Immunity bill passes
Yes, it’s true. Those evil fast food corporations may be protected even though they make a dangerous product:
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would block lawsuits by people who blame fast-food chains for their obesity.
The “cheeseburger bill,” as it has been dubbed in Congress, stems from class-action litigation that accused McDonald’s of causing obesity in children.
The legislation’s backers say matters of personal responsibility don’t belong in the courts.
Oh and the gun immunity bill passed the house too:
Congress gave the gun lobby its top legislative priority Thursday, passing a bill that would protect the firearms industry from massive lawsuits brought by crime victims. The White House says President Bush will sign it into law.
The House voted 283-144 to send the bill to the president after supporters, led by the National Rifle Association, proclaimed it vital to protect the industry from being bankrupted by huge jury awards. Opponents, waging a tough battle against growing public support for the legislation, called it proof of the gun lobby’s power over the Republican-controlled Congress.
As I’ve said before, I’m lukewarm on the bill. It is gun friendly but special protection is special protection. At least it will curb efforts to put gun makers out of business for selling lawful products.
October 20th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
iirc, small airplane manufacturers stopped building planes until a similar law was passed.
LearJets almost became a piece of history.
I think it is a case of protecting companies from harrassment suits and charming lawyers.
It sucks that it has to be that way, but that’s the was it is when all of your laws are written, argued, and decided by liberal-leaning lawyers. They want their “share-the-wealth” socialism. And they will use any method they can to get it.
October 21st, 2005 at 9:55 am
It’s great that the bill passed, but it’s just putting a bandaid on the problem. What we need is tort reform going to a loser pays system. That will cut down tremendously on the frivolous lawsuits.
October 21st, 2005 at 4:37 pm
The problem is that we are getting numerous categories with special protections – and probably different special protection in each case – while the majority of products remain subject to lawsuits whose only basis seems to be “everyone else is responsible for my actions”.