We should be able to distinguish between a scam, a very sketchy but legal business, and a “legitimate” business. Those who can’t make the distinction, well, that’s our meritorious system weeding out the weak — indiscriminate of race, class or creed! I know — I’m proud of it.

Now, one of the duties of the good consumer is not only to learn what is and isn’t a scam, but also to share this knowledge with other consumers. To that end, I’ve compiled a handy-dandy guide in this very column.

Many students here at MSU have come across excellent opportunities in poetry contests from the International Library of Poetry or the International Society of Poets, www.poetry.com. When you submit a poem to their contest, you will become a semifinalist eligible to purchase a book with all the semifinalists’ poems. Not only are they truthful in this, they even heighten the accomplishment by implying, but never explicitly saying, that some applicants won’t reach the semifinals.

Consumers, don’t be fooled — this is not a scam. Most Better Business Bureaus around the country have no problem with the International Library of Poetry and its many affiliates; many rate it quite highly. Just do a nationwide search on their Web site, www.bbb.org, where they urge you to “Start With Trust.”

It’s also a common misconception that dieting products — like the kind you see advertised between “Girls Gone Wild” ads on late-night cable — are sometimes illegitimate. My fellow consumers, this is merely paranoia sparked by sleep deprivation. We must be rational consumers and base our decisions on research, which diet pill providers have generously provided us with.

Take, for example, the Go Girl line of energy drinks, by the Nor-Cal Beverage Co. Inc. Their Web site says Go Girl is a great tasting energy drink made especially for today’s active female. They claim “it has all the benefits of an energy drink plus it’s low calorie, low in sugar or sugar free, and has a mild herbal appetite suppressant.”

But some are concerned about Go Girl. Put to rest your fears — what scam would charge a mere $44 per 288-ounce case? And with such reasonable prices, there’s still money leftover for Go Girl to “passionately support breast and ovarian cancer research and awareness.” Their Web site even says, “a portion of the proceeds of each case sold is donated to affiliated foundations.” They don’t say how much on their site, but the educated consumer must also utilize the telephone. I learned that they donate 25 cents per case and that they estimate they’ve donated over $40,000 in total, including sponsorships of fundraisers. How could such a noble enterprise be a scam? Why, they’ll probably start donating to female body image and self-esteem programs next.

There are some who question the notion that we should rely on educated consumers — some who believe that the government should step in and unnecessarily regulate our economy. Some say that the consumer is at an unfair disadvantage — or worse, they whine about the millions of people too poor to be consumers.

For the people who don’t see the folly of their own communist sympathies, I have an example of a scammer: Dick DeVos.

His father’s company, Amway, was involved in a soap-selling pyramid scheme that he routinely praised, and pyramid schemes are illegal. Yet the educated consumers of Michigan protected themselves when he ran for governor — only 42 percent of Michiganians were willing to vote for a scammer! One might argue that the other 56 percent also voted for a scammer. To that I say, hey — that’s politics.

Joel Reinstein is State News columnist. Reach him at reinste5@msu" .