Podcast

Consumer Watchdog's Podcasts

 

Welcome to our Podcasting Series, where you can listen to recent commentaries and analysis about news of the day from the seasoned advocates at Consumer Watchdog.

Subscribe to our podcast by loading the following link into your preferred reader, or just search for us on iTunes:
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast.xml

 

 

 

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How Cost Standardization Can Help Save the American Health Care System.

 

Thursday,  May 09 2013
Jamie returns to the airwaves to tell Norm about the largest and best selling piece of fiction in American today - medical costs and the associated bills.  What makes this fiction even better is that the ending changes depending on where you live and what hospital you check into.  Unfortunately, this story is having catastrophic effects on the American public and needs to be rectified and Jamie tells Norm how to do it:  Standardization of medical costs or in other words a procedure in one hospital should have the same base cost as an analogous procedure does in a different one.  Yes, excellence in care will still be rewarded with good doctors and facilities being able to receive better compensation, but consumers need to know that they will be protected from arbitrary price gouging.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_05-09-13_court.mp3

 

38 is Too Late Special Feature: Bob Pack and the Quest to Overturn 38 Years of Unfair Malpractice Protection

 

Thursday,  May 02 2013
Norm is joined this week by special guest Bob Pack - NetZero software pioneer and tireless advocate for the reformation of the medical malpractice and doctor supervision system in California.  Bob and Norm discuss the brand new initaitive launched yesterday by Consumer Watchdog and victims families in Sacramento to reform the medical malpractice law that set the cost of a child's life at $250,000 back in 1975.  Since Jerry Brown signed the bill into law back then the value of everything else has gone up, except for the price of a child's life.  The discussion also highlights the provisions of the initiative that will help clean up California's doctor discipline system that has seen too many lives lost to over prescribing and reckless doctors - including Bob's two children who were lost to a doped up driver fresh from doctor shopping. 

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_05-02-13_bobpack.mp3

 

Captive Markets: Why Health Insurance Companies Are Happy About Obamacare

 

Friday,  April 26 2013
Jamie and Norm return to a topic that has had Consumer Watchdog buzzing for the past few years - what happens when Obamacare goes into effect later this year, and unscrupulous health insurance companies have a captive market and no regulations.  If they are left unattended, health insurance companies will continue to run roughshod over the pocketbooks of Californians as they raise rates by double - and some times triple - digits. But with the Health Insurance Rate Public Justification & Accountaibility Act on the 2014 general eleciton ballot, Californians have a chance to escape the captive market and reign in greedy health insurance companies before it's too late.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_04-26-13_court.mp3

 

There is No Such Thing As a Free App!

 

Friday, 19 April 2013
Jamie and Norm discuss the ever evolving world of mobile applications, including the official announcement that Consumer Watchdog is expanding our mobile application to the Android environment.  Jamie discusses the importance of an app's privacy policy especially in light of AG Kamala Harris' crusade on behalf of Californians online and mobile privacy.  Consumer Watchdog has a strigent privacy poilicy that is viewable on the applicaiton and in the App Store and Google Play. It's the law, but many apps are behind the times and are being foreced by new law to impelement stricter policies for the benefit of all consumers.  But what about the stores themselves - Jamie talks about what happens when you downloand an app (even a free one) from Google Play and how your information could be passed along to the developer without you knowing.  So really, there is no such thing as a free app.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_04-19-13_court.mp3

 

The Poor, Poor Over-Scrutinized Health Insurance Industry Wants the Public to Feel Sorry For Them - Fat Chance!

 

Thursday, 4 April 2013
To the sound a millions of tiny violins, the insurance companies of California cried foul this week when they were publicly called out for unjustly raising rates. The companies - led by Anthem Blue Cross and their increase on 7k small businesses - felt slighted by the Department of Insurance using a grant from the Affordable Care Act to pay for outside actuary help in deteremining the legitimacy of rate hikes.  The insurance industry wined that this new partnership puts too much scrutiny on them. Maybe they can find comfort in their billions of unreasonable annual profits.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_04-04-13_court.mp3

 

How California will be the Epicenter for Act Two for Health Reform - the fight for affordability!

