Boycott
Look at wonderful me. I am doing my part to save the earth. I no longer drive a car and instead walk or take the bus. If everyone quit driving, the price of gas would plummet and people would become more healthy.
Actually that is a lie. The truth of the matter is that I have given up on being treated fairly by an evil segment of society. The last mechanic charged me $800 for a new head gasket and all he did was disable the check engine light and punch a hole in the exhaust system so that the white smoke came out where I could not see. I am done with all of them because fraud is endemic to the occupation and the only option I have is to not participate in their sick racket any longer. The benefits are that I no longer need insurance, high priced gas, or licenses and most satisfying, I never have to talk to those dicks again. Casino gambling has always seemed stupid to me because such a small percentage ever win. I confess I was even more stupid to keep trying when I NEVER was treated honestly in auto repair shops. Most of these men just don't like women.
If fraud were treated the same as other forms of robbery and cheaters were jailed, maybe things would change. Ralph Nader is at heart a consumer advocate and that is why I like him (that and the fact that he treated his own employees with respect). He knows that businesses are often dishonest and that their victims should have some recourse. Thanks to Reagan and everyone after him, regulation has been dismantled and we are so screwed.
Actually that is a lie. The truth of the matter is that I have given up on being treated fairly by an evil segment of society. The last mechanic charged me $800 for a new head gasket and all he did was disable the check engine light and punch a hole in the exhaust system so that the white smoke came out where I could not see. I am done with all of them because fraud is endemic to the occupation and the only option I have is to not participate in their sick racket any longer. The benefits are that I no longer need insurance, high priced gas, or licenses and most satisfying, I never have to talk to those dicks again. Casino gambling has always seemed stupid to me because such a small percentage ever win. I confess I was even more stupid to keep trying when I NEVER was treated honestly in auto repair shops. Most of these men just don't like women.
If fraud were treated the same as other forms of robbery and cheaters were jailed, maybe things would change. Ralph Nader is at heart a consumer advocate and that is why I like him (that and the fact that he treated his own employees with respect). He knows that businesses are often dishonest and that their victims should have some recourse. Thanks to Reagan and everyone after him, regulation has been dismantled and we are so screwed.
posted by Flimsy Sanity @ 4:40 AM
2 Comments:
At 8:17 AM,
Anonymous said…
You are so right. I've been amazed at the crap sold in this country, and the dreadful services, with no come-back unless you can afford to hire a (probably equally corrupt) lawyer.
In Britain they have what's called the Consumer Protection Agency and the Advertising Standards Authority. Anyone attempting the sort of tricks you highlight, or selling stuff 'unfit for the purpose advertised' is rapidly hauled before the courts and put out of business.
America loves its freedoms, including the freedom to swindle. Regarding automobiles, in Britain a yearly MOT test is required on any vehicle over four years old to keep that vehicle on the road. It's strict, and often expensive as older cars usually require some repairs. The advantages are knowing all cars are roadworthy (no old rusting heaps with bald tires, like you so often see over here) and auto shops have to be licensed, have properly trained mechanics, and be rigorously inspected before issued with a license.
You know, if you buy a car with a year's MOT test, it will be in roadworthy condition, and the sort of rip-off you suffered just doesn't happen.
At 2:54 AM,
Graeme said…
don't tell me you're losing faith in the market? :)
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