Protective Measures
12/20/2008
Source: Aaron London, Staff Writer, Flagler News Journal Online

With a new administration set to take office in Janary and a new Congress set to being as well, consumer groups are hoping for a more consumer-friendly environment in 2009. And to help get things moving, representatives from seven national consumer groups have issued a list of six consumer priorities they want to push.

Leaders of the groups -- which include the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, National Association of Consumer Advocates, the National Consumer Law Center, National Consumers League, Public Citizen and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group -- listed reinstatement of the White House Special Advisor on Consumer Affairs as one of their priorities.

"As the economic crisis deepens, it is more important than ever for government leaders to deal quickly and effectively with pocketbook issues affecting every American consumer," the groups said in a news release.

The consumer agenda was sent to President-elect Obama and Congressional leaders.

In addition to restoring the consumer affairs post, the groups priority list includes:

· Reining in Wall Street excesses and protecting consumers from abusive and predatory lending.

· Protecting consumers from price-gouging in oil, gas and electricity markets and taking steps to provide households with access to alternative energy and efficiency.

· Improving consumer access to justice by restoring legal rights.

· Guaranteeing safe, high quality and affordable healthcare for everyone.

· Ensuring food and products are safe.

"Some recent threats to consumer rights, protections and standards of living include: the financial crisis and mortgage meltdown, high and volatile oil prices, growing concerns over the safety of imports and food and the rising cost of health care," the groups said.

The groups pointed to recent events in the credit markets as evidence of the need for stronger consumer protections.

"Inadequate laws and poor oversight of credit and financial services have led to a huge loss of wealth for many American families and helped trigger an economic recession," the groups said. "This agenda is not simply a way to protect consumers, but to increase the economic health and safety of the country."