 

Thursday, 28 March 2013
Carmen - Consumer Watchdog's Executive Director - joined Norm this week to discuss the opening salvo in act two for health reform in California - the fight to make it affordable.  With Obamacare being implemented in full by the beginning of 2014, health insurance companies are doing their best to make their products unaffordable to consumers - especially in California where despite rate hikes being completely unjustified there is no mechanism to stop them. That is, there is no current mechanism. If Californians approve of the Health Insurance Rate Public Justification and Accountability Act in November 2014, California will join 35 other states and finally give the government the right to tell health insurance companies to stuff their greed and care about their customers for once. Health insurance companies are lining up to spend millions upon millions to fight reform, but with the groundswell of outraged consumers speaking up, reform is only a matter of time.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_03-28-13_balber.mp3

 

The California State Medical Board: Protecting Physicians and Not Consumers

 

Friday, 15 March 2013
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court joined Norm to discuss last week's heart wrenching hearing in front of the California State Legislature where victims' families pleaded for reform of the state Medical Board now that is  has become a vehicle for physician protection and not consumer protection. He described the details these shocked and bereaved families members shared as they described how their now-deceased relatives were over prescribed medications by pill pushing doctors - some of whom were simply out for profit.  In the face of entrenched and monied opposition to reform, the emotional stories of these victims' families seemingly had an effect on the hardened legislators. Jamie and Norm also discuss the decades old law that inhumanely caps the amount of money that a victim of malpractice can recoup even in the case of serious injury.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_03-15-13_court.mp3
 

Online Privacy - One step forward, a Google steps back.

 

Thursday, 7 March 2013
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court joins the Norman Goldman Show to discuss the myriad issues concerning our online privacy. To start, Jamie commends Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) for introducing his Do-Not-Track bill back into the Senate.  It would codify a policy that the FTC has already endorsed and finally force browsers to respect user requests to browse anonymously. The conversation then shifted to the privacy concerns associated with Google's new Glasses.  Just think what can be tracked by the video camera in them and where that data can be sold.  Google's new biological data farm will allow corporations to see our lives through our eyes and privacy will never be the same.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_03-07-13_court.mp3

 

Soaring Gas Prices: Oil Company's Dirty Little Trick

 

Thursday, 28 February 2013
In light of continuous increases in gas prices in California, Jamie and Norm discuss the dirty trick being played by California's oil refiners.  Those gas shortages and refinery shut downs, they claim drive up prices? A sham! Unlike most states that have gas reserves of 3 to 4 weeks, California's oil refiners are keeping only 10 to 20 days worth of gas on hand.  So when their refineries mysteriously go off line, they can increase prices all they want.  And this comes just as a merger of two California refiners (BP & Tesoro) that would give over 50% of the refinery inventory to just two companies.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_02-28-13_court.mp3
 

Golden Wasteland Report Exposes the Toxicity of California's Toxic Regulators

 

Thursday, 21 February 2013
Jamie and Norm discuss Consumer Watchdog's newly released Golden Wasteland report and it's scathing account of mismanagment and buck passing going on at California's Department of Toxic Substances Control. California communities are suffering as their soil and air are being polluted by serial violators of California's stringent environmental laws, but those violators - several of which are operating with expired permits - are given cursory slaps on the wrists by DTSC and nothing else. As Jamie was detailing out what the report called for, word broke out of Sacramento that Senator DeLeon has called for a full legislative investigation into how DTSC could let this violation of the public trust and health continue to occur.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_02-21-13_court.mp3
 

 

The Tale of Force-Placed Insurance: Too Little Coverage; Too Much Cost

 

Thursday, 14 February 2013
Consumer Watchdog's Executive Director Carmen Balber joins Norman this week to talk about the shortcomings of 'force-placed' insurance.  Many consumers - who let their homeowners insurance laspe for a short amount of time - are greeted by insurance forced upon them by their mortgage holding banks that is both expensive in cost and short in benefits.  But guess what? Even if you get your homeowners' insurance back up after only a few days, many times you are responsible for the cost of the remaining period of the forced-placed. Talk about about a disproportional penalty for missing a payment.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_02-14-13_balber.mp3

 

How the 2014 California General Election Will Help Make Obamacare Affordable

 

Thursday, 31 January 2013
With President Obama's second term beginning 11 days ago, Jamie and Norm investigate the next steps in the implmentation of Obamacare.  2013 will see many of the crucial aspects of the Affordable Healthcare Act put into place, but the question is, will health insurance really be affordable?  Premiums continue to raise and in California there is currently nothing that can be done to stop them from destorying the livelihood of hardworking consumers.  Jamie shares the progress of Consumer Watchdog Campaign's 2014 ballot measure to force health insurance companies to publically justify their rate increases before they take effect.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-31-13_court.mp3

 

How One Email Can Change Your Online Experience

 

Thursday, 24 January 2013
Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Project Director John Simpson pinch hits for Jamie on this week's Norman Goldman podcast.  Norman and John discuss how one simple email can result in countless popup advertisements pertaining to the subject of the original email.  John points out that this is just another example of Google and other internet companies turning their users into commoditized products and selling them to advertisers.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-24-13_simpson.mp3

 

Google, the FTC and a Missed Opportunity to Protect Consumers

 

Thursday, 10 January 2013
Jamie and Norman discuss the baffling decision made by the FTC to simply slap Google on the wrist instead of bringing a full antitrust case against the internet giant.  The FTC not only missed an opportunity to really change how Google unfairly ranks their searches, but truly missed the target in terms of what it should have been looking at - Google's information monopoly.  The case now lies in the hands of state's Attorneys General - like Texas - and with the new head of the US Department of Justice's antitrust unit.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-10-13_court.mp3

