The War on Cockroaches, Consumer Credit Shrinks and the Future of Internet Gambling
New York State officials move to limit sale of anti-insect “bug bombs” to consumers.
Economists chart a record drop in consumer credit.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) introduces legislation that would repeal existing restrictions on Internet gambling.
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1. HEALTH
New York State officials move to limit sale of anti-insect “bug bombs” to consumers.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Risk and Environmental Policy Angela Logomasini on the importance of fighting back against household pests:
“While New York city officials raise all the prospects for misuse of this product, they don’t weigh that against the benefits. In places like New York City, insects, such as cockroaches are the sources of disease and allergens. And for many kids with asthma, those are very serious risks—life and death risks in some cases. These affordable foggers are a solution for many low-income communities where cockroach allergens are a particularly serious problem for many kids.”
2. BUSINESS
Economists chart a record drop in consumer credit.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of the Center for Investors and Entrepreneurs John Berlau on why Obama should reconsider new rules on credit card companies:
“…consumers and the economy will pay an even higher price if further restrictions are enacted such as proposed caps on annual percentage rates. Politicians don’t seem to grasp that expanding credit responsibly is incompatible with limiting risk-based pricing. Again, responsible card holders — some of whom don’t even pay interest because they completely pay off their balances — could lose out in the form of the return of annual fees and the loss of credit card “rewards” such as airline miles to make up for the costs from bans on risk-based pricing.”
3. LEGAL
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) introduces legislation that would repeal existing restrictions on Internet gambling.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Policy Analyst Michelle Minton reacts to Frank’s proposal:
“Barney Frank’s outspoken position that American adults should be able to do in their own homes, with their own money, what they wish is laudable. While Frank’s legislation isn’t perfect, it is definitely a step in the right direction—that is, a step away from the current law. Government has no legitimate role in banning Internet gambling, which is a voluntary private activity.”
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