In light of Verizon’s acquisition of billions of dollars of spectrum from the cable operators, it now seems apparent that AT&T’s proposed merger with T-Mobile is even more important to the interests of consumers.  Verizon is poised to acquire spectrum that would cover 259 million American’s, giving it the ability to drastically increase its level [...]

Among the cleanest and most promising technologies in energy production doesn’t come from the sun or the wind or the waters.  Hydraulic fracturing, a newly perfected way to extract natural gas from the ground, gives American energy a breath of new hope, as our reliance on foreign energy sources has been on the rise. Now [...]

The Florida legislature has two bills (SB 710 and HB 487) that contemplate destination resort style gambling and a gaming commission.  Completely predictable are the arguments in support (jobs and taxes) and in opposition (morality, fairness to other entertainment venues ).  Florida already has a gaming industry; statewide lottery, 18 racetracks and 5 casinos in [...]

Should Legislation Protect Consumers or Cons and Ticket Scalpers? Everyone knows someone that has gone to a concert or a sporting event, having paid far beyond the ticket’s face value.  Many of us have also heard the horror stories of a fan going to concert only to find someone else sitting in their seat – [...]

A national consumer survey conducted by the American Consumer Institute finds that the majority of consumers support stronger privacy protections.  Consumers expressed concerns about the collection and use of their personal information by tech companies like Google and Facebook, with 62% not trusting these companies with their information.  Of the 800 consumers surveyed, 33% said [...]

A national consumer survey conducted by the American Consumer Institute (ACI) finds that the vast majority of consumers support stronger intellectual property protections against trafficking of counterfeit goods.  The survey of 800 consumers found 82% of consumers agreed that counterfeit goods, such as knock-off products, pirated software and imitation pharmacy drugs hurt the economy, with [...]

It’s hard to imagine a more transparent epistle than the one Sean Shaw sent to the Tallahassee Democrat. He was attempting to recast an op-ed from Steve Pociask with the American Consumer Institute which pointed to Shaw as being, well…transparent. Pociask alleged that trial lawyers, especially the former state Insurance Consumer Advocate, were manipulating the [...]

A national consumer survey conducted by the American Consumer Institute finds 89% of consumers oppose the imposition of higher tax rates on wireless services compared to what is levied on other goods and services.  When consumers were asked what the tax rate should be, 49% said wireless tax rate should be the same as the [...]

Euro Zone members are pointing fingers, lecturing on austerity and mugging for cameras by convening riots in the streets and gatherings of politicians.  U.S. consumers just want to hear the “prepare for the worst” commentary, as did Houseman:   And while the sun and moon endure Luck’s a chance, but trouble’s sure, I’d face it as [...]

As most anyone can see, federal spending has gotten out of control. As you read this, the so called “Super Committee” is looking for ways to cut billions from the federal budget in an attempt get spending under control and, hopefully, right the drifting ship that is our economy.  While most agree that Congress needs [...]