OK so the California State legislature didnt actually use the word “stupid”, however that is exactly what they are implying with their recent bill. If signed by Governor Schwarzenegger the bill would force retailers to claim rebates on behalf of the customer. Apparantly the lawmakers in California felt it was unfair for consumers to have to cut out the proof of purchase from a box and fill out a form, plus I am sure the 42 cent stamps were a hardship on the poor and minority community. So they have come up with a simple fix, force the retailers to claim the rebate on behalf of the customer, then ensure delivery to the customer.

This simple minded idea revolves around the fact that only approximately 40% of all rebates are actually claimed. Neal Boortz said replied to this better than I ever could:

What happens if this rebate thing becomes law in California? First .. pleas realize that when a company figures the amount of a rebate they are going to offer, they take into account the fact that only about 40% of those rebates are going to be claimed. If 100% of those rebates were paid then the rebate would be much smaller. The fact is, the rebates would probably be ended altogether.

Haven’t these idiot legislators in California learned their lesson yet? Years ago these fools get their boxers in a bunch over ATM charges. They didn’t like the fact that if banked at Bank A, but went to Bank B to use their ATM, Bank B would charge you. So, they passed a law outlawing those charges. Within days of that law going into effect Bank B simply said that they would no longer honor ATM cards from Bank A. Problem solved. The law was repealed in a heartbeat.

It makes me sick to my stomach when I watch the lawmakers attempt to regulate every facet of our daily life, even down to the $1 rebate which most consumers disregard. What makes me even sicker is the fact that liberals continue putting these type of lawmakers into office because apparantly they enjoy having their lives regulated.

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Dumb Dems, Politics