(ARA) - With more arrests in suspected domestic terrorism plots and almost daily news reports of international terrorism incidents, Americans need to remain vigilant and prepared for the unknown.
But according to a recent survey conducted by Kelton Research, almost two in three Americans (66 percent) admit they would not know what to do in the event of a terrorist attack in their hometown.
Homeland security professionals charged with protecting the homefront are even less convinced of the average citizen's preparedness. More than nine in 10 professionals (94 percent) surveyed feel that Americans wouldn't know what to do in the event of an attack, even though a majority (75 percent) believes the U.S. will experience one similar to Sept. 11, 2001, in the next five years.
The surveys were commissioned by the National Homeland Defense Foundation and Colorado Technical University, which offers master's and doctoral degrees with a concentration in homeland security.
"The fact that homeland security professionals expect another terrorist attack similar to 9/11 within the next five years while at the same time believing most Americans are unprepared is a dangerous combination," says Capt. W. Andy Cain, USN (Ret.), a Homeland Security Advisory Board member at Colorado Technical University.
"The good news is there are things we can all do to be prepared and take responsibility for the safety and security of ourselves and our families. Seconds count in an emergency, so preparation can make all the difference in the world," he says.
While law enforcement and government officials are on the front lines of responding to terrorist threats, here are five steps that all Americans can take to feel more secure and prepared.
* Create a family emergency plan
Know who to call and what to do in case of an emergency such as a terrorist attack. Make a plan that includes each family member's contact information, as well as an out-of-town contact who may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members and may live far enough away not to be directly impacted by the same event. Online tools, like a family emergency kit featuring easy-to-use forms, are available for download at Ready.gov.
* Determine a meeting place
Family members may be in different locations when a terrorist attack strikes. Establish an agreed-upon location for everyone to meet to help save time and reduce stress.
* Get an emergency supply kit
To prepare for a possible emergency situation, including a terrorist attack, it's important to focus on survival basics - fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Put together an emergency supply kit that includes items like bottled water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, dust masks and blankets. Other essentials could include a flashlight with extra batteries, cell phone with chargers and a battery-powered radio to stay abreast of the news. FEMA.gov, among other Web sites, offers a disaster kit checklist.
* Have a communication back-up plan
Some terrorist attacks may cause communication network interruptions, preventing a person from getting through to family, friends or emergency personnel. If phone lines are down, have e-mail addresses available. In addition, text messaging may still work despite phone service disruptions. The American Red Cross also has a "Safe and Well" Web site available through RedCross.org, where families can register to let others know about their welfare.
* Sign up for alert services
Many communities have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails about emergencies and related action steps. Sign up by visiting the local office of emergency management Web site.
Ready.gov features more information to empower and educate Americans on what they can do today to be prepared should a terrorist attack or disaster strike.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
GM's Bankruptcy Provides Some Protection for Injured But Falls Short
/24-7/ -- On July 10, the new, largely government-owned GM emerged from bankruptcy, shedding billions of dollars in debt as well as 20,000 US jobs, 2400 dealerships, 14 plants and three brand names.
While much of the attention is on the sleeker company that promises to wisely use American tax-payer dollars and invest in cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles, the stories of thousands of Americans injured by GM manufactured products remain untold. These people have been left behind in bankruptcy court, waiting to hear if they will receive anything from the old company's liquidated assets.
A Limit on the Company's Liability
Much like Chrysler before it, the approved GM bankruptcy plan includes a release from liability for any claims arising from GM-manufactured vehicles before the company emerged from bankruptcy. This means that the new GM cannot be held responsible in a court of law for any injuries caused by its products anytime before July 10.
However, unlike Chrysler, the new GM has accepted liability for any injuries caused by GM vehicles from July 10 onwards, whether the vehicle was manufactured by the old GM or the new GM. Conversely, in the Chrysler bankruptcy, the new Chrysler only accepted liability for defects in vehicles manufactured by the new Chrysler. Anyone with claims associated with vehicles produced by the old Chrysler will not be able to bring them against the new company, regardless of when the injury occurs.
Originally, GM pursued the same limit on liability as was granted to Chrysler. But after the public outrage against the automaker for escaping liability in addition to pressure from consumer advocacy groups, several state Attorneys General and private and public attorneys, GM eventually agreed to accept a greater range of liability than the other car company. However, the GM plan still falls far short of what American consumers not only deserve, but are owed.
