Posted on 07/11/2008 7:00:38 AM PDT by MrLegalReform
After years of being forced to play defense in Washington, the trial lawyer lobby is preparing to go on the offensive in 2009.
When Republicans controlled Congress from 1995 to 2006, and during most of President Bush's two terms, trial lawyers were demonized on Capitol Hill and forced back on their heels. The president and GOP leaders pleased their business allies--while targeting a sector that is a mainstay of Democratic fundraising--by passing laws curbing the ability to file class-action suits and tightening the bankruptcy laws. Republicans also tried to restrict medical-malpractice lawsuits and limit asbestos-litigation claims.
It reached the point where the Association of Trial Lawyers of America rebranded itself in 2006 to become the American Association for Justice. The message was simple: out with Denny Crane of Boston Legal, and in with Erin Brockovich.
But with Democrats running Congress over the past 18 months--and the strong likelihood they will have an even larger majority after the November election--the AAJ is looking to score some legislative victories of its own.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
...and that's when the Republicans passed Tort Reform. Oh wait, they didn't. Nevermind.
Conservative Republicans including President Bush were stopped by solid rat opposition and RINO opposition. The blame belongs to the rat party, the party of trial lawyers, union thugs, racial hustlers, baby killers, environmental obstructionists, and enemy sympathizers.
But we got tort reform passed down here in Texas. Companies continue to move their operations here, and the medical licensing board is six months behind on certifying doctors wanting to practice here.
A few of my alumni in Washington and Oregon are complaining about the medical practitioners leaving their states. Most of these alumni are attorneys, and sneer with derision at "tort reform". Now they're griping about doctors leaving their states, and they just can't understand why someone would want to live in (gasp!) Texas.
Not surprisingly, they all agree that Dubya's an idiot, and an evil politician.
One more “CHANGE!” we can all celebrate when B. Hussein becomes our Lord High Chancellor and God-Emperor.
Lawyers are also taking apart our Constitution, the same way, brick by brick. In each case, the lawyer's excuse is, "I was just representing my client...." But since Congress, like the state legislatures, is infested with lawyers, the likelihood they'll take definitive steps to deal with the situation is slim or none.
The one legislature with the least number of lawyers in it is Alaska. And Alaska is the one state, so I understand, which has adopted statewide the English Rule (loser pays) in lawsuits.
I have a right to criticize lawyers this harshly, because I have seen it from the inside. I have been a lawyer since December, 1970.
Congressman Billybob
First in the series, "American Government: The Owner's Manual"
Great....
“...when B. Hussein becomes...”
Waaaaaaaaaay too many posts with that language at FR. It is quite defeatist.
I for one am not a “Surrender Monkey”. Obama will NOT be our next President.
Does anyone remember the days when trial lawyers had a free lunch in DC? I do. I remember scores of frivolous lawsuits under Clinton’s regime, such as tabacco, microsoft, etc. Those days of getting ripped off are about to return.
Please adjust the calibration on your sarcasm meter.
I did not think I needed to “label” it, but maybe I was wrong.
I am a petroleum engineer in the oil business and recall reading in a trade journal a couple of years ago (wish I still had the article) that the number of petroleum engineers graduates in 2004 totaled 270 across the entire USA. These are the people who are responsible for the drilling and extraction of this country’s oil and gas.
The same article noted that approximately 40,000 lawyers graduated that same year in the USA.
Which ones do you believe add the most value to this country’s prosperity?
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