I sent an email to Obama

[JRScott]

I write the President, my state's Senators and Representatives regularly.

To date:

President Obama (D) has not replied to any letter. (To be fair President Bush (R) didn't respond to them either).
Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) has not replied to any letter. (To be fair Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) responded poorly as well during her tenure which is what ultimately lost her reelection vs Hagan)
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) has replied sporadically to letters.
Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has had a very good record of writing back and trying to explain her position even if she disagrees with me (which is a lot more than some here might think).

Governor Beverly Perdue (D): To date has not responded to any letter.
NC Senator Steve Goss (D): Has always responded in a timely manner.
NC Representative Cullie Tarleton (D): Has always resonded in a timely manner.

[krielly]

I knew that somehow someone would get offended, and think I was taking a holier than thou attitude because I filed a 13 vs a 7. That is NOT the case at all!!!!!!!

My basic point is the lack of equitability here between a 7 and a 13.

I don't feel it is fair/equitable, that in my personal situation, someone who filed 7 at the same exact time I filed a 13 should be eligible for a conv mortage now, while I won't be eligible for one until 2012!!!!!!

Yes, it all depends on your financial picture, for certain. My re-fi would pay off my 13, so that shouldn't be a factor (that I'm not in as good a situation as someone who is discharged from a 7). I think there are MANY MANY factors that should be considered, but at the end of the day, there needs to be a fair guideline that is equitable.

K

[queenfluff]

That quantity is like reading a needle in a haystack!

Very true but who knows you might get lucky and he'll read yours (not mine, I have no luck) . I wonder who reads of rest of them? (if anybody)

[spearmint]

I think that is great! They did say that Obama does read 10 snails and 10 emails a day from us "normal" folks. Who knows - someone over there might read it! I was thinking about emailing him to thank him for taking on the credit card companies with this new bill.

That quantity is like reading a needle in a haystack!

[blankslate]

I used to work for a Senior Senator. This was before email was so readily available to the public and contacting a politician was through regular post and phone calls. I will say every single one of those went to me and into a file that the Senator himself never read. However, I notes on each and everyone and put them together in a summary for him every day that was read. I also brought some of them with me to advisory meetings and put them at the top of the agenda. He was an old school Republican who had conservative values, however the values of his constituents was the most important to him. He's been retired for some time now and there aren't many like him anymore who vote to reflect the people who chose him as their representative. Our political views were different, I voted for Clinton even though I was this man's right hand "woman" and we both respected each other's values. For many years after my time working in his office and being on a different political fence, I received hand written Christmas cards and invites to his summer parties.

Anyway, I do encourage everyone to write not only to their local politicians, but ALL of them. One virtually unknown Senator who takes the opinion of the people seriously is Bernie Sanders of Vermont. I think politicians on both sides have gotten arrogant, out of control, and forgotten that they are supposed to represent the people... not lobbyists. Bernie Sanders hasn't fallen into that trap yet from what I can see and his votes count for all of us too. Write him an email and see what happens. BTW I'm in Los Angeles so he's not my local rep, but his votes still affect me.

[tkharvey]

kreilly: I TOTALLY AGREE! We are new to this BK thing (filing 13 soon) and I thought the same thing. You would think that by paying back a portion of your debt would be looked upon more favorably when trying to get a future mortgage. I thought I was the only one that felt this was a bit backward.

[Flamingo]

I don't agree with your view. I think the reasoning behind those filing a ch7 and a 13. Is that those filing a 7 got rid of debt and those who filed a 13 are paying money back for amount of time. To me it would seem those in a 7 are better off financially. Does that make sense?
I have a headache right now and trying to understand the post. Is the amount of time after discharge the same for 7 and 13?

I agree and got a similar view but I also agree (last poster above) it was regarding the principle of the entire situation. Basically, it is not fair. Those paying out a portion or all of their debt over a period of time under Chapter 13 have to wait longer due to that payoff period wherein if they dumped it all, it would only be a probable two year wait. But not everyone filing a Chapter 7 gets the brass ring 2 years out of discharge just due to the BK filing on their records. Eliminating all debt does not mean a thing if someone cannot afford a mortgage two years after discharge. Chapter 13 filings are viewed more favorably by creditors (we were personally told that by a few attorneys, brokers and bank reps) and that is indicated also by it being on your credit reports for 7 years whereas for a Chapter 7 it's 10 years. Hope all that makes sense - it's been a long, busy day in the legal/corporate world...

[dgjmj]

I don't know that I agree with your reasoning that someone who files ch 13 should be able to get a mortgage quicker/easier than someone who filed a ch 7. We all may have come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now. (as said by MLK Jr.)

I do think they should be the same. Most people don't file ch 13 for moral convictions. They file because they don't meet the requirements for ch 7.

I do wish you luck in securing refinancing, may good juju and thoughts go your way.

1. I didn't get out of OP that they were saying that they were expecting anything quicker or easier quite the contrary.

2. While most people do not file ch13 for moral convictions this OP chose to for that reason prior to the 2005 change.

I believe the reason for the OP to openly share their personal letter to Obama were for principal reasons.

[hamburgervol]

I received a personal letter from Bush in 2000. I voted for him twice too many. Maybe one day it will be worth something. Should I list the letter as an asset or as a liability?

[justbroke]

I sent a letter to President Clinton in 1996 and never heard from him. My letter was on the "tax" on the middle class. (Ah, to be single and young again.)

[momof3b1g]

I don't agree with your view. I think the reasoning behind those filing a ch7 and a 13. Is that those filing a 7 got rid of debt and those who filed a 13 are paying money back for amount of time. To me it would seem those in a 7 are better off financially. Does that make sense?
I have a headache right now and trying to understand the post. Is the amount of time after discharge the same for 7 and 13?

[hamburgervol]

Doesn't FHA refinance 24 months after BK?

[teacher]

I don't know that I agree with your reasoning that someone who files ch 13 should be able to get a mortgage quicker/easier than someone who filed a ch 7. We all may have come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now. (as said by MLK Jr.)

I do think they should be the same. Most people don't file ch 13 for moral convictions. They file because they don't meet the requirements for ch 7.

I do wish you luck in securing refinancing, may good juju and thoughts go your way.

[lrprn]

What email address do you send comments / concerns to the President?

Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and fill in the form. It's as easy as that!

And if you want to email your U. S. and state elected representatives, you can find their contact information here - http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

[WillinVT]

What email address do you send comments / concerns to the President?