 

Making The Next Wave of Obamacare Affordable

 

Thursday, 3 January 2013
Jamie and Norman spend their first segment of 2013 discussing how the next wave of Obamacare implementation will effect the pocketbooks of everyday Californians.  California just received permission from the Obama administration to set up it's own health care exchange so that residents can go to one place to have access to health insurance.  But with our rate regulation, will the marketplace even be filled with affordable options.  Jamie and Norm finish by talking about the future effects of the 2014 ballot measure in CA sponsored by Consumer Watchdog Campaign to institute rate regulation in California.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-03-13_court.mp3

 

How Personal Data Brokers Are Secretly Commoditizing Consumers

 

Thursday, 21 December 2012
Ever wonder why you get credit card applications in the mail after you open a new one? Or even drug company online ads after you search on WebMD?  Your information is being collected by so-called Personal Data Brokers and many consumers don't even know about it. Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court discusses this secretive practice of commoditizing consumers and how the FTC is working to uncover the practices and how consumers can correct faulty information or opt-out all together.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_12-20-12_court.mp3

 

How Hyundai's False MPG Ratings Bamboozled Consumers

 

Thursday, 29 November 2012
Hyundai has been marketing its so-called 'fuel-friendly' fleet to American consumers for years as the EPA gave them an original MPG rating that was very favorable.  Turns out, however, that the EPA just re-rated 4 models - Sonata Hybrid, Elantra, Accent and Veloster - and now they all have lower MPG ratings than before.  Jamie and Norm discuss how Consumer Watchdog's work helped bring about these new and correct ratings and what is being done to help consumers who bought these cars under false pretexts.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_11-29-12_court.mp3

 

Falsified Reports Led to $5 Gas Prices

 

Thursday, 15 November 2012
With gas prices in California spiking to over $5, many in California were told that it was because oil companies had shut down parts of their refineries for maintnence and safety purposes.  As Jamie and Norm discuss, these reports and the official documentation to back them up appear to be false.  Hear what Jamie has to say about these greedy oil companies and their actions taht caused consumers to have to pay over $5 at the pump.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_11-17-12_court.mp3

 

Billionaire-Backed Initiatives Fail Electoral Test

 

Thursday, 8 November 2012
With the 2012 Presidential Election over, Jamie Court looks back at how the monied interests lost out to populist messaging.  In contest after contest, from Karl Rove's $400 million debacle on the Presidential race, to George Joseph's $17.4 million waste in losing Prop 33, voters rejected attempts to buy their votes all over the country.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_11-08-12_court.mp3

 

Sunshine and Secrets in Campaign Funding

 

Thursday, 1 November 2012
As we close in on election day, secretive outside interests are attempting to hijack the vote on several ballot initiatives in California and other states. Jamie Court discusses what our current options are for exposing their influence and money to sunlight, as well as what reforms should be pursued in the future.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_11-01-12_court.mp3

 

Busy Time For Consumer Watchdog

 

Thursday, 18 October 2012
After a few week's hiatus, Jamie and Norm catch up on what's been going on, including an ironic twist of fate for Google, an oil industry putting profits before people, and billionaires taking over California's ballot initiative process.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_10-18-12_court.mp3

 

Privatization of the internet by any other name...

 

Thursday, 20 September 2012
Jamie and Norman discuss a possible plan to open the floodgates of top-level domains to the highest bidder. Do you look forward to a future where .eat is controlled by Google, .shop belongs to Amazon, or .word is controlled by Microsoft? They don't either.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_09-20-12_court.mp3

 

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the Ballot Initiative Process

 

Thursday, 13 September 2012
Jamie is back on the Norman Goldman show to discuss the double-edged sword that is the ballot initiative process. In particular, they discuss CA Prop 33 on November's ballot which is a cynical and deceptive attempt by a billionaire insurance executive to trick the public in to voting for higher insurance rates.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_09-13-12_court.mp3

 

Consumer Watchdog Fighting Google's Slap-On-The-Wrist Fine

 

Thursday, 30 August 2012
Consumer Watchdog's privacy policy director, John M. Simpson, visits Norman's show to discuss the sweetheart deal Google has been handed in regard to their violation of a consent decree, and what Consumer Watchdog intends to do to fix the problem.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_08-30-12_simpson.mp3

 

Google Fined For It's Violation Of Apple User's Privacy Rights

 

Thursday, 12 July 2012
Jamie and Norman review the current threats to our privacy through both illegal 'hacking' of private data, as well as a lack of enforcement against those companies that would ignore our wishes for the sake of their own profits.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_07-12-12_court.mp3

 

Now That The Affordable Care Act Has Been Upheld, What's Next?

