about the irs, they are predatory as well, think about it, so people think first about your options before going to then and what will happen, look at what you bring home, your financial responsibilities, it is better safe than sorry because in the end you will feel better. remember your creditors would be better responsive to you than you think.
By Cletus Snow
April 3, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
Payday and title loan companies prey on the desperate and uneducated amoung us like a pack of wolves on crack,thier only interest is making money.It’s a shame that our legislature is allowing the the predators to operate in Georgia, many other states have run them out.If they are to operate in Georgia There should be limits on the amount of interest and fees they are allowed to charge. The bottom line is they should be run out of Ga. like the vultures that they are.
By Debt-free except for the mortgage (praise the Lord!)
April 3, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
**”Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is SLAVE to the lender.” - Proverbs 22:7.
For outstanding financial resources that can help anyone beat debt and build wealth the right way, check out www.crown.org or wwww.daveramsey.com. These organizations have made a HUGE, positive impact on my family’s personal finances. I heartily recommend them to anyone who is sick and tired of feeling sick and tired with respect to their financial situation.
“If being broke is normal, why be normal?” - Dave Ramsey
By Timeless Wisdom
April 3, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
**”JUST AS THE RICH RULE THE POOR, SO THE BORROWER IS SLAVE TO THE LENDER.” - PROVERBS 22:7
“THE WISE MAN SAVES FOR THE FUTURE, BUT THE FOOLISH MAN SPENDS WHATEVER HE GETS.” - PROVERBS 21:20
“FOR WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND FORFEIT HIS SOUL?” - MARK 8:36**
By The Truth
April 3, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
DISHONEST MONEY DWINDLES AWAY, BUT HE WHO GATHERS MONEY LITTLE BY LITTLE MAKES IT GROW. - PROVERBS 13:11
By Simplicity versus prudence
April 3, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
A SIMPLE MAN BELIEVES ANYTHING, BUT A PRUDENT MAN GIVES THOUGHT TO HIS STEPS - PROVERBS 14:15
By The Answer
April 3, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
HE WHO OPPRESSES THE POOR SHOWS CONTEMPT FOR THIER MAKER, BUT WHOEVER IS KIND TO THE NEEDY HONORS GOD - PROVERBS 14:31
By Folly versus Understanding
April 3, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
“Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course.” - Proverbs 15:21
By Basics from the Bible
April 3, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
“A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.” - Proverbs 15:27
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!” - Proverbs 16:16
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” - Proverbs 16:25
“A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.” - Proverbs 16:29
“Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” - Proverbs 17:16
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for what he has done.” - Proverbs 19:17
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” - Proverbs 20:17
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” - Proverbs 21:5
By Beth
April 3, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
I never really considered those places — something didn’t seem right about them if they were advertised on the telly.
I will say this, though — as a young adult, I’ve had to give myself my own financial education. A lot of it was learned the hard way, as my parents were too busy running the streets to teach much… not that they had any viable lessons to share, as they come to me now for bus fare and rent money. [Well, they ask, anyway, but I’ve long since stopped giving.]
I had a caring grandmother in my corner, but she isn’t exactly the most keen financial advisor.
It’s funny — when I initially moved out away from my family, I payed all my bills on time, every month, paid off my credit card balances every month, even if I had to forego a luxury. All this at age 18. But when I had to come back home a couple of years later, I started picking up their attitudes, and so doing, ruined my credit. I even saw them taking up some of this payday lending and going to pawn shops, but I could never figure that stuff out.
Well, anyway, I’m hopefully learning from their mistakes and mine. I’ve savings and checking and 401[k], and I’m back in school, determined to budget and save and not be a burden on anyone, especially a society that helped me eat free lunch in grade school and have access to health care as a kid.
Hopefully I’m paying my dues, and I intend to share what I’ve learned with the youth around me who perhaps, as was the case with me, aren’t receiving the best lesson in fiscal responsibility in life. [Even the not-so-young. I’m trying to get my 40-something parents to prepare for retirement, to save up at least a month’s worth of rent, to try and attain something with equity… lost cause so far, but I guess it takes a village to raise a parent in America.]