Old Claims vs. New Claims
The difference between the attachment of liability for old and new claims has left many scratching their heads, wondering why the bankruptcy court is allowing car manufacturers to pick and choose which legal claims it will accept.
To understand the bizarre nature of this result, one need only consider a hypothetical car accident, wherein someone was harmed as the result of a defective roof design. If this accident occurred last year and the lawsuit was filed before the GM bankruptcy was finalized, the person has no viable recourse against GM. The legal liability would fall upon old GM, which has a long list of creditors and very limited assets.
If instead the exact same accident with an identical vehicle happened tomorrow, the injured person could pursue a legal claim against the new GM. From a pragmatic standpoint for an injured person, this outcome makes absolutely no sense. A person's ability to recover for injuries caused by a defective product should not depend on the point in time when the person is injured.
An Unjust Result for the Injured
This result seems even more absurd when the bankruptcy court had other options to ensure a fairer outcome for Americans injured by the car manufacturer's products. For example, the bankruptcy court could have set aside money from new GM's assets specifically for legitimate product liability claims by consumers. A similar type of victim's compensation fund was created by courts that handled bankruptcy matters for asbestos manufacturers. Although the fund may not have provided full compensation, it would have been better than the nothing victims now are receiving.
To prevent car manufacturers from skirting their financial and moral obligation to pay for injuries caused by their products, Congressman Andre Carson introduced the Jeremy Warriner Consumer Protection Act of 2009 in the House of Representatives at the end of June. If passed, the Act would require certain vehicle manufacturers to carry liability insurance to cover consumer claims. Accordingly, victims with legal claims that otherwise would have been invalidated by the companies' bankruptcies may be able to seek compensation.
Conclusion
Even though GM's bankruptcy provided more coverage for potential future victims of GM-produced vehicles than the Chrysler bankruptcy, the plan still falls far short of what the public deserves. A person's ability to recover for their injuries should not depend on whether they were injured one year ago or one year from today. The bankruptcy court has allowed GM to deny legal rights to consumers who trusted in the company.
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While much of the attention is on the sleeker company that promises to wisely use American tax-payer dollars and invest in cleaner, more environmentally-friendly vehicles, the stories of thousands of Americans injured by GM manufactured products remain untold. These people have been left behind in bankruptcy court, waiting to hear if they will receive anything from the old company's liquidated assets.
A Limit on the Company's Liability
Much like Chrysler before it, the approved GM bankruptcy plan includes a release from liability for any claims arising from GM-manufactured vehicles before the company emerged from bankruptcy. This means that the new GM cannot be held responsible in a court of law for any injuries caused by its products anytime before July 10.
However, unlike Chrysler, the new GM has accepted liability for any injuries caused by GM vehicles from July 10 onwards, whether the vehicle was manufactured by the old GM or the new GM. Conversely, in the Chrysler bankruptcy, the new Chrysler only accepted liability for defects in vehicles manufactured by the new Chrysler. Anyone with claims associated with vehicles produced by the old Chrysler will not be able to bring them against the new company, regardless of when the injury occurs.
Originally, GM pursued the same limit on liability as was granted to Chrysler. But after the public outrage against the automaker for escaping liability in addition to pressure from consumer advocacy groups, several state Attorneys General and private and public attorneys, GM eventually agreed to accept a greater range of liability than the other car company. However, the GM plan still falls far short of what American consumers not only deserve, but are owed.
Old Claims vs. New Claims
The difference between the attachment of liability for old and new claims has left many scratching their heads, wondering why the bankruptcy court is allowing car manufacturers to pick and choose which legal claims it will accept.
To understand the bizarre nature of this result, one need only consider a hypothetical car accident, wherein someone was harmed as the result of a defective roof design. If this accident occurred last year and the lawsuit was filed before the GM bankruptcy was finalized, the person has no viable recourse against GM. The legal liability would fall upon old GM, which has a long list of creditors and very limited assets.
If instead the exact same accident with an identical vehicle happened tomorrow, the injured person could pursue a legal claim against the new GM. From a pragmatic standpoint for an injured person, this outcome makes absolutely no sense. A person's ability to recover for injuries caused by a defective product should not depend on the point in time when the person is injured.
