Web Giants Battle over Networks, Obama on Climate and New Financial Regulations

Google and AT&T battle over web rules.

President Obama won’t talk climate change

at UN negotiations in Copenhagen.

The House Financial Services Committee votes to create a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

Listen to LibertyWeek, the CEI podcast, here.

1. TECHNOLOGY

Google and AT&T battle over web rules.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Vice President for Policy Wayne Crews on why regulators should stay neutral in the conflict.

“Agency neutrality, not net neutrality, is the real key to Internet freedom. If the administration actually valued neutrality, it wouldn’t pick favorites by discriminating against the infrastructure industry. The Federal Communications Commission’s proposed rules are the true non-neutrality and discrimination at issue today. The FCC should steadfastly resist politically driven business and pressure group demands for special treatment of particular elements of the communications sector.”

 

2. ENVIRONMENT

President Obama won’t talk climate change

at UN negotiations in Copenhagen.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Energy and Global Warming Policy Myron Ebell on the U.S. corporations that have been trying to influence the debate:

“Apple, Nike and their ilk have failed to consider the effects of continually increasing energy prices. Higher energy bills will mean less money in people’s pockets to spend on things like Nike shoes and Apple iPhones. A cap-and-trade energy-rationing scheme will constrain economic growth for decades. It would be a great step forward if more company CEOs, would follow their own self-interest, realizing that few companies prosper when the economy is in the doldrums.”

 

3. BUSINESS

The House Financial Services Committee votes to create a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Senior Attorney Hans Bader on why the vote will mean more bad mortgage loans:

“That agency, contrary to its deceptive name, will harm savers and consumers by forcing banks to make loans to people with bad credit, leaving banks with less money to pay interest. The agency would be in charge of enforcing the Community Reinvestment Act, a law that prods banks to make loans in low-income communities. Government pressure on banks to make more risky loans in low-income neighborhoods was a key reason for the mortgage meltdown. Yet President Obama’s disturbing proposal would empower the new agency to enforce the Community Reinvestment Act without regard for banks’ financial safety and soundness.”

 

Listen to LibertyWeek, the CEI podcast, here.