Site Archives Uncategorized

Unemployment Rate Fell? Well, Maybe …

  • Posted by steve
  • December 4, 2009

There was (on the surface) good news from the BLS Employment Situation Report today – jobs fell by only 11,000 and the unemployment rate decreased from 10.2% to 10% from October to November.   That’s good news right? 
 
Here is something that you won’t get from the news reports ….
A closer look at the unemployment rate shows that [...]

Professor Fuhr Discusses Impact of Credit Card Fees on Consumers


To the see the article in the Delaware County Daily Times click here.

The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research Receives a Grant from the Atlas Economic Research Foundation’s North American Support Program

  • Posted by admin
  • November 25, 2009


As Black Friday Approaches, Americans Would Have More Money to Spend If Not for Hidden Credit Card Fees — The American Consumer Institute Finds the Annual Interchange Fees to be Roughly One Half of Holiday Spending

  • Posted by steve
  • November 24, 2009

WASHINGTON—The American Consumer Institute (ACI) today released a ConsumerGram detailing the negative effects that high credit card fees (referred to as interchange fees) have on families across the country. On average, each household will pay an estimated $337 this year in interchange fees – a hidden tax on credit card purchases. In turn, the credit [...]

American Consumer Institute Refutes Baseless Free Press Claims about Network Neutrality and Investment


ACI Calls Policy Makers’ Attention to Facts about Investment
Washington, DC (November 11, 2009) – Emphasizing its agreement that the FCC “…must be guided by evidence, not rhetoric,” the American Consumer Institute today released a point-by-point report refuting the claims about investment and regulation made by Free Press. Given the close relationship between broadband network investment [...]

American Consumer Institute Releases Study Finding No Difference in Consumer Electronics Prices between Wal-Mart and Best Buy; Study Calls for Wal-Mart to Improve On-Shelf Labeling to Ensure Shoppers Can Make Educated Comparisons of Consumer Electronics

  • Posted by editor
  • November 10, 2009

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release                                                      
 

Washington, DC (November 10, 2009) – Shoppers’ perception that Wal-Mart is the lowest-priced retailer for consumer electronics goods is incorrect, according to a new study, released today, by the American Consumer Institute (ACI).
 
The study’s findings are particularly significant considering that according to the Consumer Electronics Association, the [...]

FCC Chief Economists Asks Other Economists To Speak Up With Their Ideas; and Dr. Larry Darby’s Replies

  • Posted by editor
  • October 30, 2009

On October 27, the FCC’s Chief Economist asked for economists to “educate” the FCC on economics, in a posting on http://blog.openinternet.gov/?p=133.  He concluded: “Economists: This is your opportunity to educate me and the Commission.  Am I thinking about our task in a productive way?  What other economic issues should be on my list?”
Today, Dr. Larry Darby, [...]

Remarks of Dr. Larry F. Darby — “How Cozy is the Broadband Duopoly?”


Remarks of Dr. Larry F. Darby
How “Cozy” is the BB Duopoly?
PFF Congressional Seminar:
“Broadband Competition: Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?
Delivered on June 12, 2009
**************************************************
Thank you.
· I want summarize some results of our ongoing work, from a consumer welfare perspective, What kinds of tests for market failure should suffice to warrant imposition of [...]

The American Consumer Institute Outlines Ten Issues that the FCC Must Address in its Net Neutrality Rulemaking Proceeding

  • Posted by steve
  • October 13, 2009

Washington, DC – The American Consumer Institute today released a letter from Senior Fellow Dr. Larry F. Darby to Ms. Sharon Gillett, Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau.  The letter set forth ten discrete sets of issues germane to the Commission’s impending Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Net Neutrality.  The letter was [...]

ACI’s Letter to the FCC Regarding Concerns With Internet Regulations


October 13, 2009
Ms. Sharon Gillett, Chief
Wireline Competition Bureau
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554
Regarding the Pending Net Neutrality NPRM
Dear Ms. Gillett:
This letter is motivated in large part by Chairman Genachowski’s recent announcement of his intention to launch a rulemaking to strengthen and extend the Commission’s Net Neutrality principles. Its purpose is to raise some issues and [...]