An Unjust Result for the Injured
This result seems even more absurd when the bankruptcy court had other options to ensure a fairer outcome for Americans injured by the car manufacturer's products. For example, the bankruptcy court could have set aside money from new GM's assets specifically for legitimate product liability claims by consumers. A similar type of victim's compensation fund was created by courts that handled bankruptcy matters for asbestos manufacturers. Although the fund may not have provided full compensation, it would have been better than the nothing victims now are receiving.
To prevent car manufacturers from skirting their financial and moral obligation to pay for injuries caused by their products, Congressman Andre Carson introduced the Jeremy Warriner Consumer Protection Act of 2009 in the House of Representatives at the end of June. If passed, the Act would require certain vehicle manufacturers to carry liability insurance to cover consumer claims. Accordingly, victims with legal claims that otherwise would have been invalidated by the companies' bankruptcies may be able to seek compensation.
Conclusion
Even though GM's bankruptcy provided more coverage for potential future victims of GM-produced vehicles than the Chrysler bankruptcy, the plan still falls far short of what the public deserves. A person's ability to recover for their injuries should not depend on whether they were injured one year ago or one year from today. The bankruptcy court has allowed GM to deny legal rights to consumers who trusted in the company.
-----
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Cash for Clunkers Finishes, Dealer Stimulus Program Begins
/PRNewswire/ -- Cash for Clunkers is coming to an end. National Automobile Dealers Association officials asked the government to suspend the cash-for-clunkers program because a survey by the group found that the $3 billion fund has been exhausted, NADA Chairman John McEleney said.
While the Cash for Clunkers program is coming to an end manufacturers and dealers are concerned that their business will return to pre-clunker levels. To address this concern, some of the leading U.S. Automotive Retailers are participating in a privately funded stimulus program to help consumers who were left behind by the government's plan. Due to the restrictions of the government's program, over 90% of consumers were not eligible. As a result, some of the largest retailers in the country are promoting a new dealer funded stimulus program that gives consumers up to $4500 of additional trade-in value towards the purchase of a new or used vehicle. See Program details at www.AutoStimulusPlan.com. The new stimulus plan is more inclusive because all trade-ins older than 2007 are eligible regardless of their current MPG and consumers can purchase or lease any new or used vehicle with an improved fuel economy of 2MPG. This is a contrast to the government program which excluded trade-ins with more than 18MPG, used cars and short term leasing and some vehicles needed to get at least 4MPG improvement to qualify.
"The business that came from the Cash for Clunkers program started off very strong and it has since leveled off," said Vince Sheehy from Sheehy Automotive Group in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore. "But we did not expect it to end so fast." While clunker business began to slow down, dealers participating in the New Stimulus Plan have seen their sales continue to rise because they are helping the larger group of consumers that were left behind by the government program. In fact, according to Brian Benstock, General Manager and Vice President at Paragon, has helped them rise from 17th in new vehicle sales to #4 in the nation. In addition, the used vehicle component of the new stimulus plan has helped them become the #1 certified pre-owned Honda and Acura dealer in the world this month. "This is our best used vehicle month ever," said Benstock.
Paragons results since the New Stimulus Plan took effect have led to a historic month:
-- They are on pace for 600 new vehicles to be sold and 300 used
vehicles. This represents a 100% increase in new car business and a
50% increase in pre-owned business.
-- 900 vehicle sales created estimated sales tax revenues of $2,000,000
for the month.
-- 900 unit sales created $24,000,000.00 in gross sales.
John Malishenko, Director of Operations for Germain Automotive, another participating dealer in the Stimulus Plan, is reporting that his dealership just had their second best three day weekend of the year. "We've seen a 40% increase in unit sales versus July and we are currently pacing $45,000,000 of sales for the month. While other dealer's business has been falling off we are picking up." The program has worked well because it has focused on the majority of the people that were not eligible for the government plan.
In the wake of the government's program dealers are running low on cash and their inventories are lopsided with most of the new vehicles that qualify selling out while they still have a surplus of other vehicles that don't qualify. "The new dealer stimulus plan will help us sell the cars that are left over and help us build up our used vehicle business," said Brian Benstock from Paragon Auto Group, one of the participating dealers in New York City.
Used vehicle inventories have shrunk because the clunkers have to be destroyed. "We have to buy more used cars at auctions for higher prices," said John Malishenko, Director of Operations for the Germain Automotive Group who owns dealerships in Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas. "I would prefer to give customers 20 percent more for their trade-in to earn their business rather than paying more to Manheim Auction. If I overpay under the new stimulus plan I still sold a car and I have a customer who will service with me over the long term."
