Consumerism and One Small Businessman

In 1971, after 52 years of lawful existence in the city of my birth, I was sent to prison. I had been convicted of mail fraud. But I was in fact the victim of a recent crusade politicians are finding lucrative: consumer protectionism. As Dr. Roger Klein, economist for the Argus Research Corporation, puts it, “being in favor of consumer safety and more information is sort of like being in favor of God, motherhood, and apple pie. According to the consumer advocate, the consumer is a poor slob beset by shoddy and unsafe products, worthless warranties, hidden loan charges, flammable fabrics, beefless beef Stroganoff, and chickenless chicken soup.” Los Angeles businessman Tyler Macdonald says, “I think we are part of a lynch mob society. All you have to do is get up and accuse someone of something. Consumerism is a shortcut to political power.” As something of a lynchee myself, I can testify to the truth of Mr. Macdonald’s words.

In my home state Minnesota consumerism has become a powerful political springboard and is recognized as such by those who played a major part in my story, chief among them Attorney General Warren Spannaus, who, wrote the Minneapolis Star, “has no intention of giving up the consumer protection operation which gives the attorney general’s office considerable publicity and visibility.” I have had occasion to deal with Mr. Spannaus myself.

LJ

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Lowell F. Jones

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In 1971, after 52 years of lawful existence in the city of my birth, I was sent to prison. I had been convicted of mail fraud. But I was in fact the victim of a recent crusade politicians are finding lucrative: consumer protectionism. As Dr. Roger Klein, economist for the Argus Research Corporation, puts it, “being in favor of consumer safety and more information is sort of like being in favor of God, motherhood, and apple pie. According to the consumer advocate, the consumer is a poor slob beset by shoddy and unsafe products, worthless warranties, hidden loan charges, flammable fabrics, beefless beef Stroganoff, and chickenless chicken soup.” Los Angeles businessman Tyler Macdonald says, “I think we are part of a lynch mob society. All you have to do is get up and accuse someone of something. Consumerism is a shortcut to political power.” As something of a lynchee myself, I can testify to the truth of Mr. Macdonald’s words.

In my home state Minnesota consumerism has become a powerful political springboard and is recognized as such by those who played a major part in my story, chief among them Attorney General Warren Spannaus, who, wrote the Minneapolis Star, “has no intention of giving up the consumer protection operation which gives the attorney general’s office considerable publicity and visibility.” I have had occasion to deal with Mr. Spannaus myself.