Karen Eilers Lahey

Identity theft: no help for consumers

Abstract Identity theft is a growing problem in the American economy. While there have been attempts to address and minimize the problem, those attempts have focused on making identity theft a crime. This paper discusses the inadequacy of this approach from the perspective of individual victims of identity theft, and the fact that the law currently provides those victims little recourse or remedy for the harms they suffer. It also offers a proposal for legislation that would provide some remedy as well as an incentive to protect consumer identity information.

Longitudinal changes in net worth by household income and demographic characteristics for the first three waves of the HRS

Abstract The purpose of this study is to provide an initial examination of the first three waves of the HRS in terms of non-housing net worth by gender, education, race, religion, income, and age. The longitudinal data that is available for a sample of those who are nearing retirement or in retirement allows a picture of their financial condition to be drawn. Statistical analysis indicates that there is a difference in non-housing net worth by demographic characteristics and marital status for each wave of the HRS and between the waves.

“Brownfields”: Are They an Ethical Solution to a Major Urban Pollution Problem?

“Brownfields” are unused urban manufacturing sites that are not being recycled because the potential costs of environmental cleanup may vastly exceed their current market value. This chapter addresses the ethical issues involved in recently legislated state solutions to this environmental problem. It posits the following question: If “greenfields” are unattainable and “deadfields” are unacceptable, are state certified “brownfields” a reasonable and ethical compromise?