Trade Secrets Used To Block Disclosure Of Safety Concern

It’s hard to imagine anything standing in the way of the public’s right to know when a corporation endangers the health and safety of a community. Yet, it happens every day under the guise of protecting a corporation’s “trade secret.”

Here’s a case in point.

California officials refuse to disclose the ingredients of a chemical pesticide sprayed over fields, homes, businesses and schools in Northern California. California say it can’t identify the “inactive ingredients” of the pesticide without violating laws “governing corporate trade secrets.”

Spraying of the pesticide was suspended after residents complained that the initial application caused asthma-like symptoms, burning eyes, rashes and stomach pains. This problem raises a basic question: How can any corporation have a right keep a safety hazard a secret? Read -- Paul Pringle, LA Times 10/18/2007 Read Article: LA Times

Conservative press says, Insurance Cost-Shifting by Allstate, Nationwide and State Farm must stop!

Well it’s about time. Liberals have been saying this for decades. Now, conservative media, which usually turn a blind-eye to corporate greed, are starting to take notice.

Recently, New Orleans CityBusiness criticized Allstate, Nationwide and State Farm for selling as much as 95% of all federal flood insurance policies. Allstate, Nationwide and State Farm Considering are "raking in unearned profits at the expense of taxpayers" by shifting wind damage costs to the federal government.

CityBusiness argues, the “Multiple Peril Insurance Act” will lift the burden from property owners who now have to hire lawyers, engineers and adjusters to prove to insurers that wind, not water, caused damage. CityBusiness acknowledges that the proposal isn’t a complete fix to the problem, but it should make it harder for insurers to rip off or scam taxpayers.

Maybe so, but insurance companies own the legislature and will likely tighten their grip on government if the both houses of the legislature become Republican. In time, they’ll beat the system

Editors, New Orleans CityBusiness, 06/18/2007

Diamond Jim Donelon where are you? Insurers are Milking the System.

Diamond Jim Donelon’s asleep at the wheel.

Recently, Mississippi attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs told members of the Louisiana Association for Justice that insurance companies are ripping off the National Flood Insurance Program by altering engineering reports to falsely conclude that rising water, not wind, caused damages from Hurricane Katrina.

That’s right: RIPPING OFF!

Scruggs explained, "They instructed the adjusters to max out the flood (insurance)." Scruggs warned, "Given what we know now about State Farm, it would in inconceivable if it weren't going on in Louisiana, too."

Diamond Jim’s supposed to be looking out for Louisiana policyholders. But, he hasn’t heard the warning.

As Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner, why hasn’t Diamond Jim investigated State Farm and other Louisiana insurers to determine if they’ve altered engineering reports to falsely conclude that rising water, not wind, caused damages from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita?

Well, I apologize for such a naïve question. We know why Diamond Jim hasn't done anything. Don’t we?

Diamond Jim’s playing “Mickey the Dunce.” Insurance companies are substantial contributors to the Republican Party. Republican heavy-hitters have told Diamond Jim that insurance companies are off limits.

Here’s how it’s done in other states. In 2003 it was discovered that 21st Century Insurance Group secretly contributed $950,000 to the California Republican Party and 15 county committees just before the 2002 general election.

People in Louisiana are still hurting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita! So what does Diamond Jim propose? A corporate welfare scheme. He wants to pay insurance companies to do business here! Hey, Diamond Jim, don't pay insurance companies a penny! Do your job and investigate them!