Home-based marketing = sick neighborhoods
Dear Governor Huntsman:
I am a life-long resident of Utah. For the sake of our neighborhoods, our friendships, and our children's livelihood. And for the sake of our State's reputation and ideals. I beg you to veto SB 182.
SB 182 creates a legal loophole to exploit the "downline" tactics of pyramid scheme marketing techniques. Any kind of legislative promotion of corporation-sponsored business that is dependent on the home-based individual marketer is a catalyst for sickness in our communities.
For an industry that constantly requires new market areas just to stay in business, please spare our communities from repeating history. It's been years, and Utah now has a new crop of young people who are beginning families and careers in Utah that do not remember the money we wasted, the garage sales dumping products, the sleazy fliers on windshields and doorknobs, and the marketing calls from people who should be more like neighbors and friends.
Sure, Utah has some huge corporations with nice campuses that contribute nicely to the local economy. But, so does Las Vegas. The similarities are undeniable. Please name all the "independent distributors/consultants" you know who are making a comfortable living for their families by "consulting on products" out of the home. I'll bet you know just as many people getting rich from buying lottery tickets and visiting Vegas.
More likely than not, direct-sales products are "health care" products. I put quotes on health care because many are nothing more than SNAKE OIL, or common products HYPED-UP with health claims. I am a nurse, health educator, and I research health claims as part of my employment. If most of these products were sold as they are, but at legitimate retailers, they would cost half as much, or be in violation of FDA and/or FTC regulations regarding health-benefits claims and truth in advertising.
Instead, our Utah friends and neighbors are encouraged to get caught up in a religious-like zeal in promoting magical properties of over-priced products. And, their corporate sponsors are kept carefully immune from liability. Utah already has an embarrassing reputation for a population that is foolish enough to fall for marketing gimmicks and quick to believe in snake oils.
I understand the economic contribution some big corporations provide for our state, and how our State's financial success may be influenced by theirs. You must also realize how the direct-sales marketing strategies of these companies inherently weaken our communities and damage the individual. I have lost dear friends who have been coerced into confusing a friendship with a business contact. I know many who have been alienated from their church congregations when business goes bad with fellow parishioners who are "upliners" or "downliners."
I love my community and home state, and am not willing to pay the price. Please join me and veto SB 182.
Sincerely, a big fan of yours.
dras
I am a life-long resident of Utah. For the sake of our neighborhoods, our friendships, and our children's livelihood. And for the sake of our State's reputation and ideals. I beg you to veto SB 182.
SB 182 creates a legal loophole to exploit the "downline" tactics of pyramid scheme marketing techniques. Any kind of legislative promotion of corporation-sponsored business that is dependent on the home-based individual marketer is a catalyst for sickness in our communities.
For an industry that constantly requires new market areas just to stay in business, please spare our communities from repeating history. It's been years, and Utah now has a new crop of young people who are beginning families and careers in Utah that do not remember the money we wasted, the garage sales dumping products, the sleazy fliers on windshields and doorknobs, and the marketing calls from people who should be more like neighbors and friends.
Sure, Utah has some huge corporations with nice campuses that contribute nicely to the local economy. But, so does Las Vegas. The similarities are undeniable. Please name all the "independent distributors/consultants" you know who are making a comfortable living for their families by "consulting on products" out of the home. I'll bet you know just as many people getting rich from buying lottery tickets and visiting Vegas.
More likely than not, direct-sales products are "health care" products. I put quotes on health care because many are nothing more than SNAKE OIL, or common products HYPED-UP with health claims. I am a nurse, health educator, and I research health claims as part of my employment. If most of these products were sold as they are, but at legitimate retailers, they would cost half as much, or be in violation of FDA and/or FTC regulations regarding health-benefits claims and truth in advertising.
Instead, our Utah friends and neighbors are encouraged to get caught up in a religious-like zeal in promoting magical properties of over-priced products. And, their corporate sponsors are kept carefully immune from liability. Utah already has an embarrassing reputation for a population that is foolish enough to fall for marketing gimmicks and quick to believe in snake oils.
I understand the economic contribution some big corporations provide for our state, and how our State's financial success may be influenced by theirs. You must also realize how the direct-sales marketing strategies of these companies inherently weaken our communities and damage the individual. I have lost dear friends who have been coerced into confusing a friendship with a business contact. I know many who have been alienated from their church congregations when business goes bad with fellow parishioners who are "upliners" or "downliners."
I love my community and home state, and am not willing to pay the price. Please join me and veto SB 182.
Sincerely, a big fan of yours.
dras
posted by nawledge at
9:53 PM
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