Zombie Debt impacts the nation and haunts you past the grave. by Robert Melaccio, sr

Zombie debt and the practices of some in my opinion are near to unscrupulous because Bill Collectors by their deeds can only be described as being egregious, to paraphrase Webster’s, which is something conspicuously offensive and flagrant in nature with what is right or proper as to have the appearance of flouting of law or morality and the violations of human rights.

In my opinion the entire process of debt collection has been, along with the Credit Card industry and by nature of experience one of the most flagrant abusers of the respect of rights of persons and by their practices and procedures has caused the subjugation of people to untold misery. I must clarify that the product is not the issue nor the service provided that I am addressing. As long as all is well, all is smooth. It is however in the collection that problems arise. Now I am also not talking about that they are owed thier money. Moral people yearn for a way to repay honorably. Non moral will avoid at any cost and this is what usually brings about the situation.

Sadly, in my opinion and by fact debt collection is a major player in exasperating today’s economic woes. Why, well people who had been able to keep up with their monthly minimums are all of a sudden pushed over the edge because they are in effect, in what the industry defines as default. By edge I mean finacially and medically and other ways. The proof is there for all to see in any number of health, government and private statistics. It equates to dollars for the taxpayers because usually these peole in this situation no longer have health care.

No our braintrusts in Washington say we can OPT out. That shows how much they know. Yes and the President had heard gas is getting near to $4.00 a gallon. Why can't people "opt out"? That is because they paid late. Sometime by even hours and through no fault of their own and their rate skyrockets up to where the minimum becomes almost doubled. Yes and then all others, yes all other card holders can do the same even when they are not late on the other cards. Yes fact brought to you by the same ones in Washington . Add to that is the additional money required by Congress to pay down the account and they have created a major impact. Sadly for even the Credit Card industry. Now let me ask, if you are having trouble with the minimum does adding more to it help the problem? Certainly not, yet it has been allowed by those in office who have in my opinion the audacity to profess to be religious, moral and ethical even while turning a blinds eye and condoning and allowing these practices. Hard, well I guess it is because in my opinion you do not fit into any of these categories if you can allow this type of process, unless you are ignorant or unqualified and I will let you judge that.

My own Congressional Representative stated "they are working on educating the consumer". Educate what my dear legislator? Rhetorically, just who needs an education I ask? To say they are not aware, or by their non actions not condoning this is in my opinion a flagrant lie. As intelligent people they know exactly what is happening and if they don’t they certainly do not deserve to be in office.

Fo anyone for that matter to allow the practices of some, even of a few and even operating legally to continue in this manner is and I can only say it in one word, despicable. Please do not give us another cop out. They know exactly what I am referring to. To say these people owe them money is certainly fair. To say they have a right to collect is certainly fair. It is the how and the unreasonable nature of their deeds I object to.

So for you who do not know or have experienced that which many of us have and are there is no legitimate comment that you can make. It is like telling a black man what he has endured while you are a white man. Understand, maybe, but until you walk in his shoes, not totally. So, in reality and by fact consider yourself fortunate that you, by nature of error or crime you do not fall victim. Oh, you're protected, ok I'll leave it at that because my friend you just don't understand. Sadly, if you ever do fall victim you will then join the thousands who suffer at the hands of these types, but it will be to late and the fun will just be beginning. However, if you care not then you are what you are and no words will matter, or suffice and "that’s a fact Jack" as the movie line says. You are in my opinion and not to be rude but by your own definition one in the same, birds of a feather, like it or not.

Now Zombie debt is old unpaid debt many times years and years old and many times it is outside the statue of limitations set by states and the federal governement. The more business friendly the state the longer the terms. This debt is bought for pennies on the dollar from the original holder and passed from collection agency to collection agency, each one calling and starting the process over. They call you night and day multiple times over and over even when you have spoken to them, moral right, decent, right? Just have a good supply of cease and desist letters on hand and let them know you know your rights and move along. As I understand and you should check out, once you pay the time limit starts all over again.