 

Thursday, 5 July 2012
Jamie and Norman discuss what the next steps are for ensuring not only that all Americans are insured, but that their coverage is both affordable and effective - two imperatives that point toward state based regulation, tailored to their residents needs.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_07-05-12_court.mp3

 

Blue Shield's Revival Of Their "Death Spiral" Scheme, And The Class Action Suit That Followed.

 

Thursday, 14 June 2012
Jamie Court and Norman Goldman discuss and explain how a "death spiral" works, why it was illegalized two decades ago, and how Consumer Watchdog is putting a stop to the hidden practice.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_06-14-12_court.mp3

 

Conspicuous Money In Contentious Politics

 

Thursday, 7 June 2012
With out of control levels of money clogging elections, and threatening our democratic process, Jamie Court shares sound advice with how the proverbial David can fight the myriad corporate Goliaths.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_06-07-12_court.mp3

 

Autonomous Cars Aren't All Fun And Games

 

Thursday, 31 May 2012
Google's new self-driving cars represent a major leap forward in technological prowess. But the question of why Google would chose to invest countless man hours and capitol in persuit of a technology that part of their core mission. ...or is it?

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_05-31-12_court.mp3

 

Signature Gathering System Needs To Be Reformed

Tuesday, 24 May 2012
If you've been to a grocery store or farmers market lately, you've likely been approached by someone holding a clipboard, asking you whether you are registered to vote or if you would sign a petition to support this or that proposition.
But did you ever stop to wonder what kind of compensation these workers receive? As it turns out, most workers canvassing the entrance to your favorite food stand get paid by the signature — anywhere from a dollar fifty to three dollars per John Hancock.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/kpcc-criticsskepticalofjustifyrates.mp3

 

Just a little more time...

 

Thursday, 10 May 2012
Only a few days remain in our relentless statewide push to collect 800,000 signatures from California residents so we can all have the right to vote on whether or not health insurers should have to justify their rate hikes before they take effect. Details of how and why California's model for regulation is the most effective in the nation are discussed...

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_05-10-12_court.mp3

 

The Final Push To Get Justify Rates On The Ballot

 

Thursday, 3 May 2012
As the time to collect signatures from California residents winds down, the campaign to finally make health insurers justify their rate hikes before they can take effect sits on a precipice. Having already collected over six hundred-thousand signatures, that number still sits below the total goal of 795,000. While the fate of the proposition is in question, there is no question of what will happen if it does not make it to a vote...

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_05-03-12_court.mp3

 

How much is a signature worth?

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

We take you inside the economics of signature gathering for petitions. Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, says there's a street war going on to get initiatives on the November ballot.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/jamie-kpcc-m_brandshow.mp3

 

Hot Gas Finally Feels The Heat

 

 

Thursday, 19 April 2012
Following several years of championing the effort to get traction on this $1.5 Billon annual ripoff of drivers, a number of lawsuits are finally compelling the major oil companies to implement corrections to the way gas is priced at the pump.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_04-19-12_court.mp3

 

Google Goggles Become A Reality

 

 

Thursday, 5 April 2012
With Google's introduction of their first beta-model of functional Google Goggles - a reality enhancing visor worn like glasses - the acolades for this revolutionary product have been rolling in. But few people other than Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court have raised the question of why Google is making this product...

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_04-05-12_court.mp3

 

The Future of Health Care and the Supreme Court

 

Thursday, 29 March 2012
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court is back on this week's installment of the Norman Goldman show to discuss the future of American health care as the Supreme Court appears set to invalidate most or all of the proposed health care law. Invalidation of the mandate could even open the door to a more civil form of universally accessible health care.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_03-22-12_court.mp3

 

Unchecked Rate Hikes, And What Californian's Can Do About It

 

Thursday, 22 March 2012
Norman Goldman and Jamie Court discuss the pervasive nature of unchecked health care rate hikes, and how the insurance giants can raise rates 20% and then convince the public they're getting a great deal. The solution? Make them publicly justify their rates, and seek approval before implementing. Sign the petition at JustifyRates.org.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_03-22-12_court.mp3

 

Sign the petition at JustifyRates.org to Rein In Health Insurance to Rein In Health Insurance Rates

 

Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Radio host Norman Goldman and JustifyRates.org Campaign Manager Carmen Balber talk about how citizens can take on the health insurance companies.
California voters can download, print, sign and return the official ballot petition at JustifyRates.org to make health insurance companies get rates approved before they take effect. The all-volunteer initiative campaign will rein in health insurance premiums that have increased 153% in the last decade - 5 times the rate of inflation.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_02-08-12_balber.mp3

 

Jamie Court announces the launch of the Justify Rates initiative.

 

Thursday, 2 February 2012
Jamie Court announces the launch of the Justify Rates initiative, which is seeking to put a proposition on the 2012 ballot that would force health insurers to publicly justify their rates - under penalty of perjury - before they take effect.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_02-02-12_court.mp3

 

Jamie Court describes the implications of Google's new privacy policy and corporate direction.

