Banning Pets, Vampire Attacks and Consumer Credit

1. NANNY STATE

The City of San Francisco proposes a ban on pet sales.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Policy Analyst Angela Logomasini on how this policy would have major unintended consequences.

“Assigning property and prices for animals essentially perpetuates their existence by making them valuable and granting them stewards. And this works for more than pets. It explains why we have so many cows in the world whereas other species that had no price have been run into near–if not all-out–extinction, such as the buffalo.”

2. SAFETY

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received some bizarre claims, including a woman’s alleged escape from a vampire attack.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Fellow Michael Fumento on the automakers’ new problems: bears and vampires.

“No word yet on whether DOT Secretary Ray LaHood will propose making as mandatory equipment on all new cars both crucifixes and containers for holding fresh garlic. And mind, ye cynics, we know events transpired as she said because nobody would ever lie about why they got in an accident.”

3. INSURANCE

The Michigan Supreme Court reversed an initiative of Gov. Jennifer Granholm that would have barred insurance companies from considering credit ratings of customers.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Insurance Studies Michelle Minton on the national implications of this case.

“Auto insurance is expensive in Michigan because drivers are required to buy the greatest amount of coverage in the nation. I hope the next Governor – whoever that may be – learns from the mistakes the current one and realizes that the only way to reduce insurance premiums in the long term is to allow insurers to price rates accurately and to allow consumers the ability to choose how much or how little coverage they want.