The government’s Facebook trustbusting is a zealous takedown that harms consumers and punishes innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C — On Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission issued its long-awaited lawsuit, in conjunction with attorneys general from 46 states, that aims to force Facebook to break up its popular services WhatsApp and Instagram for alleged “anticompetitive” behavior. Yaël Ossowski, deputy director of the Consumer Choice Center, a millennial consumer advocacy group based in […]
In Kamala Harris, do consumers have an ally or a foe?
This week, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden revealed Sen. Kamala Harris of California as his running mate for the November general election against President Donald Trump. Because Harris’ influence on the Biden campaign will loom large, and be important to whomever American voters choose in the fall, it’s worth looking at some of her ideas […]
Consumer Choice Center Joins Coalition Opposed To Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing Proposal
Dear President Trump: On behalf of the undersigned federal and state-based organizations, we write to express our grave concerns with the “most favored nation” (MFN) executive order to impose foreign price controls on American medicines. This proposal will impose an “International Pricing Index” on drugs in Medicare Part B, tying the U.S. prices for these […]
How Can We Improve Healthcare Today?
As 2019 wraps up, there is plenty of ample opportunity to discuss what should be the priorities for Congressional lawmakers in 2020. What is top of mind for many Americans, of course, is healthcare. It’s as much about the cost as it is about services and the ability to choose what works best for you […]
Politicians are scapegoating e-cigs for harm they haven’t done
When there’s an outbreak of deaths or illnesses from injected street drugs, do public health authorities demand diabetics and doctors stop using syringes? Of course not. Yet a host of public officials — from President Trump to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to members of the Squad — are taking just that sort of approach in responding […]
Trump To Put 10% Tariffs On $300 Billion More In Chinese Imports
“Trump’s announcement about additional tariffs on Chinese goods will hit American consumers the hardest,” said David Clement, North American Affairs Manager of the Consumer Choice Center, which represents consumers in more than 100 countries. “Given how interconnected the two economies are, it is ultimately American consumers who are going to be footing the bill for […]
The Dow Dropped 98 Points Because Tariffs Might Finally Hit Home
Unlike the previous tranche of levies imposed since last year, the latest round will mostly target popular consumer products, including cellphones, laptops, apparel, and toys. “Trump’s announcement about additional tariffs on Chinese goods will hit American consumers the hardest,” David Clement, North American affairs manager of the Consumer Choice Center, said on Thursday after the announcement. “Given how […]
Florida Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Lottery Warning Labels
Cites Consumer Awareness Placing warnings on lottery tickets is a bad gamble, says Jeff Stier, a senior fellow at the Consumer Choice Center and a policy advisor to The Heartland Institute, which publishes Budget & Tax News. Like all forms of gambling, purchases of lottery tickets tend to be recreational, and people realize that, says Stier. […]
On alcohol reform, state lawmakers have finally started to listen
Yaël Ossowski is deputy director at the Consumer Choice Center, which advocates for consumer choice and freedom. He’s speaking in general, but, clearly, North Carolina may well be the unavoidable target for his comments. “In many southern states and beyond, alcohol-control laws are some of the most byzantine and backward on the books. Indeed, many have […]
Attempts To Block Facebook’s Libra Cryptocurrency May Backfire
Consumer group: Congressional attempt to block Facebook‘s Libra cryptocurrency harms consumer choice and will backfire Washington, D.C. – Days after Facebook announced its new Libra cryptocurrency project, federal lawmakers issued stark warnings to the social media platform, and have now requested the project be put on ice. The lawmakers issuing the warnings were Rep. Maxime Waters, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, as well as […]
A Recipe for A Better World; Nine Parts Innovation, One Part Regulation
“To protect the environment, our health, and promote the social good we have to live more austere lives.” How often have we heard something along these lines? The problem is, it’s not a very effective approach. Tackling the world’s most intractable problems, preserving freedoms and making life better for everyone requires something often overlooked by […]
Juul’s Latest Play to Survive Washington, D.C.: Win Over Black Lawmakers
“It’s about time someone’s reaching out to the communities that need the most help,” said Jeff Stier, a senior fellow at the Consumer Choice Center and a leading vaping advocate, in an interview with The Daily Beast. But Stier acknowledged that, beyond potential public health benefits, there’s also a political upside to the strategy. “If […]