 

Thursday, 26 Janurary 2012
Jamie Court discusses the implications of Google's choosing to compile all its users data into one profile and sell it to advertisers, as well as altering search results to favor their own products and services.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-26-12_court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses SOPA, PIPA and the future of intellectual property rights.

 

Thursday, 19 Janurary 2012
Jamie Court discusses the effectiveness of the anti- SOPA and PIPA social media campaigns, as well as the future of intellectual property rights in what he describes as a battle between privacy and piracy.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-19-12_court.mp3

 

Jamie Court talks with Norman Goldman about the destruction of our 7th Amendment rights through corporate-directed arbitration clauses.

 

Thursday, 12 Janurary 2012
Jamie Court discusses the spread of arbitration clauses in contracts which undermines a person's right to a trial in court. Making matters worse, arbitrators are hired by corporations, and as such rule in favor of the corporation an overwhelming percentage of the time.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-12-12_court.mp3

 

Jamie Court announces his intention to get a proposition on the 2012 ballot to regulate health insurance costs in the state of California.

 

Thursday, 5 Janurary 2012
Jamie Court discusses the hows and whys of getting a proposition on the 2012 ballot that will allow California citizens to choose whether they want health insurers to have to publicly justify their rate hikes before they take effect.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_01-05-12_court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses the evolving debate and future of the national health care legislation.

 

Thursday, 15 December 2011
Jamie Court discusses the implications of the national health care law, which is slated to be reviewed by the Supreme Court next year. He also discusses Obama's decision to protect a key provision of the law against waivers requested by certain states.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/NG_12-15-11_Court.mp3

 

Jamie and Norm discuss "The Dirty Thirty" corporations that manipulate the system to pay no taxes.

Thursday, 8 December 2011
Jamie Court discusses how corporations like those in "The Dirty Thirty" list use tax loopholes and massive lobbying efforts to take without giving back to our country, and infringe on our rights and liberties at the same time.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/NG_12-08-11_Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses smart phones tracking users every move, phone call and internet search.

Thursday, 1 December 2011
Jamie Court discusses the scope and consequences of recent revelations regarding the "Carrier IQ" program loaded on every Android smartphone - which cannot be turned off or deleted - and reports on every move and / or keystroke performed by the user.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/ng_12-01-11_court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses the possibility to impose the financial transaction tax on Wall St. traders.

Thursday, 3 November 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses why the national nurses union is marching on the office of Tim Geithner, and how he is a major source of oppositon in getting Wall St. to pay their fair share of taxes on the money they make every day.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/NG_11-03-11_Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses the trajectory of the Occupy Wall St. Movement

Thursday, 27 October 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses the trajectory of the Occupy Wall St. movement, and the mounting opposition to their prolonged presence at the entrance to the halls of power.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/NG_10-27-11_Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses health insurance rate regulation in CA and putting a proposition on the ballot.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Jamie Court, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, discusses plans to put an initiative to add a state-run health care public option on California’s 2012 ballot.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast-9-13-11_puboptprop_jamie.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses the great news on the health care front in CA.

Thursday, 2 June 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses the health insurance rate regulation bill AB 52 making it out of the California Assembly with only 7 votes in opposition.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/NG_06-02-11_Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses the need to enact AB 52 - a proposed law that would require health insurers to ask the Insurance Commissioner's permission before raising rates.

Thursday, 26 May 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses the newly revealed millions in annual salaries for the top executives at Blue Shield of California - a supposedly non-profit health insurer - and how those salaries coupled with their attempt to raise rates by 86% this year serves as a clear argument as to why Californians need the Assembly Bill AB 52 to be made into law.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/NG_05-26-11_Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court discusses changes to the American mortgage market.

Thursday, 19 May 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses how the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, being lead by Elisabeth Warren just issued new rules making homeowner/mortgage contracts simpler and easier to understand.
http://normangoldman.com/uploads/media/2378/NG_5-19-11_Jamie-Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court spells out the necessity of tough and fair state-run rate regulation for health insurance.

Thursday, 12 May 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court spells out the necessity of tough and fair state-run rate regulation for health insurance. With all U.S. citizens being required to purchase private insurance plans starting in 2014, the states must step forward to ensure those policies are both affordable as well as comprehensive.
http://www.normangoldman.com/uploads/media/2367/Jamie_05-12-11.mp3

 

Jamie Court Discusses Online Privacy and the Nation's First Hearings On a Proposed "Do Not Track Me" Law in California

Thursday, 5 May 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses the issue of online privacy and the forces aligned against your rights. The nation's first legislative committee hearings over a proposed "Do Not Track Me" law were held in California this week. Despite an overwhelming presence of lobbyists from Big Tech, the proposal made it out of committee on a 3-2 vote.
http://www.normangoldman.com/uploads/media/2356/Norm_JCourt_5-5-11.mp3

