Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
I spent the morning in the Capitol building at a Senate Finance Committee panel discussion on health care reform and expanding coverage.…
May 5, 2009Much of the left's consternation lies with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Montana Democrat, who has taken the lead on drafting…
May 5, 2009US antitrust enforcers are investigating Google's settlement with publishers over its book-scanning project, but the internet firm has defended its position. Google…
May 5, 2009In early April 2009, a nonprofit watchdog group, Consumer Watchdog, had called upon the Justice Department to examine the ramifications of Google's…
May 5, 2009Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus has suggested a healthcare bill could go through Congress without the public option, and activists worry…
May 5, 2009Years ago, at a summit of nonprofit health care advocates convened by charitable foundations in Monterey California, I remember a fierce debate…
May 5, 2009For the first time since its preliminary approval in November 2008, the Google Book Search settlement is looking less like a done…
May 4, 2009Doug Heller of Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit group that monitors Capitol spending, said politicians only increase public cynicism when they appear to…
May 4, 2009Google's project to digitize books is garnering objections. Another group, Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica, also confirmed discussions with Justice Department officials…
May 4, 2009Lawsuit Seeking Refunds for Violations of Proposition 103 Will Proceed Santa Monica, CA – Safeco Insurance Company will be required to…
May 1, 2009The Department of Justice has opened an inquiry into the settlement, according to three people who have spoken with investigators. Such inquiries…
May 1, 2009Google has defended its online book deal amid reports it is being reviewed by the US justice department. Consumer Watchdog told the…
Apr 30, 2009Despite 2/3 Drop in Crude Oil Prices, Oil Giant Boosts Bottom Line With Refining Profits Santa Monica, CA -- Exxon Mobil’s…
Apr 30, 2009U.S. antitrust enforcers are asking questions about Google’s settlement with publishers over its book-scanning project, representatives for Consumer Watchdog and the American…
Apr 30, 2009The shameful way a legislative committee vote went down in California yesterday tears the veil off how health insurance companies and HMOs…
Apr 29, 2009Despite the success states have had increasing health care coverage, national health care overhaul must address costs to be sustainable, lawmakers and…
Apr 29, 2009Earlier this month, Consumer Watchdog sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder arguing that the deal between Google and the Author’s…
Apr 29, 2009In one of the weirder moves I've seen over the past decade-plus that I've been going to Sacramento, Assemblyman Joe Coto and…
Apr 29, 2009