Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 28, 2026 ~1 min source read

Gouged: why Americans are being ripped off – and what to do about it

Owens, economic sociologist and head of the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive Washington thinktank. Economic sociologist Lindsay Owens urges tough new rules – and a consumer uprising "Repeat after me: it's not my fault, it's not my fault, it's not my fault." That's the message to frustrated US shoppers in Gouged:

Gouged: why Americans are being ripped off – and what to do about it

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Economic sociologist Lindsay Owens urges tough new rules – and a consumer uprising "Repeat after me: it's not my fault, it's not my fault, it's not my fault." That's the message to frustrated US shoppers in...

Owens, economic sociologist and head of the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive Washington thinktank.

Consumer rage is rising and no wonder – we are all living through the "reinvention of the rip-off", Owens told the Guardian, an experience that is undermining Americans' trust in the economy.

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Economic sociologist Lindsay Owens urges tough new rules – and a consumer uprising "Repeat after me: it's not my fault, it's not my fault, it's not my fault." That's the message to frustrated US shoppers in Gouged: Owens, economic sociologist and head of the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive Washington thinktank. Consumer rage is rising and no wonder – we are all living through the "reinvention of the rip-off", Owens told the Guardian, an experience that is undermining Americans' trust in the economy.

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  • Nothing short of a consumer uprising and a slate of tough new rules is going to fix the problem, she believes.

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