 

Jamie Court Discusses Gas Prices and the Supreme Court's Devastating Decision Against Class Action Rights

Thursday, 28 April 2011
In this week's spot on the Norman Goldman Show, Jamie Court discusses the price of oil and how speculation is driving the price up, rather than on the ground / real-world costs. He'll also discuss the Supreme Court's ruling that class action lawsuits cannot occur if there is an arbitration clause in the contract.
http://www.normangoldman.com/uploads/media/2347/Jamie-Court.mp3

 

Jamie Court is a guest on the Norman Goldman Show

Thursday, 21 April 2011
Jamie Court discusses the implications of a POTUS visit, iPhone secret tracking, Earth Day, and traffic jams.
http://normangoldman.com/uploads/media/2335/court-interview.mp3

 

Viacom v. Google Copyright Infringement Suit Documents Released... kind of

Thursday, 18 March 2010
Despite the release of records to the public from the highly contentious Viacom v. Google Copyright Infringement Suit, depositions from major players within Google's increasingly secretive inner circle were kept from public scrutiny for untold reasons.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_3-18-10_Simpson.mp3

 

Anthem Blue Cross As Best Spokesman For Health Care Reform

Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Consumer Watchdog's Judy Dugan discusses how, after Obama's latest speech on health care reform, Anthem Blue Cross's announced 40%+ rate hikes remain an important ally in backing up his argument.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_3-2-10_Dugan_BCasHCAdvoc.mp3

 

Google's Buzz, And Lingering Issues Of Privacy

Tuesday, 12 February 2010
Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson comments on Google Buzz and the company's continuing problem with properly protecting the privacy of individual users.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_2-12-10_Simpson_GoogleBuzz.mp3

 

Google Feigns Privacy, Then Feigns Responsible Corporate Action When Caught

Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson discusses the ongoing breaches of privacy Google seems conveniently unaware of.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_2-2-10_Simpson.mp3

 

Persistent Lies Employed In Shaping The Health Care Debate

Thursday, 12 November 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Judy Dugan discusses how, despite being exposed again and again as lies, several sources of misinformation useful in dismantling support for the Public Option remain active in the evolving debate meant to shape health care reform.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_11-12-09_Dugan-LiesInHealthCareDebate.mp3

 

Google's False Promise Of Control and Privacy

Thursday, 12 November 2009
Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson discusses the false promise of control and privacy with Google's Dashboard.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_11-12-09_Simpson-GoogleDashboard.mp3

 

Medical Tourism - "In Netork" Is Just A Continent Away...

Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Judy Dugan discusses the emerging market of medical tourism and how foreign countries are trying to woo American HMOs and Employers to make their hospitals "in network."
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_10-3-09_Dugan-MedTourism.mp3

 

The Medicare Advantage Scam

Tuesday, 21 October 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Judy Dugan explains how Medicare Advantage has been turned into a profiteering machine for private insurers.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast_10-21-09_dugan_medAdvantScam.mp3

 

Making Health Insurers Accountable For Their Actions

Thursday, 8 October 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jerry Flanagan takes a minute to discuss the travesty of ERISA, and how health insurers are free to deny coverage without fear of any form of legal reprisal for doing so.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast-Instant_10-8-09_JerryERISA.mp3

 

Strict Regulation Is Shown To Foster Strong Competition And Healthy Profits

Thursday, 1 October 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court takes a minute to advocate strict regulation for any company hoping to get a piece of the impending health insurance deal running through Congress. He reminds us that history shows regulation is good for the consumer and for business.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast-Min_10-1-09_Court.mp3

 

The Officers Of The National Association Of Insurance Commissioners Are Trying To Write The Laws

Monday, 29 September 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Judy Dugan takes a minute to describe the dire circumstances surrounding the National Association Of Insurance Commissioners' attempt to write the framework for the national health care system, including plans that would circumvent state laws and leave little recourse for individuals when they have to sue.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast-judynaic092609.mp3

 

Formation Of The Consumer Financial Protection Agency, And Those Who Want To Stop It

Monday, 29 September 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Carmen Balber takes a minute to describe the formation of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and the Big Banking forces aligned to gut, or stop it's implementation all together.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast-carmencfpa092809.mp3

 

Baucus' Anemic, Expensive Health Insurance Reform Bill

Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jerry Flanagan talks with Judy Dugan about the Senator Max Baucus' anemic health insurance reform bill and it's ridiculous price tag.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_9-15-09_Dugan-Flanagan.mp3

 

Congressional Hearings On Google's Book Deal

Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson discusses his testimony for a congressional committee investigating Google's book deal.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_9-15-09_Simpson.mp3

 

