When Should Consumers Really Be Protected?

Several items have occurred in the past few weeks, all under the name of consumer protection.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced he was going after Apple, Inc. In his announcement he stated that there were two complaints in Connecticut and 25 more nationwide about iPods that didn't work and that Apple had not resolved the complaints to the customers' satisfaction. Apple has sold 700 million iPods and 27 of those people aren't happy. While I'm not disparaging the people who have the complaints, 27 out of 700 million means get your own lawyers and duke it out in civil court. This is not a case that should be wasting taxpayer money.

Blumenthal is also going after Best Buy because they have different prices on their web site as they do in their stores. Guess what? So does Barnes & Noble. So do many stores. Why? Because it costs more to have a physical location than it does to have an online store. Higher costs, lead to higher prices. When a company tries to defraud its customer, then there should be protections. When consumers are simply too stupid to do their research, then let the buyer beware.

The Dairy Association is pulling ads that touts the weight loss benefits of milk. Despite scientific evidence that states calcium assists in weight loss, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has complained to the FTC and fought to have the ads removed. Is their concern based on scientific evidence? No. The PCRM, far from having the consumers best interests at heart, is a vegan group dedicated to stopping people from eating anything that comes from an animal. They would prefer that everyone stuck to a diet of twings and berries. Once again, a loudmouth group of activists has pushed their own agenda in front of the public good.

"Cocaine" Fights For Shelf Space

Cocaine is the latest beverage to cash in on the energy drink craze. Produced by Las Vegas-based Redux Beverages, the drink has stirred up controversy with its choice of name. It has already been forced off the shelves in Connecticut, Illinois and Texas. It is also under investigation by the FDA.

"Our goal is to literally flush Cocaine down the drain across the nation," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who announced Monday that Redux Beverages has agreed to stop selling the drink in Connecticut. "Our main complaint about Cocaine is its name and marketing strategy seeking to glorify illegal drug use and exploit the allure of marketing 'speed in a can,' as it called the product."

Those of you familiar with columns in various Connecticut Newspapers will know that I usually feel that anything Richard Blumenthal is against is probably a good idea. Here's what else Blumenthal said.

"...selling Cocaine in a can and appealing to children as the so-called legal alternative violated our consumer protection laws, even if they are properly licensed."

Read that again so you know you read it right. Blumenthal is fighting this drink because it promotes itself as "a legal alternative." Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't our elected officials supposed to be supporting legal alternatives to our kids taking drugs. Redux has stated that the energy drink has no drugs in it, the name is simply a marketing ploy. As an energy drink, I don't know that it could be considered healthy, but it's certainly healthier than drugs. This isn't even the first drink to name itself after cocaine. You might be familiar with the other one, Coca Cola. Are we going to force them off the shelves now too? (By the way, for evidence that Coca Cola is also named for Cocaine, the Coca Cola Company is considering a lawsuit against Redux for trademark infringement over the name.)

These so-called consumer protectors basically feel that the American public is too stupid to tell the difference between a drug and an energy drink. Redux Beverages has announced that it will re-release the drink under a new name and label. Keep an eye out for it and judge it on whether or not it tastes good and gives you an energy boost.

To register a complaint about the government again interfering in the lives of the public, write to the attorney generals who are behind this:

Richard Blumenthal
Office of the Attorney General

55 Elm Street

Hartford, CT 06106

and

Lisa Madigan
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601