CEI’s Year in Review: Defending Freedom and Promoting Free Markets

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Throughout 2015, CEI’s experts worked to promote limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty, always making the uncompromising case for economic freedom. This past year was a busy one as we sought to protect these principles—and the entrepreneurs and innovators who depend on them—from big government bureaucrats, special interest groups, and the onerous regulations they seek to implement.

Below are some of CEI’s top articles from this past year, highlighting our experts’ research and analysis on regulatory reform issues from technology to finance to energy.

Top CEI Opeds of 2015

  1. USA Today – Obamacare Rule Harms Millions: Opposing View. Sam Kazman supports CEI’s Supreme Court challenge against an IRS Obamacare rule in King v. Burwell, arguing the IRS rule has devastating consequences for countless Americans and their families.
  2. CNN.com – Don't Ban E-cigarettes on Airplanes. Marc Scribner argues the Department of Transportation’s ban of electronic cigarette use aboard aircraft not only defies medical evidence but makes a mockery of the law in the process.
  3. Fox News – Stop the Insanity: How GOP Congress Can Lead Way to Smart Energy Policy. Marlo Lewis discusses what energy policies the new GOP majority should pursue, including honoring the cardinal rule of responsible politics, “First, do no harm.” Lewis argues Congress should use its Congressional Review Act authority to overturn harmful regulations and safeguard sources of affordable energy, like carbon-based fuels.
  4. MSNBC.com – Why the FCC’s Vote to Regulate the Internet is a Mistake. Ryan Radia advocates against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) move to regulate Internet providers as public utilities. Radia argues the FCC’s sweeping rules would have unintended consequences for the Internet’s future, potentially hurting the very users net neutrality is supposed to protect.
  5. The Blaze – Operation Choke Point: Consumer Protection Bureau Can Act as Judge, Jury and Executioner to Targeted Businesses. Iain Murray shines light on an undeclared war being waged by the Obama Administration on businesses it doesn’t like. Murray argues the administration is stretching its authority beyond proper bounds with a Department of Justice initiative aimed at pressuring banks to “choke off” the financial support from businesses the DOJ claims face a “reputational risk” for fraud.

 

Top CEI Blog Posts of 2015

  1. What Happens an Hour After Drinking Locally Sourced, Sustainable, Organic Kale Juice? Greg Conko and Michelle Minton poke fun at the Internet’s bogus, nutritional advice using a graphic about today’s trendiest vegetable: kale. Given the prevalence of conspiracy-peddling bloggers and ignorant food evangelists, they argue it’s important people do their own research because sugar might rot your teeth, but junk science will rot your brain. 
  2. Least Transparent Administration Closes Records on Fannie and Freddie. John Berlau argues that the Obama Administration needs to open the books on its management of the two government-sponsored entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which play a dominant role in housing and the economy.
  3. Holiday Liquor Laws: Where to Buy Your Christmas Cup of Cheer. Michelle Minton publishes an expert guide to our wacky state holiday laws, including the 27 states that still have blue laws—hangover regulations from prohibition. However, many states have been repealing or replacing restrictive prohibition-era alcohol laws with rules friendlier to small businesses thanks to efforts of local brewers, wine makers, and drinkers willing to take a stand.
  4. Gruber's Disciples Gunning for Your IRA and 401(k). John Berlau analyzes the administration’s new regulatory and hidden-tax scheme that claims to protect average Americans’ retirement savings from dishonest financial professionals. The Labor Department’s “fiduciary rule” would restrict the investment choices of holders of 401(k)s, IRAs, health savings accounts, and more.
  5. Nobody Knows How Many Federal Agencies Exist. Wayne Crews highlights how no one knows how large our government bureaucracy is by noting different agency counts from several different government sources. He argues if nobody knows how many agencies exist, that means we don’t know how many people work for the government, nor know how many rules there really are.