The United States was built on the philosophy of ensuring citizens' rights. Specifically, individuals have rights set forth in the Constitution and Bill

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader.

of Rights. Throughout history, American citizens and consumers have expended considerable energy toward ensuring that organizations, retailers, and governments recognize and adhere to these rights. Further, when citizens believe one of those rights has been overlooked or denied, they join in protest to rectify the perceived injustice.

For example, even before the American Revolution, when they were still English subjects, colonists were disgruntled by the British Parliament's imposition of a tax on tea imports. On December 16, 1773, to protest the tea tax (which had been implemented to help the poorly managed and corrupt East India Tea Company avoid bankruptcy), citizens donned Mohawk Indian disguises, boarded three East India Tea Company ships docked in Boston harbor, and threw 342 chests of Ceylon...