{"id":1170,"date":"2015-10-01T23:05:15","date_gmt":"2015-10-01T23:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/imjussayin.com\/blog\/?p=1170"},"modified":"2015-10-01T23:14:05","modified_gmt":"2015-10-01T23:14:05","slug":"vw-let-the-buyer-beware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imjussayin.com\/blog\/vw-let-the-buyer-beware\/","title":{"rendered":"VW – Let The Buyer Beware"},"content":{"rendered":"

Companies through marketing, have convinced citizens that they have the same goals and values.\u00a0 In new the relaxed seller-buyer relationships, the golden rule of caveat emptor, (let the buyer beware,) <\/em>seems forgotten. Companies give the impression that they are working in our best interests. For example \u2018McDonald\u2019s is proud to be a part of the communities\u00a0we serve<\/a>.\u2019 \u00a0they say. I don\u2019t believe that companies work in the interests of any group other than their own. This is borne out by the current VW scandal. It is a timely reminder of companies\u2019 self interests and their scant regard for the citizen\u2019s interests unless the two happen to coincide. \u00a0The scandal provides us with the opportunity to seize the momentum and make companies respect the interests of citizens, society and the environment.<\/p>\n

\"herbi<\/a><\/p>\n

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), the emission from diesel exhausts, has been the cause of perhaps 53,000 early deaths<\/a> in America alone.\u00a0 VW have falsified U.S. pollution tests on 500,000 diesel vehicles, by installing software to make them appear clean whilst being tested. Once on the road, these vehicles would pump out as much as 40 times the allowed level of NOx. This problem could be eliminated through research and development (R&D).\u00a0 Last year VW spent \u20ac13.1 bn on R&D, more than any other company.<\/p>\n

Instead, this year they have set aside \u20ac6.5 bn to cover recalls and other costs.\u00a0 It seems that VW were thinking they could get away with it, but have the insurance money, just in case.\u00a0 Their actions have shown contempt for the consumer, society, the environment and the law.<\/p>\n

VW are not alone in their contemptuous attitude.\u00a0 GM<\/a>, America\u2019s largest car maker, knowingly sold vehicles with ignition-switch<\/a> problems. The consequences have been fatal with at least 124 people dead and 275 seriously injured.<\/p>\n

\"ijs00milkandmilk\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The problem pervades all industries. Monsanto\u2019s engineered a growth hormone for cattle.\u00a0 Cows injected with Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) mature faster and yield more milk. Their milk is \u2018chemically and nutritionally very different<\/a> from natural milk.\u2019 These cows are also more prone to health problems like lameness, reproductive trouble, udder infections and \u2018mad cow disease\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Scientists have warned that the milk contains substantially higher amounts of a potent cancer promoter and higher levels of antibiotics, bacteria and pus. Yet, this milk has been blended with natural milks and has been used in a series of products including butter, cheese and Starbucks coffee.\u00a0 The meat from these cows are used in burgers. \u00a0rBGH is banned in Europe but was approved by the FDA<\/a> who have refused to label rBGH produce so consumers can make informed choices.<\/p>\n

The reporting of a story as important as this, is also subject to the corporate agenda and not the public interest.\u00a0 Fox News is one of 22 TV stations owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch.\u00a0 Monsanto\u2019s rBGH product was the subject of Fox News TV show The Investigators. Fox told investigative journalists Jane Akcre and Steve Wilkinson that their rBGH expos\u00e9 had to be edited to a Monsanto friendly format (interview below).\u00a0 This was because Monsanto and associated companies bought advertising. \u00a0As Fox told Jane and Steve \u2018the news is what we say it is\u2019.\u00a0 Keeping Monsanto on side was in Fox\u2019s best interest despite the health risk to citizens.<\/p>\n

\"boardroom\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Companies have continually showed that they are morally indifferent entities. CEO<\/a>\u2019s tell us that they have assumed social responsibility as part of their Business Plan.\u00a0 This is true only insofar as it is a convenient marketing tool. However, social responsibility is ignored when it could undermine a company\u2019s performance. It is all a question of the cost benefit analysis as the above scandals demonstrate. \u00a0Writing a cheque either before or after a court case is therefore not enough.\u00a0 For in reality, companies are only interested in pursuing their own business goals, irrespective of the horrors they might wreak on society.<\/p>\n

Action should be taken while the VW scandal is at its height to force companies to respect the interests of citizens, society and the environment. It will need a two pronged approach. The matter must be addressed by government. There must be effective legislation which includes criminal liability and changes to company practises. Fines must be punitively high and managers convicted for criminal offences and not just allowed to resign.\u00a0 The proposals must be prepared independently of Government by a consumer watchdog. \u00a0We need independent regulators with the powers to act. Something considerably more robust than the European Regulators that have indulged the car industry.<\/p>\n

The second prong should be consumers remembering the golden rule \u2018let the buyer beware\u2019. We should spend our money where businesses demonstrate that they are honest and ethical.\u00a0 Business only cares about the bottom line<\/a> and we must shop in a way that affects that.<\/p>\n

Akcre and Wilkinson – \u00a0The Monsanto Scandal<\/strong><\/p>\n