Consumers Group Consumer Protection

Ratedpicks.com asked:


Why on the BIG issues that were put before him in office, did he choose NOT TO VOTE. But he voted and pushed for little meaningless things like “Congradulating the White sox on winning the World Series??”

Examples:

2/28/08 Vote 35: On the Cloture Motion: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R.3221; New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act and the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 : NOT VOTING

2/26/08 Vote 33: On the Cloture Motion: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider S. 2633; A bill to provide for the safe redeployment of United States troops from Iraq. NOT VOTING

2/7/08 Vote 10: H R 5140: H.R. 5140 As Amended; Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 : NOT VOTING

4/10/08 Vote 95: H R 3221: Ensign Amdt. No. 4419; To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the limited continuation of clean energy production incentives and incentives to improve energy efficiency in order to prevent a downturn in these sectors that would result from a lapse in the tax law. NOT VOTING

4/4/08 Vote 91: H R 3221: Voinovich Amdt. No. 4406 As Modified; To protect families most vulnerable to foreclosure due to a sudden loss of income by extending the depreciation incentive to loss companies that have accumulated alternative minimum tax and research and development tax credits. NOT VOTING

4/3/08 Vote 87: S RES 501: S. Res. 501; A resolution honoring the sacrifice of the members of the United States Armed Forces who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. NOT VOTING

Yet he did vote inbetween all those votes for things like:

3/14/08 Vote 82: S CON RES 70: DeMint Amdt. No. 4339; To provide for a deficit-neutral reserve fund for providing an above the line Federal income tax deduction for individuals purchasing health insurance outside the workplace. VOTED NO

3/13/08 Vote 77: S CON RES 70: Kyl Amdt. No. 4372; To protect small businesses, family ranches and farms from the Death Tax by providing a $5 million exemption, a low rate for smaller estates and a maximum rate no higher than 35% VOTED NO

Im confused, if he is so for or against these like he says, why didnt he vote? And if he is for small falmilies and those needing insurance, why did he vote against them?? Any help ??

Dale

Robert asked:


Hi, I currently feel that I was scam on May 6 2008 by a telemarketer this afternoon after I received a phone call around 5:38 PM from a company I believe called the National Magazine Company or Century Marketing (Phone # 1-866-457-8860) in Utah. First, a young woman told me I have been entered in Dreams Come true Sweepstakes, and that MC, Visa; American Express entered all their cardholders in this sweepstakes. Grand prize is 25,000, Diamond Watch and a trip. She asked me if I was a cardholder. I said yes, then gave me the confirmation code C208. Then she told me that she was transfer me to her supervisor and he said I would receive had 5 magazines for just $3.95 a week for 25 months. He also assured me that within 3 days I would receive a welcome package with a complete listing of magazines should I decide I wanted different ones in the mail. Plus, they said that I would be able to cancel the orders at that time if I wish. After a while, I got suspicious as the call went on so I hung up. He called right back however I did not pick up the first time but I picked up the second time and told him I want to cancel everything and he said I can’t and kept telling me to finish the process. He offered to lower the price but I told him I can’t because I have too much college expensive (I am a full-time college student in NYC) to pay and I am not working but he said I have to finish, it went on and on by him telling me I have to stay with it. So I decided to hang up again this time I didn’t pick up when he called again. Keep in mind I didn’t finish the so call process. However I did give him my debit card account number by mistake and expatriation date but I didn’t give him my security code on the back of one’s card or PIN or my SSN. I would really appreciate it if you can help me know what my statuses now of being scam and what should I do. P.S. Once I hang-up I cancel my debit card right away around 6:00 PM the same day also I just recently filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection around 10:30 PM about this particular company or organization. What else can I do?? Is there anything else I can do?
I have one more question what if they mail me stuff (welcome package)? What should i do then?…Thank-you all for your help and time. I know I made a mistake but I learn my lesson. Also so far the bank failed a case against them since they tried to take money out, they said everything should be fix by Friday if so.
I mean *Filed a case

Juan

Gabriella V asked:


My daughter hurt her knee, could not walk. As it was Sunday we went to the emergency room. We told she has no health insurance yet (just moved here) and asked in advance - repeatedly - how much will it cost. We did not get a straight answer. The doctor took some questions, took her temperature, then gave her a brace ($40 value) and let us go. Her knee got better on its own after a week of suffering.
Some days later we got a bill of $290, which I found outrageous, but what can we do? Begun to negotiate with them about a monthly payment. (By then she had a job and health insurance as well). a week later we got a second bill almost $300 dollars; called in that we already have an agreement, they said this is a different bill! $600 for basically nothing. Is there a consumer protection authority to turn to?

Roberta

Jill asked:


Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says scrutiny of racial and ethnic profiling by incoming President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will not deter his get-tough approach to illegal immigration.

“I’m not stopping,” said Arpaio. The Republican sheriff said he plans to continue crime sweeps and raids aimed at illegal immigrants and businesses that employ them.

The Obama administration and Holder are expected to increase the focus on racial and ethnic profiling by police. Critics of Arpaio’s immigration enforcement argue the sheriff’s office targets Hispanics and such actions take away from more serious investigations.

Arpaio said his immigration sweeps are nondiscriminatory and if people have complaints they can contact federal authorities. “Go ahead and take them to the FBI,” said Arpaio, who just won reelection to a fifth term.

Arpaio said another immigration sweep will soon occur.

The U.S. Justice Department under Obama is expected to put a greater focus on discrimination, corporate corruption and consumer protection cases compared with the Bush administration’s priorities in national security, child pornography, *** rings and immigration.

Public opinion polls generally show support in Maricopa County for Arpaio’s get-tough policies.

There are an estimated 579,000 illegal immigrants in Arizona, most coming from Mexico, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. The U.S. recession and housing troubles have reduced the flow of migrants and sent some undocumented workers back to that country.

Arizona also is a key entry point into the U.S. for drug traffickers and other smugglers as northern Mexico cities are besieged by drug cartels, which reach into the Phoenix area with gun purchases and other activity.

Herman

K_Alejandro asked:


I was surprised to notice that this website:

http://www.elevayta.net/fghdjertjy.php?

requires that you pay a 90 cent bandwidth fee for downloading a rather small program.

Now I’m no internet expert, but I have a tremendous amount of disbelief towards the idea of something that small costing that much in bandwidth unless the company is running off of a cellphone on a 3G network on a plan that still charges for bandwidth.

Far more likely would be that this company is running off of a rather decent server…

What tweaked my curiosity regarding the legality though is the fact that this specifically mentions that this charge is specifically for bandwidth costs.

From what I learned in school, this would be illegal in Canada on the terms of the Consumer Protection Act since it is illegal to charge far more for something than it is actually worth.

yeah it is also greedy and lame, but how wrong am I regarding the legality?

Charlie

StripedLife asked:


On August 29, 2005 my home and belongings washed away in the storm surge of Hurricane Katrina. Prior to the storm I had financed a computer purchase through Dell. This computer was destroyed in the storm. I now have a collection agency threatening legal action to collect for the balance of the computer plus about 2000.00 in finance charges and late fees. My federal flood insurance proceeds did not include any contents coverage at all, only structure damage and loss. I have been told by several people that items lost in natural disasters are exempt from collection action as stated by the Fair Trade Consumer Protection Act. However, I can’t find information on this particular issue anywhere. Can anyone help me, provide assistance, or guidance? I have been all over the FTC website to no avail. Thank you!

Clarence