I have almost no opinions these days, the outside world seems confusing and I fear the tectonic plates of society are shifting under my feet. I’m not disabled by my fears, but I have nothing to say in these confusing times. I have no idea of the significance of Hunter’s laptop. I don’t know if lockdowns are necessary. Asking for a friend, is Hunter banging his daughters and Obama’s? Is that why the FBI did not move on his laptop? Will the Dems win in a landslide? Three minor pollsters predict a Trump victory (Patrick Basham, Trafalgar, Rasmussen). In 2012, Mitt Romney never had a chance and the pollsters were right. In 2016, the elites and the pollsters were wrong and Trump surprised everyone. I see no chance of a Trump landslide. I bet he either squeaks to victory or the Dems win big.<\/p>\n
Here is what I am reading:<\/p>\n
* NPR: You’re Not Welcome Here: How Social Distancing Can Destroy The Global Economy<\/a> I’ve done almost no in-person socializing since the virus hit in March. I just live in my little bubble, talk to people on the phone, and read books.\ufeff<\/p>\n David Lazarus is right<\/a>:<\/p>\n You know what I\u2019m talking about. An insurance plan, a gym membership, a cable or internet service \u2014 sometimes breaking up isn\u2019t just hard to do; it seems downright impossible.<\/p>\n Do a search for the phrase \u201cwhy is it so hard to cancel.\u201d You\u2019ll find anguished posts involving dozens if not hundreds of companies whose cancellation policies and practices left customers at wit\u2019s end.<\/p>\n Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, called automatic contract renewals and difficult cancellations \u201ca predatory practice that many industries are addicted to for an obvious reason \u2014 a monthly stream of income.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t sign contracts that bind you to monthly renewals with no option to cancel,\u201d she warned…<\/p>\n The business world needs to know clearly and definitively that muscling consumers in this way will result in hefty penalties and\/or prison terms.<\/p>\n \u201cIf companies aren\u2019t willing to do the right thing voluntarily, we should strengthen state laws to ensure consumers aren\u2019t stuck with goods and services they don\u2019t want and don\u2019t need,\u201d said Emily Rusch, executive director of the California Public Interest Research Group.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially during a pandemic, you shouldn\u2019t have to show up in person in order to cancel your gym membership, as some gyms require,\u201d she said. \u201cNor should you have your phone call put on hold interminably in order to cancel your cable or internet service.\u201d<\/p>\n At a minimum, all companies should be required to clearly disclose their cancellation procedure before any money changes hands. Their websites and apps should be required to make canceling easy to do online, including mandatory confirmation emails that the service has stopped.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll go that one better. How about a law that says any consumer who cancels a service via registered mail, and who can verify that cancellation with a receipt from the U.S. Postal Service, cannot be held responsible for any subsequent fees imposed by a business?<\/p>\n Moreover, any such fees collected by a company would have to be immediately returned or the company would face stiff penalties.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have almost no opinions these days, the outside world seems confusing and I fear the tectonic plates of society are shifting under my feet. I’m not disabled by my fears, but I have nothing to say in these confusing … Continue reading
\n* COVID’s cognitive costs? Some patients’ brains may age 10 years<\/a><\/p>\n