Email to Larry Gonzales - February 11, 2014
From: Tom Mowdy <tomm0425@sbcglobal.net>
To: Sara Armstrong <sara.armstrong@house.state.tx.us>
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 3:53 PM
Subject: MOWDY - Regarding: American Arbitration Association
Ms. Armstrong, (Dist 52 State Representative Larry Gonzales's assistant)
Per our conversation this afternoon, I am forwarding the email we discussed. It is below.
As indicated in my January 27, 2013 letter, I am a senior citizen and a retired Vietnam veteran who has served his country faithfully and honorably. I wrote you a comprehensive letter, with full documentation of my complaints and evidence. I sent that package, by certified mail, to the website published address for Representative Gonzales on January 15, 2014. As of today, February 11, 2014, you still have not picked up the certified package I sent to you.
Based on our conversation today, you obviously do not understand the nature of my complaints. Therefore, I do not believe your effort to represent me with the government is professional or sincere. I base my conclusion on the fact that you have not picked up the complaints and evidence I sent to you. Yet you have attempted to provide me an answer with a phone call. Had you read my complaint and examined any evidence, you would clearly understand this matter cannot be casually answered with a phone call. This issue requires some accountability.
This is a matter of the American Arbitration Association, and their arbitrator, willfully violating State law and their own arbitration rules. If an arbitration clause exists, in any form, a Federal or State court is obligated by law to order contesting parties to costly arbitration. And almost every contract has an arbitration clause. So, when the law and rule of arbitration can be violated with Attorney General knowledge, it clearly and immediately becomes a threat to honest people throughout the state. Both contesting parties [are guaranteed] their "due process," and "course of law." But, if the arbitrator violates the law and refuses to follow the rules, the parties are denied their Constitutional rights. It seems all of this would rise to a higher level of concern.
I simply cannot believe Representative Larry Gonzales's response would indicate this is not a serious matter. Now, perhaps I have misunderstood what you told me in our phone call. So, please help me be certain about the Attorney General's position on this matter and Representative Gonzales's position and response. I cannot believe that the blatant violations, by the American Arbitration Association, do not instantly rise to the level of concern for all Texas Citizens.
Most consumer civil actions are resolved through arbitration. Arbitration is a critical pillar of consumer rights. If the arbitration system is so obviously violated, it invites all the bad things that happens to consumer. Please send me a written response that addresses the positions and response from Representative Gonzales.
As you know, I filed my original compliant with the Attorney on July 22, 2013. They acknowledged receiving the complaints with the email below. And, I have heard nothing from them, whatsoever, since the response below. And, now you indicate as I suspected, that the Attorney General will do nothing. I question the behavior that makes it appear the Attorney General is considering, or investigating, but actually doing nothing. They should have said something to me. Such behavior shows an arrogant disregard for the taxpaying citizen voter. I believe Representative Gonzales should step forward and condemn that kind of behavior from a State agency.
I'm sending some things for you to read. It is all about what my family has been through to protect your freedom, and the freedom of the people working in the Attorney General's office. Just one family, like many others who have served.
A Chicago Tribune story on me in Vietnam: http://www.b227.org/preface.html
Attached letter from one of the men I led is attached. Gives you an idea of what it was like.
A photo newspaper article on my Dad. He was with Patton in World War II.
Finally, would you please pick up the certified mail I sent to Representative Gonzales's published Round Rock mail address. Although I'm convinced your aren't concerned with the details of my complaint, it would make me feel better that you might read it. And then, maybe someday, somebody in our government might stand up and represent the people that put them in office.
Tom Mowdy, Major, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Cell: 512-565-1035
From: amssystem <amssystem@texasattorneygeneral.gov>
To: "tomm0425@sbcglobal.net" <tomm0425@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 3:35 PM
Subject: Regarding: American Arbitration Association
Dear Thomas C Mowdy,
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding a possible violation of consumer protection laws. Consumer complaints help monitor trends, and assist us in determining enforcement priorities as we work to protect Texans from deceptive business practices.
We will review the information that you have provided, and will contact you if we need additional information. Otherwise, you will not receive further communication from this office regarding your complaint. We do not represent individuals in personal civil matters, and thus cannot take direct action on every complaint.
In matters of statewide significance, or when substantive evidence indicates that a person or business is systemically violating Texas law, the Attorney General may take action on behalf of the collective legal interests of the people of this state.
We appreciate your time and interest in preventing consumer law violations and in the affairs of Texas consumers. We rely on citizens like you to help us enforce the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other consumer protection laws.
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General