Just how does a petition scam work? First, gain the people’s trust by telling them the truth about some egregious legislation, or pesticide, or whatever issue there is a valid concern about. Then direct the energy of all those people who really want to make a difference to petition Congress, some bureaucrat, or even better, the manufacturer of the offending product or action, to ban the product or stop the action. This petition ultimately ends up on the desk of someone who dutifully throws it in the round file, never to be heard from again.