In an online survey, we asked readers to identify who they believed to be most responsible for the recent financial collapse.  In their response, most readers (42%) believed that the blame should be equally assigned to Wall Street, the federal government and main street borrowers/lenders.  However, the federal government took second place, with 28%, ahead [...]

IT Consumers Need Fuller Disclosure:
Privacy, Security, Labeling and Online Safety
 
Consumers can make rational choices only when they are given full and accurate information about their options.  Indeed, insufficient, misleading, or otherwise incomplete information is a prime cause of both market and government failure.  Consumers pay, and pay dearly, when they are not given sufficient information [...]

Policymakers frequently propose taxes on businesses, while claiming to spare them on consumers.  While these proposals seem politically more palatable, as an economist, I realize that rising business costs are recouped through higher prices paid for by consumers.  
Last month we had an online survey where we asked readers whether an increase in business taxes would or would not affect consumer prices.  The survey [...]

Our last ConsumerGram analyzed the hidden telephone fees that consumers pay as a result of an outdated system of regulated payments between telephone companies.  We concluded then that these payments represent subsidies that hurt consumers, are inefficient, and are not sustainable in the face of increasing competition.  Moreover, the subsidy scheme works to discourage investment [...]

What do you readers think?  Please comment ….

Have a Plan Now
·         You should have a plan for protecting your family and coordinating with each other in an emergency.  Emergencies are of different kinds, so plan broadly.  Food, water, shelter, first aid, batteries, flashlights, and communications are important to arrange for in advance.  You should also agree on a rendezvous point, how to [...]

In this season of political fervor and contention, consensus on anything of substance is rare.  Standing out is the virtually unanimous view that we as a nation should be taking all reasonable measures to spur development of broadband telecommunications networks.  The consensus is partially grounded in concerns about US broadband development vis-à-vis other countries, but [...]

Welcome to the ACI’s Experts Policy Blog.  In an effort to identify consumer problems and discuss potential workable public policy solutions, this blog will bring you thoughts and ideas from experts across the country.  We will be discussing a variety of issues from health, to finances, to energy, to technology.  We want to hear from [...]