Los Angeles Times

Consumer Confidential: 56 years later, Kennedy's call for a consumer bill of rights is forgotten under Trump

In March 1962, President Kennedy laid out in a speech to Congress the framework for a consumer bill of rights and the crucial role the federal government must play in protecting those rights.

Kennedy's call to arms is now marked every March 15 as World Consumer Rights Day, which seeks to advance "guidelines for consumer protection" backed by the United Nations.

Yet over half a century later, the current occupant of the Oval Office, President Trump, a wealthy businessman, is aggressively pursuing policies that undermine each of Kennedy's declared rights.

So it's worthwhile asking: Is it too late to change course? Have corporate interests prevailed?

I put those questions this

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