The dealer-funded Auto Stimulus Plan includes used vehicles and allows dealers to resell the trade ins. "Letting consumers buy a used vehicle or lease a new vehicle makes it affordable for a lot of people who could not participate otherwise," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Auto Group in California and Arizona, one of GM's largest dealers and a participating dealer.
"We needed to do something to help out all the customers who were upset that they could not participate," said Rick Case, owner of Rick Case Automotive Group in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. "Consumers love it because the new stimulus saves them a lot of money on their purchase and reduces their gas and repair bills."
The Auto Stimulus Plan is a private sector program promoted by retailers to provide incentives to consumers that will help the economy and the environment at the same time. To qualify for an incentive a consumer must select a new or pre-owned vehicle with a 2MPG improvement over their current vehicle, which is the same requirement the government program has for SUV's, but it applies to all vehicles under the dealer's plan.
"The MPG requirements are lower because our primary goal is to help consumers that don't qualify for the government's program and to stimulate the economy through improved sales, jobs and spending," said Gruwell. "As a result, the environmental benefits may not be as big as the government program but it will help more customers get into more fuel efficient vehicles."
"If a consumer does not have a trade, they can benefit from the extraordinary manufacturer incentives that are out today," added Case. "In addition to the stimulus, our dealership is offering up to $4500 of savings to consumers."
Consumers can learn more about the program and begin connecting with participating retailers by visiting: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com.
The Auto Stimulus Plan gives consumers up to $4500 of additional trade-in value towards the purchase or lease of a new or used vehicle with improved fuel economy. The program has fewer rules, easier paperwork and no minimum MPG requirements for trade-ins.
Below is a summary of the program Requirements:
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Current Vehicle Requirements
-- Vehicle must be older than 2007
-- Vehicle must be in working condition
-- Vehicle has been owned and registered for at least 6 months
-- No minimum MPG requirements
-- Vehicles that are not eligible are: salvaged vehicles and vehicles
with floor or frame damage
Replacement Vehicle Requirements
-- Replacement vehicle must have a minimum of 2MPG improvement
-- New and Used Vehicles Qualify
-- All makes and models
-- No minimum MPG requirements
-- No price restrictions
-- This plan is not valid in combination with the government's C.A.R.S.
program
The plan varies based on the year, make and model of the eligible vehicle. The plan may also vary in some states due to state laws that regulate automotive advertising and promotion. The Auto Stimulus Plan was planned to end when the government's program expired but they have extended it to November 1st. Visit www.AutoStimulusPlan.com for details.
The organization informs consumers that they should be patient if they cannot get through to the website, www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, on their first try. During the program's launch there was an overwhelming level of traffic resulting in periods of interruption. Consumers are advised to visit at a later time if the site is not functioning properly.
-----
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While the Cash for Clunkers program is coming to an end manufacturers and dealers are concerned that their business will return to pre-clunker levels. To address this concern, some of the leading U.S. Automotive Retailers are participating in a privately funded stimulus program to help consumers who were left behind by the government's plan. Due to the restrictions of the government's program, over 90% of consumers were not eligible. As a result, some of the largest retailers in the country are promoting a new dealer funded stimulus program that gives consumers up to $4500 of additional trade-in value towards the purchase of a new or used vehicle. See Program details at www.AutoStimulusPlan.com. The new stimulus plan is more inclusive because all trade-ins older than 2007 are eligible regardless of their current MPG and consumers can purchase or lease any new or used vehicle with an improved fuel economy of 2MPG. This is a contrast to the government program which excluded trade-ins with more than 18MPG, used cars and short term leasing and some vehicles needed to get at least 4MPG improvement to qualify.
"The business that came from the Cash for Clunkers program started off very strong and it has since leveled off," said Vince Sheehy from Sheehy Automotive Group in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore. "But we did not expect it to end so fast." While clunker business began to slow down, dealers participating in the New Stimulus Plan have seen their sales continue to rise because they are helping the larger group of consumers that were left behind by the government program. In fact, according to Brian Benstock, General Manager and Vice President at Paragon, has helped them rise from 17th in new vehicle sales to #4 in the nation. In addition, the used vehicle component of the new stimulus plan has helped them become the #1 certified pre-owned Honda and Acura dealer in the world this month. "This is our best used vehicle month ever," said Benstock.
