Dear Friends;
Quite often during a political campaign, issues that need to be discussed aren't. This can happen for a variety of reasons, with the largest being that candidates at all levels tend to tell us 'their' issues, rather than listening to 'our' issues. As such, we're doing two things about this:
1) we are asking all candidates to take a Consumer Protection Pledge (please see companion story by clicking here) and
2) we are going to be asking specific questions, of specific candidates, about specifically focused Consumer Protection issues.
Take Tort Reform for an example. Its not an exciting subject, but one of importance to politicians, lawyers and consuemrs at all levels. No matter which side you are on, history shows that in the long run, the one who will get hurt is..... "we the consumer." Why? Well, either the rules stay the same, and merchants get nailed for higher and higher insurances costs that are passed on to us, or the rules change, we get confused, and we get "lost" in the legal system.
The point I am trying to make here is this: there needs to be a discussion about a variety of issues, and we hope to foster that discussion.
So far, we have kicked around asking candidates about the following issues:
- Use of fire retardents in clothing
- Tort Reform
- Product Liability
- Smart meters
- Privacy
- Telecommunications rates, operations and "airwaves" (are the signals and wave lengths being used, safe?)
- Internet reforms
- Software qualities and standards
- Carbination Drinks
- Gas Milage
- Adopting 3D Standards
- How to increase consumer purchasing power
- Billing surcharges
- Insurance
- Foreclosure(s)
- FTC operations and consumer relations
- Sports Stadiums and Arenas - funding, ownership and profit sharing
In order to facilitate this conversation, www.ConsumerAdvocacy.com will create a "briefing page" on each subject we plan to ask candidates about. That's nothing out of the ordinary. What will make this a quality project is this: we will tell you what candidates we asked and report on their responses and positions. That way, when you go to the polls, you'll have more information at your fingertips to help you decide whom to vote for.
To make things even better, we will be partnering with "The Letter Depot" (www.TheLetterDepot.com) to help you ask questions of the candidates yourselves!
But there is a catch - like always, huh? This is a small one - before we can do that, we need your help. We are in the process of putting together our list of issues, and would like to hear from you about what should be on it. Do you like our list? What should be on it or not? How many questions should we ask?
In total, we think 10 issues is the right amount - so if you have consumer based questions that you want answers to - now is your chance to step up to the plate and get your questions asked, professionally!
Please send them to me PERSONALLY at: ssorleahcim@comcast.net
Thank you very much, I not only look forward to seeing you here often, but hearing from you personally.
Sincerely;