Some folks talk about “The Man” and how oppressive he is, but I think they falsely identify him. He’s of no particular race, but is rather the ignorance and self-hatred that leads folks of any race or locale into making destructive choices for self and progeny — such as the poor financial planning evidenced by the payday lending/title loan/check cashing-by-necessity crew.
I hate that so much of the rhetoric in the blog commentary is racially-charged, but at least folks make many interesting points that I have benefited from. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and insights.
By A Testimony of Triumph
April 3, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
**Dear friends,
As one who has personally experienced my own bondage to financial debt, I can empathize with those who find themselves enslaved to a lender of any type (payday, title pawn, credit cards, automobile dealers, mortgage companies).
I found the debt solution to be squarely rooted in the timeless wisdom of God’s inspired Word, the Holy Bible.
Say what you will about this book … of course, not everyone subscribes to its claims of inerrancy and absolute truth (although I do believe those things).
Almost assuredly, some will come forward to belittle and mock my devotion to this eternal text. They are certainly free (and even welcome) to do so!
A proverb, simply defined, is a wise saying. Regardless of one’s opinion about the Bible, it would seem difficult to argue with the simple observations found in Proverbs.
I have attempted, under various names, to introduce some of the Bible’s key verses that relate to money. After scanning through 20 chapters, I got tired of recording all the verses!
For the curious, for the frustrated, for the truth-seekers, I encourage you to check out the rest of Proverbs for yourself. Allow the God-breathed, inspired, infallible, sufficient, eternal, true, inerrant, Word of Almighty God to penetrate your heart and mind. God’s Word really needs no introduction and no explanation … it stands entirely on its own merit!
God’s wisdom regarding money and finances has absolutely, completely, and wonderfully changed my family’s own economic situation. This is not a “Gospel of Prosperity” that I am promoting; to the contrary, it is simply about an average family that got sick and tired of being defeated with money, sick and tired of being enslaved to debt, and sick and tired of having no plan to do things the right way.
I pray that this brief testimony will encourage someone to seek truth for themselves and experience a “Purpose-Driven Life” that will put them on a “Free and Clear” path to “True Financial Freedom”.
God bless you all, Free in Christ Jesus
www.crown.org www.daveramsey.com**
By Charles
April 4, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
I have a full time job & a college degree, and live below my means. However, last year close to Christmas, I found myself in a spot, with nobody that could help until after the holidays. The good folks at Title Max, don’t tell you hidden in the fine print if your late 1 day, there is no grace period. Thereby putting you in so called default were you ethier have to come up with all the money, or turn your truck in. Also hidden in the fine print is the fact that you have know recourse for abrsaive or harrsing behavior from the good folks at #!#&($. They don’t tell you that you are signing away your rights through something called “Binding abratation”
By Charles
April 4, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
I have a full time job & a college degree, and live below my means. However, last year close to Christmas, I found myself in a spot, with nobody that could help until after the holidays. The good folks at Title Max, don’t tell you hidden in the fine print if your late 1 day, there is no grace period. Thereby putting you in so called default were you ethier have to come up with all the money, or turn your truck in. Also hidden in the fine print is the fact that you have know recourse for abrsaive or harrsing behavior from the good folks at Title Max They don’t tell you that you are signing away your rights through something called “Binding abratation”
By Katie
April 4, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this
People, stop living beyond your means. If you can’t afford Christmas presents, don’t buy them. Yes, it really is that simple. Prioritize your needs and spend your money based on those needs and only those needs. Save your money to buy the things you don’t have in your budget. No, I don’t feel sorry for anyone using these blood sucker companies. I would rather call on my family or friends in a time of desparation, or emergency, than go to one of these places. People need to become smarter, there are too many d******* out there. If you are having financial problems maybe you should reconsider owning your cell phone or even your car. So many people these days think they have a right to it all. There are no rights when it comes to luxury items, you have to work for what you get.
By Dan
April 4, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Thank you katie, the only voice of reason here (well i didn’t read them all) Are the lenders saints maybe not but who is the indispputable fact is 99.9% of the time it is the borrowers poor judgement that creates the need and even poorer judgement to use that source but such is human nature as it has and always will be
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.
Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870), David Copperfield, 1849
By Lyrazel
April 4, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Yes Kate but what happens when we live in our means and suddenly have a medical emergency and that is the rub. You are very right on many turns. I dont drive so I know how difficult it is to not have transportation at my beck and call but I am lucky because I work at home. Last year I had to drop 3k on medical bills in one month. Few people with children can do that—especially single with children—and when the adult is sick Peachcare dont go there.
By Magenta
April 4, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Beth,
Great comment yesterday. The best on the whole board. Blessings to you in the future…you deserve it.
By Bete Noir
April 4, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
I don’t know which is worse here: stupid people defending their right/need to be victims, pompous windbag lawyer’s bloviation, bible-thumping quote-monger, or the anti-semite who blames everything on Shylock.
By Michelle
April 4, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
I liked the analogy of sharecroppers to these title loan places, but back home in Cincinnati, I used to use a check cashing place when I needed from $50 to maybe $200 between pay periods, I would go to the place, write a check for the amount plus $7 for every $50 I was borrowing, and in two weeks I would bring cash for that amount and they would return the check I wrote. Don’t those places exist here in Atlanta? Seems a lot safer than a title loan.
By Jay
April 4, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Not that I have any sympathy for those who are dumb enough to use the services of title lenders, but don’t such outlandish interest rates violate state usury laws? Any lawyers out there?
By Jay
April 4, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Not that I have any sympathy for those who are dumb enough to use the services of title lenders, but don’t such outlandish interest rates violate state usury laws? Any lawyers out there?
By Reid
April 4, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
As an owner of a title loan store I see all kinds of borrowers.I don’t judge what the person needs money for but I do recommend that the customer try to get what he needs from friends, relatives,or employers first.Banks are really not an option(even I find it impossible to jump through all their hoops)but credit unions are a possibility if their company participates. Anyway, we explain that our loan is the most expensive loan he can get and to try these other options first. But if they want a loan we are there to work with him. We don’t want your car, we just want to be paid what you agree to at the start. We will work with you if you fall behind as long as you stay in touch and will only come looking for you if we don’t hear from you. We help people with different needs:utility bill,medecine,deposit for new place to live,the contractor or small business owner that needs to pay his subs or employees tomorrow and hasn’t received his money yet.All kinds of needs. We serve a need and you can choose to deal with us or not.
By Beth
April 4, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Fine advice, Katie, and Dan and Charles bring up good points as well. Discipline is a big part of getting things under control. Lyrazel, I can sympathize — I spent several thousand on health care for self and home health services for my Gran. It wasn’t cheap, but a lot easier to manage, thanks to health insurance. I thank God that I have a job with fine benefits these days. I’ve noticed that facilities are much nicer about working out payment plans with me because my insurance pays the bulk of the charges, and I just pay consistently on the remainder. Still, it does add up, but when it comes down to it, I’ll pay a credit card or insurance premium before the doctor’s office, you know?
Magenta, thank you so much for your comment. I already feel blessed — and I thank the community at large for that. There’s so much info about resources one can use to better his or her life, and the more I apply them with sound judgment, the more stable I’m becoming. Thank you again. :)
Jay, you bring up an interesting point, and so now I’m thinking back to ancient Israel — couldn’t a ruthless usurer be stoned to death? I understand making a profit, but there’s got to be a line drawn somewhere.
Reid, I particularly appreciate you speaking up here — I guess it’s easy to look at a situation from the point of view of the profligate or unfortunate, but as your presence here shows, you merchants at the other end have families to feed and bills to pay as well. Do you feel that there are many shameless sorts in your line of work that go overboard? Or do you feel it’s overall pretty legitimate, albeit with a pretty hefty interest markup? [I’m just curious, and I want to hear what you have to say because I think it’s important to hear a variety of sides to an issue. Lately the matter of interest rates in various financial transactions has fascinated me in particular…]
By Beth
April 4, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Oh, and I don’t mean to write any novellas here, but I’m curious — are any of you, by chance, parents? Do you talk to your kids/preteens/adolescents about lending, and the various forms? Or do they have classes in school that talk about such things?
