by Richard Morrison
December 4, 2009
1. CONSUMER
The U.S.
looks to Australia’s
experience with regulating
credit cards fees.
CEI Expert Available
to Comment: Center for Entrepreneurs and Investors Director John Berlau on why adopting
additional restrictions here would be a mistake:
“The payment card system is a
complex one that involves not only merchants and consumers but also payment
card networks and financial institutions from banks to credit unions. The
marketplace for credit and debit cards is vibrant and competitive, and its
innovations have been a boon for consumers and merchants alike. At a time when
the U.S.
economy is recovering from one of the worst recessions in decades, for
government to intervene in this well-functioning market would have serious
unintended negative consequences for consumer welfare.”
2. BUSINESS
Former CNN anchor Lou Dobbs softens his longtime
anti-immigration stance.
CEI Expert Available
to Comment: Policy Analyst Alex
Nowrasteh on how legal, skilled immigrants could power America’s scientific
prowess:
“Highly
skilled immigration benefits the American economy. Counting just the value of
patents, scientific discoveries, and firms started by immigrants, it is clear
that their arrival has paid off handsomely for the United States. And rather than take
jobs away from Americans, more people with wider skills and greater experience
increase employment opportunities. The non-partisan National Foundation for
American Policy reports that for every H-1B visa issued, U.S. technology
firms increase their employment by five workers. Every day that almost 300,000
Indian immigrants spend in legal limbo represents a gargantuan waste of
creativity.”
3. ENVIRONMENT
Environmental groups petition the Environmental Protection
Agency to begin regulating
carbon dioxide emissions without action by Congress.
CEI Expert Available
to Comment: Senior Fellow Marlo Lewis on the economic impact this could have:
“Stabilizing carbon dioxide levels
at 350 parts per million as demanded by the petition, when atmospheric levels
are already above 385 ppm and rising, would require the equivalent of a global
economic depression sustained over several decades. Tens of millions of jobs
have thus been put at stake by EPA’s decision to use the Clean Air Act to
regulate carbon dioxide emissions.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
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