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DUH-REGULATION: How regulatory recklessness led to the 21st Century's first economic meltdown

Consider this fact.   Any child under the age of 18 is prohibited from gambling in a casino in most states.   Yet, that same 17 year old can trade in derivative securities with absolutely no prohibitions.   What is the difference between casino gambling and derivative training?   Well, for one,  gambling risks are more readily calculable.    Secondly,  gambling is regulated by individual states.  But derivative trading is exclusively controlled by federal regulators.  And those regulators have very little interest in regulating.  Why is this important?   Because history will likely show that these disinterested regulators contributed mightily to the financial market freezeout that is pushing the world economy into the most serious economic recession in generations.

It is important that Americans know what really caused the financial cataclysm.   Decisions will be made in 2009 based upon what policy makers decide are the root causes of the financial crises that plague our economy.   Knowing the causes are critical to determining the correct fixes.   As will be explained below,  the credit markets' unfettered efforts to keep Americans spending will likely prove to be the primary culprit behind the current credit collapse.

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Pat Zaharopoulos, Esq. and Murtaza H. Baxamusa named to UCAN's Board of Directors

Posted January 18th, 2012 by Charles Langley

UCAN has named Pat Zaharopoulos, Esq. and Dr. Murtaza H. Baxamusa to its Board of Directors. Details.

Paying by smartphone a not-so-smart idea

Posted August 19th, 2011 by Patricia Anderson

You can use your smartphone to do just about anything, and now you can buy a flat screen TV with a single screen tap.  But is it a good idea?  T-Mobile just launched a new service dubbed “Direct Carrier Billing,” which allows users to make purchases on their phone and billed to their T-Mobile account.  Consumer attorneys warn that these services don’t offer adequate fraud protection, which means that in a dispute the consumer can be stuck with the bill.

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Meet local privacy advocates on May 11, 2011

Posted May 5th, 2011 by Charles Langley

Meet the PRIVACY underground
On Wednesday, May 11, at 7PM,  three of America's top Privacy Advocates, including Beth Givens of UCAN's Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, will be in the same room discussing the digital underground and the threat to your privacy at UCSD's Great Hall. Learn more and RSVP HERE.

Our thank you gift when you join or renew your membership in UCAN at the $25 level or more!

Posted January 7th, 2011 by Charles Langley

Learn more about Adumbrations of the World's Greatest Consumer!
If you missed our wildly popular book signing, then this is your second chance! Today ONLY, Jan 7, 4PM to 7PM 
Visit UCAN's Hillcrest Offices at 3100 5th Avenue today (get Map) and meet Michael Shames and the UCAN Staff.  You'll also get this 240-page laugh-out-loud THANK YOU GIFT from UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames when you join or renew your membership at the $25 level. Details.

Law blog credits UCAN and its affiliate, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse for making California the most pro-consumer state in the U.S.A

Posted November 26th, 2010 by Charles Langley

LAW BLOG is citing UCAN, the Utility Consumers' Action Network, and our affiliate, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, as playing a major role in developing many of California's toughest pro-consumer laws. Full Story.

Law blog credits UCAN and its affiliate, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse for making California the most pro-consumer state in the U.S.A

Posted November 26th, 2010 by Charles Langley

The highly respected LAW BLOG has just posted an article on consumer rights and the law that credits UCAN and its affilliate, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, for giving California "the strongest consumer protection laws of any US state."  FULL STORY.

Discover Card Lowered Interest Rate for Customer

Posted September 10th, 2010 by ucansue

A UCAN member wants you to know that his call to Discover Card resulted in lowering his credit card interest rate.  Has Discover Card become humane and will others follow? Read on.

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