More on Deeds, McDonnell, Price Gouging, and Tort Reform.

First off, if you haven't read the last McDonnell post, read it, or you will be infinately lost as to what i'm talking about.

Let me put the frivolous lawsuit and tort reform arguments against Sen. Deeds to rest once and for all. Here are some facts and statisitics:

The GAO estimates that frivolous lawsuits account for a .5% increase in insurance premiums. Over the last five years, while premiums have more than doubled doubled, insurance claim payouts for have remained the same for medical malpractice. (Center for Justice and Democracy)

As far as tort reform goes:
Both Deeds and McDonnell received identical ratings from the American Tort Reform Association. Despite the identical ratings, the group (partisanship?) is funnelling money to McDonnell.

Now to the REAL matter at hand:
Price gouging is a problem faced by many Americans. In the past, other Attorney Generals around the country (including our own Jerry Kilgore) have used their offices to investigate and crack down on these companies that engage in it. It is very much the Attorney General's job, but Bob McDonnell doesn't think so. He thinks that involving the AG's office is overreaching and bad for business. Which shows that, obviously, he's looking out 100% for the company and 0% for the consumer who is being subject to unfare, overinflated prices.

Using the AG's office to look in to claims of price gouging isn't about frivolous lawsuits and tort reform, its making sure businesses don't break the law. If one business is allowed to gouge prices because the AG can't bring himself to "overreach" into the business's questionable practices, other law abiding businesses have less of an incentive to follow the law anymore. They see someone getting away with price gouging, and think, "Well, it wouldn't be so hard for us to do that too."

The next AG must follow the example of AGs around the country (and former AG Kilgore) and investigate this illegal business practice. Deeds will, McDonnell won't, it's THAT simple.