That said,I am not condoning walking away from debt. However, unsecured debt is just that, unsecured and the lender should accept all potential liability and the risk associated with it. An offer was made and accepted and no collateral necessary. Hey, they rolled the dice and lost. However, that is not the case any longer and even when debt is not yours, yes not even yours or your identity has been stolen by an illegal worker or other thief they will continue to hound you, your family, your employer, your friends and your relatives with no shame. They in fact try to shame you, deride you, lesson you as an individual and your worth and demean you and even at the expense of your health and that of your loved ones. To think there is negotiation or arbitration is to be the fool. Certainly there are agencies but let the buyer beware. Credit agencies are set up by them and reporting agencies work hand and hand with them. Think not then investigate who always has the final say in a dispute. It is all tied together and one vicious cycle. Hey a fact. It is pay or else. In my opinion we are not talking morality we are talking making money and the uneducated, uninformed and the poor and the average will suffer.

So what are you going to do Mr. Obama, yes you who by your own words, not mine, allowed this kind of business practice because you thought it wouldn't be allowed or pass and yes you Mrs. Clinton and Mr. McCain lets here from you as to why these practices, the 31% on Credit Cards the abuse you allow, yes you allow, by your non works and what you failed to do as a supposed leader and by your non intervention and action. Is it moral in your opinion? Is it decent? Yes and I also address you who vote for them and their same types because regardless if you like it or not or what you profess if you can condone this or find acceptance you are the same. You are by your acquiesces the same and part of the problem by fact. If you know and allow or look the otehr way becuase it doesn't effect you it literally is saying you accept, quite simple. Why do we rarely if ever and most likely not ever hear from them on this issue? Have you asked yourself that or you already know the answer?

So now is the time my friend to see just who and what you really are as individuals and as a nation? It is truly a time of test. Are you who you say your are and profess or something else? Only you, each person alone can determine that. I really don’t care about the exterior because that is only what you want to show others. No, I do care who you say you are because that is just what you express and in this nation of freedom you can do anything within the law and morality. Yet, I do care about your works. I won't allow the breaking of law, the commission of crime, the exploiation or abuse of people. Not to have preach, but I do think it applies in this case, we shall know them by their works" is an excellent quote and that is also what they approve of, condone and accept and one cannot escape, sorry no.

This and other deeds and the flagrant turning a blinds eye is costing this nation billions in any numbre of ways and certainly in debt collection activities. It is not in the supports of this major industry. Yes a major industry. It is in the deeds. Do you not think for a moment this is why these politicians walk so gingerly? Do you not think they will deny it to us? Are we all that naive? Collectors are not the issue the methods are. In fact if they had truly reasonable plans and worked toward that end it would benefit their industry as well as increase our nations flow of additional tax dollars. Why, because they would not have all those write off’s and breaks and it would help people, period. This system literally places millions into a high risk category, shuts them out of the normal process from jobs to loans to buying and thus impacts the economy. Hey 1 and 1 = three, no, it is still 2 in my book. So work out a repayment plan that can be met and reduce the numbers forced into bankruptcy. It is a win for all.

Hard, certainly, but it applies to each and every one of us. Some could care less and some care deeply. As I stated above It truly is who you really are. It starts with us all. We need to stand together for change and no longer accept what we know is morally wrong, sin or just plain abusive. We should no longer condone this type of business practice because it is truly a reflection of our national character. Yes the proof of who you really are will show in your vote, like it or not. Profession without works that demonstrate who you say you are is worthless. One of the greatest orators in the world, one of many, Hitler, proved that.

So now is the time of testing and of change. Hey you all have the right to discard what I say, that is your right. It doesn’t however make it any less the fact. We must change those who condone this and other types of flagrant harm. So, listen to their retort carefully because buried in their smooth wording is their acceptance and continuance of these practicess and that is what we must be keen to hear and be aware of.