Bankruptcy and the law of unintended consequences

On the face of it, the idea of acceding to the demands of the credit card companies to tighten up bankruptcy laws when their business model expressly advocates leading people into spendthrift ways while anticipating that the vast majority - of even those who get in over their heads - will eventually pay off every cent they owe, seems stunningly unfair.

However, IF the American Consumer (please genuflect at the mention of the name of the prime mover and guarantor of the world's economy) decides that s/he is going to have to be more careful now, spend less and save more then the credit card companies could end up collectively crying a Homer-esque "D'oh!".

It couldn't happen to nicer folks.