Paragons results since the New Stimulus Plan took effect have led to a historic month:
-- They are on pace for 600 new vehicles to be sold and 300 used
vehicles. This represents a 100% increase in new car business and a
50% increase in pre-owned business.
-- 900 vehicle sales created estimated sales tax revenues of $2,000,000
for the month.
-- 900 unit sales created $24,000,000.00 in gross sales.
John Malishenko, Director of Operations for Germain Automotive, another participating dealer in the Stimulus Plan, is reporting that his dealership just had their second best three day weekend of the year. "We've seen a 40% increase in unit sales versus July and we are currently pacing $45,000,000 of sales for the month. While other dealer's business has been falling off we are picking up." The program has worked well because it has focused on the majority of the people that were not eligible for the government plan.
In the wake of the government's program dealers are running low on cash and their inventories are lopsided with most of the new vehicles that qualify selling out while they still have a surplus of other vehicles that don't qualify. "The new dealer stimulus plan will help us sell the cars that are left over and help us build up our used vehicle business," said Brian Benstock from Paragon Auto Group, one of the participating dealers in New York City.
Used vehicle inventories have shrunk because the clunkers have to be destroyed. "We have to buy more used cars at auctions for higher prices," said John Malishenko, Director of Operations for the Germain Automotive Group who owns dealerships in Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas. "I would prefer to give customers 20 percent more for their trade-in to earn their business rather than paying more to Manheim Auction. If I overpay under the new stimulus plan I still sold a car and I have a customer who will service with me over the long term."
The dealer-funded Auto Stimulus Plan includes used vehicles and allows dealers to resell the trade ins. "Letting consumers buy a used vehicle or lease a new vehicle makes it affordable for a lot of people who could not participate otherwise," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Auto Group in California and Arizona, one of GM's largest dealers and a participating dealer.
"We needed to do something to help out all the customers who were upset that they could not participate," said Rick Case, owner of Rick Case Automotive Group in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. "Consumers love it because the new stimulus saves them a lot of money on their purchase and reduces their gas and repair bills."
The Auto Stimulus Plan is a private sector program promoted by retailers to provide incentives to consumers that will help the economy and the environment at the same time. To qualify for an incentive a consumer must select a new or pre-owned vehicle with a 2MPG improvement over their current vehicle, which is the same requirement the government program has for SUV's, but it applies to all vehicles under the dealer's plan.
"The MPG requirements are lower because our primary goal is to help consumers that don't qualify for the government's program and to stimulate the economy through improved sales, jobs and spending," said Gruwell. "As a result, the environmental benefits may not be as big as the government program but it will help more customers get into more fuel efficient vehicles."
"If a consumer does not have a trade, they can benefit from the extraordinary manufacturer incentives that are out today," added Case. "In addition to the stimulus, our dealership is offering up to $4500 of savings to consumers."
Consumers can learn more about the program and begin connecting with participating retailers by visiting: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com.
The Auto Stimulus Plan gives consumers up to $4500 of additional trade-in value towards the purchase or lease of a new or used vehicle with improved fuel economy. The program has fewer rules, easier paperwork and no minimum MPG requirements for trade-ins.
Below is a summary of the program Requirements:
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Current Vehicle Requirements
-- Vehicle must be older than 2007
-- Vehicle must be in working condition
-- Vehicle has been owned and registered for at least 6 months
-- No minimum MPG requirements
-- Vehicles that are not eligible are: salvaged vehicles and vehicles
with floor or frame damage
Replacement Vehicle Requirements
-- Replacement vehicle must have a minimum of 2MPG improvement
-- New and Used Vehicles Qualify
-- All makes and models
-- No minimum MPG requirements
-- No price restrictions
-- This plan is not valid in combination with the government's C.A.R.S.
program
The plan varies based on the year, make and model of the eligible vehicle. The plan may also vary in some states due to state laws that regulate automotive advertising and promotion. The Auto Stimulus Plan was planned to end when the government's program expired but they have extended it to November 1st. Visit www.AutoStimulusPlan.com for details.
The organization informs consumers that they should be patient if they cannot get through to the website, www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, on their first try. During the program's launch there was an overwhelming level of traffic resulting in periods of interruption. Consumers are advised to visit at a later time if the site is not functioning properly.
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