Consumer Advocates

8/3/2019 Consumer Advocates

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CONSUMER ADVOCATESHow they have protected you.


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For over four decades, Nader has exposed problems and organized millions ofcitizens into more than 100 public interest groups to advocate for solutions. His

efforts have helped create a framework of laws, regulatory agencies, and federalstandards that have improved the quality of life for two generations of Americans.Because of Ralph Nader we drive safer cars, eat healthier food, breathe betterair, drink cleaner water, and work in safer environments.


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THE CHEVROLET COVAIR

Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile byRalph Nader, published in 1965, is a book detailing resistance by car manufacturersto the introduction ofsafety features, like seat belts, and their general reluctance tospend money on improving safety. It was a pioneering work of consumer advocacy,openly polemical but containing substantial references and material from industry

insiders. It made Nader a household name and the style is often imitated.


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CORVAIR continues

"The sporty Corvair" The subject for which the book is probably most widely known is covered in the first

chapter, General Motors' Chevrolet Corvair. The chapter is subtitled "The One-CarAccident". The 19601963 Corvairs had a rear engine and a suspension designwhich was prone to "tuck under" in certain circumstances and which required driversto maintain propertire pressures which were outside of the tire manufacturer'srecommended tolerances for the tire. The tires had an unusually high front:reardifferential (15psi front, 26psi rear, when cold; 18 psi and 30psi hot). The tirepressures were more critical than for most contemporaneous designs, but this wasnot made explicitly clear to salespeople or owners. According to the standards laiddown by the , the relevant industry body, the pressures also rendered the tiresoverloaded when there were two or more passengers on board. An unadvertised at-cost option (#696) included upgraded springs and dampers, front anti-roll bars andrear axle rebound straps to prevent tuck-under. Aftermarket kits were also available,such as the EMPI CamberCompensator, for the knowledgeable owner. The

suspension design was modified for the 1964 model year, just far enough ahead ofpublication to allow its inclusion in the book; most significantly a second, outboardconstant velocity joint was added to maintain a constant camber angle at the wheels.Corvairs from 1965 on were of this type and did not suffer the characteristic tuck-under crashes.


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"Disaster deferred

"

Brilliant chrome finishing at the dashboard andA pillarofa 1957 Buick Roadmaster

Chapter two levies criticism on auto design such asinstrument panels and dashboards that were often

brightly finished with chrome and glossy enamels whichreflected sunlight or the light of oncoming motor vehiclesinto the driver's eyes. This problem, according to Nader,was well known by persons in the industry, but little wasdone to correct it. Usually, the reason for not taking

actions was that it would take away from the styling orappearance of the cars.


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THE FAMOUS HOT DOG


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FRANKFURTER can be found just belowFrankenstein in the dictionary. It can alsobe found immediately beneath contempt inRalph Nader's vast lexicon of villains.


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Not long ago, for example, it was difficult to pulverize poultrycheaply; now hot-dog manufacturers enthusiastically chicken out,cramming up to 15% of their sausages with bird parts. Poultry is oneof the more appetizing ingredients. Federal law allows hot dogs tocontain such animal features as esophagi, ears, lips and snouts. Inthe words of Robert Benchley: "Ain't it offal?" And even theseingredients do not exhaust the bad news. Hot dogs are brimmingwith additives, including sodium nitrite, sodium acid pyrophosphateand glucona delta lactone. Without such chemicals, the hot dogwould lose its pink blush and turn the color of unwashed sneakers.The wiener may also contain "binders," like dried milk, cereal orstarchy vegetable flour. According to Consumers Union, there can

also be occasional insect parts and rodent hairs. Moreover,frankfurters are no longer a bargain. There is little honest protein ineven the purest of all-beef kosher franks. Discarding fat, water, etc.,what protein remains comes to more than $10 per pound. For thatyou can get truffles. Or 4 Ibs. of filet mignon. Or 8 Ibs. of hamburger.


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DROP SIDE CRIBS

THESE ARE BEING DISCONTINUED DUE TO BABIES,GRABBING AND SHAKING THEM LOOSE. THE SIDE FALLSDOWN.THE BABY FALLS OUT. What were they thinking?

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES VS THE DISADVANTAGES?


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FAMOUS PLAYGROUNDEQUIPEMENT NO LONGER USED

METAL SLIDES- SITTING IN THE 90 DEGREE HEAT ALL DAYWAITING FOR SOME UNSUSPECTING CHILD IN SHORTS TO TRYAND SLIDE DOWN, GETTING 1ST DEGREE BURNS ON THEBACKSIDEOF THEIR LEGS.

ALSO, SIDE THAT COULD CATCH YOUR SHOES AND SEND YOUOVER THE EDGEONTO THE HARD, GRAVEL SURFACE.


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THE MERRY(?) GO ROUND

SOME ADULT OR OLDER KID COULD GET THIS SPINNING ANDSEND THE G-FORCES OFF THE CHARTS. IF YOU WERE LUCKYENOUGH TO STAY ON, WHEN THE RIDE ENDED YOU GOT OFF,PUKEDOR RAN INTO A TREE AND BONKED YOUR HEAD.


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THE FIRE POLE

HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD CLIMBING THIS

THING, LOSING OUR GRIP AND FALLING TOOUR NEAR DEATH. MANY BROKEN ARMS

AND SPRAINED ANKLES WERE THE RESULTOF THIS.


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PROTECT YOURSELF

RATHER THAN FLYING BY THE SEATOF YOUR PANTS, LETTINGEVERYTHING HOPEFULLY TAKE

CARE OF ITSELF.. BECOME HEALTH LITERATE. KNOW

WHAT YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR

MO

NEYO

N, KNO

W WHAT YO

U AREPUTTING IN YOUR STOMACH.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!


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TRUST

TRUST GUYS LIKE CLARK. HE ISHERE FOR YOU.


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Clark Howard is Americas #1 personal pocket protector. His goal inlife is to advise consumers how to save more, spend less and avoidgetting ripped off!

Consumer Advocates

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