May 3, 2006
Health Insurance tries for Big Score
The health insurance industry has their sights set on another big score from Congress. If passed, the bill will be a huge windfall for insurers and a disaster for most Americans. Does that sound familiar? It should. You can read more about it here.
Posted by Chip Spear at 9:51 AM | Comments (1)
February 14, 2006
McDonalds Follows the Bush Playbook
McDonald's recently admitted that they lied about ingredients to their french fry cooking oil. (AP)
Not long after disclosing that its french fries contain more trans fat than thought, McDonald's Corp. said Monday that wheat and dairy ingredients are used to flavor the popular menu item - an acknowledgment it had not previously made.
The presence of those substances can cause allergic or other medical reactions in food-sensitive consumers.
McDonald's had said until recently that its fries were free of gluten and milk or wheat allergens and safe to eat for those with dietary issues related to the consumption of dairy items. But the fast-food company quietly added "Contains wheat and milk ingredients" this month to the french fries listing on its Web site....
It's not the first time McDonald's forthrightness has been called into question concerning what's in its famous fries.
The company paid $10 million in 2002 to settle a lawsuit by vegetarian groups after it was disclosed that its fries were cooked in beef-flavored oil despite the company's insistence in 1990 that it was abandoning beef tallow for pure vegetable oil.
Last February, it paid $8.5 million to settle a suit by a nonprofit advocacy group accusing the company of misleading consumers by announcing plans in September 2002 to change its cooking oil but then delaying the switch indefinitely within months.
It seems to be a common tactic to say whatever you can get away with, and then when caught, misdirect the response so it doesn't really answer the question and it puts you in the best light possible. I say score points at any cost, so what if some consumers get sick or die. It is a small cost of doing business for a big corp like McDonalds..
Posted by Chip Spear at 4:03 PM | Comments (5)
September 19, 2005
Hats! Political Hats?
Check out the hats! Watch it here.
Posted by Chip Spear at 1:39 PM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2005
Bush Makes Big Gains with House Energy Bill for His Constituents
The new energy bill helps the President score with his core constituency and takes some small steps to addressing the country's energy problems. Though not yet out of joint committee this is very much a White House bill that significantly helps mainstream energy companies. This is certainly expected, after all, the President is from Texas, worked in the oil industry, and a large number of his chief advisers are from the oil, gas, and coal industries. Plus he is a big proponent of major corporations. And the House is controlled by Republicans who have generally supported established energy interests.
At 1725 pages the bill is large, far-reaching and complex. It is one of those kitchen sink type things, where there is something for everyone. Initial criticism is coming from the environmental industry, which would make me think that the bill is weighted in the Energy Industry's favor. If everyone were screaming I would think that noone got what they wanted, and the bill was fairly balanced, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The Christian Science Monitor quotes Philip Clapp, president of the National Environment Trust
"Both Republicans and Democrats are completely paralyzed in addressing the nation's three big energy challenges - reducing our dependence on Middle East oil, reducing gasoline prices for consumers, and beginning to shift our economy to renewable energy technologies," ... "On all three issues, the bill is a big fat zero."
The bill will address many energy issues and is better than no bill, but it lacks a vision that can capture the imagination of the country at a time when so many feel we desparately need it.
Posted by Chip Spear at 3:01 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
June 8, 2005
Bush Keeps Up Partnership with Large Corporations
G.W. continues his successful political partnership with major corportations explained in these two articles, one from the NYTimes and the other from the Washington Post. Thanks to Bad Attitudes for the info.
Posted by Chip Spear at 10:43 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 10, 2005
Oil, Gas and Coal Score Big With Court Decision
The NeoCons, Oil, Gas, Coal, Cheney and Bush all won big today with the Appeals Court ruling in favor of the administration and their closed door Energy Task Force meetings. Any way you look at it, the Environmental interests lost big time. It served to reinforce the Administrations policy of a supply side energy policy. Given a choice between supply side, and conservation and development of alternative energy sources, the current administration has made their preference abundantly clear.
Posted by Chip Spear at 8:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack