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Consumer Watchdog

Greasing the Wheels of Government

Just after being busted last
week by the state for ripping off consumers by doing unnecessary work
on their cars, EZ Lube gave the maximum allowed — $22,300 — to
Arnold. The 76 shops in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego
counties could have their business registrations suspended or revoked
by the Department of Consumer Affairs. You can bet they’re hoping this
political lube job pays off.

EZ Lube’s lawyer claims the company based the (unnecessary) oil changes
on mileage, not the color or condition of a car’s oil. But there’s no
mileage in taking campaign cash from companies facing disciplinary
action by a state agency. Give back the grease, Arnold, before you slip
in it.



John M. Simpson

John M. Simpson is an American consumer rights advocate and former journalist. Since 2005, he has worked for Consumer Watchdog, a nonpartisan nonprofit public interest group, as the lead researcher on Inside Google, the group's effort to educate the public about Google's dominance over the internet and the need for greater online privacy.

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