Baucus' Comprehensive Health Insurance Reform Analyzed

Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jerry Flanagan talks with Judy Dugan about the Senator Max Baucus' plan for health insurance reform and its pitfalls for consumers.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast-9-8-09-CompHealthReformAnalyzed.mp3

 

Town Hall Meetings And The Debate Over Reforming Health Insurance

Thursday, 13 August 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jerry Flanagan talks with Barbara Bogaev about the mood found at town hall meetings when debating health insurance reform.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_8-13-09_Flanagan-Bogaev.mp3

 

National Health Insurance Reform Needs To Hold Health Insurers Legally Accountable

Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jerry Flanagan and Judy Dugan discuss why we need more legal accountability for health insurers federal health reform legislation.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_8-4-09_Flanagan-Dugan_ERISA.mp3

 

GM's Bankruptcy Leaves Victims Of Faulty Products With No Protection

Friday, 3 July 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Doug Heller and Jamie Court talk about how GM's bankruptcy deal is going to leave the victims of catastrophic accidents caused by crippling design flaws out in the cold, with no recourse and no compensation.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast_7-1-09_GM-Bankruptcy.mp3

 

Turning Obama's Fuel Efficiency Standards Into Affordable Cars

Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Doug Heller and Judy Dugan talk about the President's announcement that he's overhauling fuel efficiency standards and about Consumer Watchdog's new report card on the best and worst technologies for getting cleaner cars.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/podcast_5-19-09_Cheaper-Cleaner_Future.mp3

 

Health Care Reform, Or HMO Bailout?

Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Jamie Court and Judy Dugan discuss how universal health care reform efforts in Washington, DC are going astray, and what's needed to get reform back on track.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Podcast_5-13-09-HealthCareReformOrHMOBailout.mp3

 

Allstate's Federal Deregulation

Monday, 4 May 2009
Jamie Court and Doug Heller discuss Allstate's effort to use the financial crisis as an excuse to remove the insurance industry from state oversight.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Allstates_Federal_Deregulation_Podcast_5-4-09.mp3

 

Costco Cools The Hot Fuel Ripoff

Wedesday, 22 April 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court and Judy Dugan discuss Costco's decision to sell temperature-adjusted fuel to consumers; and how this concession represents the first chink in the armor of Big Oil's multi-billion dollar fleecing of American consumers.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Pod_OilWatchdog_Court-Dugan-4-22-09.mp3

 

Limiting the Google Books deal

Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court and John Simpson discuss their recent conversation with the US Justice Department about curbing Google's monopolistic power under the Google Books settlement.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Pod_DogHouse_Court-Simpson_3-14-09.mp3

 

Consumer Watchdog's Conversation About the White House Western Regional Forum On Health Care

Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court and Doug Heller discuss and analyze the recent White House forum on Health Care.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Pod_HlthCare_Heller-Court_3-7-09.mp3

 

Why Obama Shouldn't Listen to Arnold on Health Care Reform

Thursday, 2 April 2009
Jamie Court explains why "Arnold Care" wasn't a model for the nation.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/resources/Pod_ObamaWatch_J-Court_3-2-09.mp3

 

 

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Our Previous Podcast Series:

June 26, 2007 - 'Sicko' Could Cure American Apathy
Michael Moore's latest film comes out this week, and commentator Jamie Court thinks it might provide the emotional kick in the pants Americans need to finally demand universal health care and put private insurers out of business.

June 21, 2007 - Sue the Banks
OK, let's say you've been swindled. Who are you going to trust to get your money back - Uncle Sam or private plaintiffs' attorneys?

May 10, 2007 - The Market's the Problem with Health Care
Jamie Court says some of the biggest names on the Fortune 500 claim they want market forces to fix the problem of high health care costs. So they support the government making every American buy health insurance.

March 26, 2007 - Fuel Prices a Hot Topic
Jamie Court says it's simple physics. When it gets hot, gasoline expands. So you get less energy per gallon. Unfortunately, our gas pumps don't account for that.

February 26, 2007 - Health Security Is Now Mandatory Health Insurance?
Jamie Court says politicians and the medical insurance complex have morphed the universal heath care debate into a government campaign to force patients to buy health insurance.

February 9, 2007 - Three California Elections in 2008?
Jamie Court says California politicians are up to their dirty tricks. They're using the call for an early presidential primary as a Trojan horse to end term limits and keep their jobs in November. And saddling taxpayers with a $90 million bill to boot.

January 25, 2007 - "Gold-plated" Is In The Eyes Of The Beholder
Jamie Court On Bushcare: "Gold plated" health insurance is in the eye of the beholder says Court, who believes, "Government must force insurers to price their policies more fairly before it taxes people who are unfairly charged."

January 2, 2007 - Gas-price conspiracy? You bet!
The 110th Congress will be sworn in on Thursday. Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi has promised a whirlwind first 100 hours of the session. On the Democrats' list of things to do is cut subsidies to the oil industry. Perhaps as a result, the American Petroleum Institute � that's big oil's main lobbying group � is launching a public relations offensive.

