CEI Today: Internet freedom, carbon taxes, and false health care fraud

INTERNET FREEDOM

Thursday event featuring Sen. Rand Paul, Rep. Marsha Blackburn

A vaguely worded Declaration of Internet Freedom was recently issued by a broad coalition, some of which are already using the document to push for increased regulation, such as net neutrality mandates. TechFreedom and the Competitive Enterprise Institute organized a counter-declaration signed by a coalition of free market groups and leading academics that shares much common ground, but emphasizes restraint, respect for the rule of law, and humility as guiding principles for policymakers approaching the Internet and digital markets.

Can these two visions be reconciled or are they fighting for very different goals? What is real Internet Freedom?

Please join TechFreedom, the Heritage Foundation and the Competitive Enterprise Institute to hear Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Marsha Blackburn explain why “Internet Freedom” will be a increasingly important cause in the coming years, and what that term should mean for conservatives, libertarians, and all those skeptical about government.

CARBON TAX – MARLO LEWIS

National Journal: Carbon Tax: Bad Politics, Bad Policy

Carbon taxes have been in the news of late. On July 10, former GOP Congressman Bob Inglis of South Carolina launched the Energy and Enterprise Initiative to promote a ‘revenue-neutral’ carbon tax as a Republican idea. On July 11, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) hosted a hush-hush meeting of carbon tax advocates titled Price Carbon Campaign/Lame Duck Initiative. On July 13, former Reagan administration Secretary of State and Hoover Institution distinguished scholar George Schultz announced his support for carbon taxes.

For those who regard affordable energy as a blessing, the recent uptick in Republican advocacy for carbon taxes is troubling, especially because two of Gov. Romney’s top economic advisors, Greg Mankiw and Douglas Holtz-Eagan, are long-time proponents.

For both political and policy reasons, GOP leaders should oppose carbon tax advocacy as dangerous folly.

FALSE HEALTH CARE FRAUD – GREG CONKO

Medical Progress Today: Overcoming Fraudulent Allegations of Health Care Fraud

Over the weekend, Paul Howard wrote about a National Journal article lamenting that pharmaceutical companies keep promoting their products for off-label uses — that is, “uses the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t blessed.” Paul did a solid job debunking the article’s primary claim: that regulatory officials and the Department of Justice are woefully out-gunned and have too few tools at their disposal to prevent companies from repeatedly engaging in fraudulent behavior.

The fact of the matter is that prosecutors have a sledgehammer at their disposal — an enforcement tool that has made many a hardened corporate executive cry uncle when they should be fighting the charges in court. After all, much of what these companies are doing is either not illegal or is protected by the First Amendment or both.