I’m a product of the Atlanta school system [I know, I know], and we had to take a career planning class that was actually quite helpful when it came to disseminating information about writing checks, establishing bank accounts, and things of that sort, but we never talked about loans, really. We had to do equations with principal and interest in our maths classes, but this hardly drove home to us the financial ruin that could come with poor choices with regard to borrowing. Many of my friends were middle to upper class, so I can’t exactly imagine them ever really needing to hit up the pawn shop or title loan place, but some of them were as working class as I, and I could see them desperately hitting up such places in a pinch, not really thinking through to the consequences.
So, do they teach this sort of thing in school nowadays? Or is this the sort of thing that parents are big on instilling into their kids these days — fiscal responsibility? I’m curious, because as I indicated above, I was left to my own devices in the matter, but I wonder if I were a teen today, if I’d be the exception, and not the rule…
By Paul
April 4, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
I regret to say that as a multiple degreed engineer, in light of the realities of the Sean Hannity fantasy “great economy” crowd I could find no other work and briefly managed one of these stores. In short, “No Sympathy” has nary a clue. I still feel sort of “dirty” for having been involved in it personally. It’s nothing like you would think - up close it’s a lot uglier.
By Beth
April 4, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Paul,
How long did you work at the store? Did your bosses make you, like, tell flat out lies, or mislead people? Or was it a thing of being upfront, but knowing you were charging too much interest? Hmm, now I kind of wish Dateline or someone would do an expose on the industry. I don’t watch television much — maybe they already have and I missed it!
By No Sympathy
April 4, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
So, vermin who admits to operating one of these gyp joints thinks I’m clueless? Hey, buddy, I’m honest, which is more than you’ll ever be able to claim. You cheated retards out of money. How do you sleep nights, you conscienceless scum? Yeah, you were just doing a job. So were guards at Auschwitz.
By Paul
April 5, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Beth - I worked in one for about a year. Being “up front” was a relative thing - marketing and sales procedures were tightly scripted. The truth was always told, but it was wrapped up in a nice pretty package that obscured the ugly core. The only difference between myself and “No Sympathy” (aside from heavily reality based intellect and a modicum of “loony free” class) is that I maintained the soul that I already had and thus wasn’t particularly good at what I was doing. Speaking of which, the bright side was that I later went to the Gold Dome downtown to testify regarding a proposed law to control the industry, but the bad news is that it was defeated. At least trying based upon actual knowledge sure beat the heck out of idiotic useless name calling, eh?
By Michael H. Smith
April 8, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
A perhaps not so unusual article appears – at least presently- in the metro section of today’s AJC paper that presses social conscience into action. For this cause the rude interruption and off topic comment is made.
There is someone I hope you will meet, his name Charles Nyaga. http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2007/04/07/0408metwaiting.html.
Mr. Nyaga is an immigrant according to the article - a legal immigrant of course - who through no fault of his own is now the subject to deportation simply because he did work hard, played by and obeyed – to the government letter - our rules. Normally our courts when functioning properly use their power of judicial review to right such wrongs imposed – as on Mr. Nyaga - under law rather than as other occasions have noted write wrongs from the bench into law. No argument the letter of the law has been violated in this case and that ignorance of the law provides no excuse. However, the sum soul n’ spirit of all that is the nature of law in this country cannot be in finality subject to the tyranny of ink laying upon the despotism of paper to dismiss readily the commonality of fair play from our inalienable senses of what is right and what is wrong.
My fellow legal immigration advocates of like mind, all which represent me in government at any level and my fellow Americans. I urge you we cannot allow this man and his family to be deported.
Please excuse me for now I have some very important people I need to write letters to.
By Katie
April 9, 2007 5:48 AM | Link to this
What happens if you have a medical emergency?? you use the money in your savings account. Part of budgeting is saving money for emergencys. If you don’t have a savings then you aren’t budgeting your money properly. If you can’t figure out that cell phones, cars, computers and cable are luxury items then you have major issues. The basic needs are shelter, food, clothing and medical care—all else is luxury. Cover the basics and save your money for the rest.