As everyone who follows reality tv knows, Teresa Giudice of the Real Housewives of New Jersey and her husband have filed for bankruptcy.  I realize there are legitimate cases when families have no choice but to declare bankruptcy: unforeseen catastrophes, debilitating illness or any other number of reasons why our society allows its citizens to legally declare bankruptcy and wipe the slate clean. This is not one of those cases.  Here is why I — and every single American — should be appalled at the Giudice bankruptcy situation:

1) Bankruptcy’s intended purpose is as follows: It “gives to the honest but unfortunate debtor…a new opportunity in life and a clear field for future effort, unhampered by the pressure and discouragement of preexisting debt.”  Note here the “honest” part. It doesn’t say anything about giving a second chance to vile fame-seekers who flaunt their vapid, conspicuous consumption on national television and purposely buy things they can’t afford.

2) They knowingly lived beyond their means. They bought a $1.7 million mansion they KNEW — or should have known — they could absolutely not afford. But, as Teresa herself said, she’s too good to live in an apartment.  Sweetheart, you are millions of dollars in debt: you’d be lucky to live in an apartment. You are lucky you didn’t spend your family into homelessness although that could be down the road. And their car payment? Over $1200 per month for a Cadillac Escalade. Which, again, they couldn’t afford.  But she felt wealthy driving it and that’s what counts, right?  They state their monthly income as $16,583.33.  That’s not enough to live in a nearly $2 million home and have a $1200 car payment plus all the trapping of a rich, public persona. Did they do the math?  But of course, some suspect they have more money than that and just don’t want to pay their debts.

3) There is no remorse, no lessons learned, no toned down spending. She is still flaunting their faux lifestyle in a ridiculous charade. Expect these tacky, jewel-flashing morons to file again in another five years or so when they rack up another few millions in debt.  At our expense.

4) There are real people, real businesses getting screwed here in the process — because they won’t get paid. The Giudice’s are being let off the hook and won’t have to pay for products purchased and services rendered from legitimate business people who had faith they’d be paid.  The couple owes more than $33,000 on various store credit cards, $85,000 for home repairs and $91,000 for materials used to build their new home as well as millions in other debts.  What about the hard workers who performed the repairs? Tough luck, I guess, Teresa needed to drive a fancy car to keep up with the Joneses. Or Manzos.

5) These people’s irresponsible actions affect all of us: Losers not paying their bills contributes to higher prices and interest rates for all of us — each of us are carrying deadbeats like the Giudices’s on our backs.  You know what they probably think of those of us who live within our means? Suckers!

6) They are raising children who will have no example of fiscal responsiblity, so they too can go out into the world and be a drain on society. And make no mistake — that’s what these people are. They think they can buy whatever they want and worry about paying for it later. Or never as the case may be.

Do I sound mad? I am. And you should be too.

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