Employee Retirement Income Security Act

Working men and women form the backbone of America’s economy.  After World War II ended, large companies were pressured by federal governmental policy and collective bargaining and began offering workers retirement, pension, and healthcare benefits.  In 1974 in response to some companies’ practices that harmed workers, Congress enacted the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)…

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The Consumer Protection Act

Almost everyone in America is a consumer.  Americans routinely buy, lease, sell, or dispose of goods and services.  Most consumer sales or transactions go smoothly, and if an issue arises, the seller or lessor resolves it quickly.  Unfortunately, some suppliers and vendors take advantage of consumers, do not treat them honestly or fairly, or lie…

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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Many people use credit to obtain goods or services – phones, televisions, vehicles, food, gas, meals, and more.  Credit may be arranged by a credit card or a loan from a business, a friend, or a relative.  Creditors, however, expect that they will be repaid.  When debts are not paid timely, lenders send notices to…

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Delays in the Courts: 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Accused of Stalling to Keep President Obama’s Plan Out of the Supreme Court

In August, we reported that 26 states (including Tennessee) sued to overturn President Obama’s executive orders on removing (deporting) immigrants. His orders would keep approximately 5 million immigrants from being deported. The case went to court in July, and now the International Business Times has asked: Is the circuit court (5th U.S. Circuit Court of…

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Campus Crime

Crime in America is not limited to streets and alleys; it may occur anywhere, including on and near campuses of schools, colleges, and universities.  Students may be victims or perpetrators.  Being a student is no defense to being charged with a crime.  Typically, students are charged with underage drinking, shoplifting, casual drug use, or vandalism;…

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Is the New State Secrecy Law in Arkansas Constitutional?

In America, citizens have rights.  Even those convicted of terrible murders and sentenced to death have rights under federal laws and state constitutions.  The States must adhere to constitutional rights even when a murderer on death row faces execution. Eight state prisoners on death row in Arkansas are challenging a new state secrecy law that…

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New Procedures for Determining Visa Eligibility Are Now Underway

There are a number of different ways a person came come to America legally, but all of them involve a visa. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has partnered with the Department of States to better understand just how many immigrant visas will be in demand each year. Based on that number, they can determine…

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An Inaccurate Credit Report

In America, we often make purchases with credit.  However, stores, car dealers, banks, or other lenders typically review our credit report before deciding whether to extend credit to us to make a purchase on credit or to determine the interest rate that we will pay.  A lower interest rate generally results in less amount of…

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Tennessee Lemon Law

Automobiles are a necessity in America.  We use them to travel to and from work, run errands, see doctors, shop, take children to school, attend religious services, and more.  Cars and trucks, however, are not without problems; they break down, require maintenance, upkeep, and repairs, and more.  Some vehicles have problems from the start.  In…

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