Obama on Global Warming, Blocking Net Neutrality and Car-Free Day
President Obama delivers a speech before the United Nations, saying that the U.S. is “determined to act” on global warming.
Republican senators announce legislation that would block the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed net neutrality rules.
Cities struggle to prepare facilities for the observance of “Car-Free Day.”
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1. ENVIRONMENT
President Obama delivers a speech before the United Nations, saying that the U.S. is “determined to act” on global warming.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Energy and Global Warming Policy Myron Ebell on the political climate:
“I think a lot of senators are wary about moving forward with anything. Energy rationing is not popular at a time when we have 10 percent unemployment and the prices of things are going up without government action, let alone adding more government policies on that will start ratcheting energy prices up and taking more jobs away.”
2. TECHNOLOGY
Republican senators announce legislation that would block the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed net neutrality rules.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Vice President for Policy Wayne Crews on why we should try for FCC neutrality instead:
“FCC bureaucrats should abstain from choosing business models. Agencies should not pick sides between content and infrastructure providers in disputes over pricing, access, service and other terms. When government dictates business models, it fuels artificial conflicts between content and infrastructure firms by driving a wedge between what are otherwise complementary, harmonious, and often synergistic visions.”
3. BUSINESS
Cities struggle to prepare facilities for the observance of “Car-Free Day.”
CEI Expert Available to Comment: General Counsel Sam Kazman on why a car-free lifestyle isn’t for everyone:
“While many people love the idea of a car-free lifestyle, for most people it would be difficult, inconvenient and isolating. The handicapped, the elderly, parents with kids and groceries, suburban residents getting to work, rural residents running their lives – all depend on cars. The car-free lifestyle itself requires other motorized vehicles, which deliver everything from organic flour to fair trade coffee.”
Listen to LibertyWeek, the CEI podcast, here.