Caveat Emptor playlist: Pete Barry on Fox Morning Show
Virginia Republican Senator John Warner wants to return to the 55 mph national speed limit, which reportedly saved 167,000 barrels a day and 4,000 lives a year while it was in effect. National speed limit pushed as gas saver | CNN (1)
Host a Maxed Out House Party
Have you been hoping to catch the documentary Maxed Out but haven’t had the chance? Well here it is! AFFIL and our Partner Consumers Union are sponsoring House Parties around the country this month. Sign up now for a party packet including a free DVD. All you need to host a party is a DVD player, TV and a few friends. Your party will automatically be entered into the “Most Happenin’ Party” contest - the winning host gets a “Super Consumer Pack” from AFFIL and Consumers Union (CU), including a yearlong subscription to Consumer Reports, an AFFIL Trucker Hat, CU’s Buying Guides, and copies of “Maxed Out” the book signed by James Scurlock for everyone who attends. Runners up will also receive a copy of “Maxed Out” the book. Visit the AFFIL website for more information and to sign up.
People with shaky credit are getting suckered by risky loans against their paychecks, homes—and even cars. Dragged Down by Debt | Newsweek (0)
Special interests vs. you
At Public Citizen’s Watchdog Blog, Graham Steele & David Arkush point out the problematic tendency of the press to treat issues of civil justice as clashes of special interests. Insurance companies vs. trial lawyers. Doctors vs. trial lawyers. Debt collectors vs. trial lawyers.
Always somebody vs. trial lawyers. Not “insurance companies vs. patients” or “debt collectors vs. consumers” or “corporate interests vs. the public interest.”
It is fun to demonize lawyers, but we do not always deserve it.
“By the time the Senate returns next Monday from its July 4 recess, some 55,000 more homes will have entered foreclosure. And that’s hardly the full picture of the growing calamity. More than three million homeowners are currently at risk of default and millions more are expected to join them in the coming year as home prices drop, the economy falters and delinquencies rise. Yet the Senate went ahead with its vacation last Friday without passing a foreclosure prevention measure.” As Foreclosures Escalate | New York Times (via Consumer Law & Policy) (0)
“Wal-Mart broke Minnesota labor law more than 2 million times over six years by forcing some employees to work without breaks and without full pay . . . . The violations carry a penalty of up to $1,000 each, adding up to a potential $2 billion fine . . . .” Wal-Mart broke Minnesota labor law, judge rules | StarTribune (0)
It’s not just Barack: Consumer debt an issue for some of state’s congressional delegation, too | MinnPost (0)
“A Minnesota lumber company accuses industry titan Sherwin-Williams of peddling defective wood coating. And of being a big jerk about it.” When good wood goes bad | City Pages - The Blotter (0)