November 2, 2006 - Eminent domain's slippery, costly slope
Measures in four Western states would force local governments to pay property owners if regulations � such as zoning � reduce their property value. Commentator Jamie Court argues that would actually hurt taxpayers and homeowners.

October 11, 2006 - Take the Politics Out of the Money
Members of Congress are back in their districts campaigning hard, many on the dime of lobbying groups after not passing any lobbying and ethics reform. Commentator and consumer advocate Jamie Court says it all comes down to getting what you pay for.

August 24, 2006 - Taking the ZIP-code Out of Auto Insurance
FTCR's Jamie Court explains why the nation should follow California's lead.

July 07, 2006 - Lay's Legacy
Ken Lay may have left the earth, but FTCR president Jamie Court talks about how his spirit is still with us in this Marketplace commentary from American Public Radio...

June 22, 2006 - AT&T Wants To Takeover Your World....
AT&T is lobbying on capitol hill for a pay-tv deregulation bill that�s likely to make it to the President�s desk. FTCR President Jamie Court tells you what it means to you.

May 24, 2006 - Going After The Gasoline Price Gougers
The oil industry is gouging Americans. FTCR's Jamie Court explains what the government needs to do about it. Listen to his commentary from American Public Media's Marketplace program.

March 20, 2006 - Will Bush and Congress Undo States' HMO Patients Rights Laws?
Junk health insurance coverage that does not includes benefits required by state law will be all too familiar in every state if President Bush and Congress have their way. The Senate could pass a bill soon. Listen to Jamie Court's commentary from American Public Media's Marketplace program.

January 23, 2006 - "Go Ahead and Die" by Austin Lounge Lizards and FTCR
Watch the animated music video featuring a new song - Go Ahead and Die - by the Austin Lounge Lizards urging Americans to sink the Pirates of the Health Care-ibbean.

Watch Other Health Care Animations & Videos by FTCR - Stay Tuned for More Podcasts.

 

• Stop the Pig People From Outer Space (PPOs).
• Fight Big Pharma: Prescription Drug Bulk Purchasing.
• HMO Merger Watch: PacifiCare Pig Out.

December 8, 2005 - Should Your Auto Insurance Rates Go Up If You Live Near a Restaurant?
A new insurance industry study says your auto insurance rates should change if you live near a church or a supermarket. FTCR's Doug Heller explains why this scheme should never be used and why the current system of ZIP Code based insurance rates is just as bad.

October 31, 2005 - If You Don't Show, You Can't Vote "No"
Jamie Court says that Arnold Schwarzenegger and his corporate backers want voters to stay home from the polls during next week's special election. And here's why.

October 10, 2005 - Katrina Relief Efforts Need Public Works, Not GOP Contractors
Jobs are the ultimate hurricane relief, so how can it be that federal government sponsored relief jobs are going to out-of-state contractors? By FTCR President Jamie Court

October 7, 2005 - Oil Companies Exporting Heating Oil To Drive Up the Price
Oil refiners should not get tax breaks to export petroleum products to Japan and drive up the price in America. By FTCR President Jamie Court

September 28, 2005 - Will Frist Follow DeLay?
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been indicted,and Senate Leader Bill Frist is now under investigation for possible insider trading. FTCR has been speaking out about Frist's ethical lapses for the past two years. By FTCR President Jamie Court

September 21, 2005 - A Crude Offer Exposes American Oil Profiteers
OPEC has offered American oil refiners all the crude oil they want to to help restrain prices at the pump. OPEC's offer exposes the truth about the American oil industry: it intentionally keeps supplies low to keep the pump price high. By FTCR President Jamie Court

September 2, 2005 - Gas Gouging is Real
Oil companies have profited wildly with the jump at the pump. Here's what the president should do. By FTCR President Jamie Court

August 4, 2005 - Fighting Conflicts of Interest in City Hall
This week the Pasadena, California City Council voted to implement the toughest conflict of interest law in the nation - sponsored by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. FTCR President Jamie Court talks about the one catch...

July 13, 2005 - File a Claim, Lose Your Home Insurance?
Under a common insurance industry practice known as �Use it and Lose It,� many insurers punish customers by raising premiums or refusing to sell or renew a policy simply because the policyholder filed a claim in the past. The industry now tracks claims history through a national database much like a credit reporting agency. Insurance reformer Harvey Rosenfield talks about this industry scheme and why rules are needed to protect the public from being penalized simply for using their policy.

July 7, 2005 - The Case Against Cox to Head the SEC
Before entering Congress, Representative Chris Cox helped a client cover up one of the nation's biggest investment rip-offs, costing small investors up to $130 million. The man who protected a Wall Street swindler cannot be trusted to protect investors as the industry's top regulator. The Senate should reject Cox's nomination to head the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Fax Your Senator Today!