PPI WEEKLY UPDATE: PPI Stakes Out Central Role In Net Neutrality Debate, The Rise of the Data-driven Consumer, & How Democrats C

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PROGRESSIVE POLICY INSTITUTE ===== PPI STAKES OUT CENTRAL ROLE IN NET NEUTRALITY DEBATE: Following President Obama's announcement in support of Title II regulation of broadband Internet, PPI President Will Marshall released a statement [ http://www.progressivepolicy.org/issues/economy/ppi-statement-president-obamas-endorsement-title-ii-regulation/ ] encouraging the President to reconsider his endorsement for such a heavy-handed regulatory approach. "If the election yields any lesson, it is that Democrats need to offer the public a more convincing plan for accelerating economic growth and restoring shared prosperity," Marshall writes. "Such a plan should begin by building on America's comparative advantages in digital innovation and entrepreneurship. Imposing public utility-style regulation on the Internet points in the opposite direction. It would very likely reduce private investment in broadband, which as PPI has documented in a series of policy reports, is a prime catalyst for job and business creation in the United States." Marshall's comments were featured in Yahoo! News and across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Africa by Agence France-Presse. [ http://news.yahoo.com/obama-seeks-open-internet-us-rules-150510247.html ] Additionally, PPI Chief Economic Strategist Michael Mandel, PPI Senior Fellow Hal Singer, and PPI Senior Fellow Ev Ehrlich penned an open letter to pro-growth progressives expressing grave concerns about the president's endorsement. "Regulating the Open Internet: A Letter to Pro-growth Progressives" [ http://www.progressivepolicy.org/issues/economy/regulating-open-internet-letter-pro-growth-progressives/ ] argues four points: First, Title II is not necessary to protect consumers from the hypothetical threat of discrimination by broadband providers against edge providers; Second, Title II itself isn't guaranteed to stop pay-for-priority by broadband service providers; Third, the more likely rationale for imposing Title II is to pursue an aggressive regulatory agenda unrelated to net neutrality; Fourth, the net neutrality saga has diverted the FCC's resources for nearly a decade and under Title II it guarantees itself a drawn-out litigation battle with broadband providers. The letter was featured in Newsmax. [http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/internet-neutrality-regulation-congress/2014/11/10/id/606541/ ] U.S. Economics Editor at The Economist, Greg Ip, tweeted "Don't make up your mind about net neutrality until you read letter by @MichaelMandel & @ppi colleagues." A recent policy report coauthored by Singer, "The Best Path Forward On Net Neutrality," [ http://www.progressivepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014.09-Litan-Singer_The-Best-Path-Forward-on-Net-Neutrality.pdf ] was cited in a New York Times article [ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/business/net-neutrality-debate-access-and-costs-are-top-issues.html ] suggesting that the regulation of broadband Internet can be achieved through lighter means that does not put at risk other crucial objectives - like broadening access to the Internet and tackling the nation's very real digital divide. Mandel was quoted by The New York Times, [ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/technology/call-for-open-internet-sets-up-fight-over-rules.html?referrer=&_r=0 ], interviewed by WCGO Radio Chicago [ http://1590wcgo.com/ ], and appeared on CNBC's "Closing Bell" [ http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/cnbc/more-internet-regulation-good-for-consumer-356601923636 ] this week regarding the implications of the president's Title II endorsement. The Associated Press cited a PPI policy report by Mandel and PPI Economist Diana Carew, "U.S. Investment Heroes of 2014: Investing at Home in a Connected World," [ http://www.progressivepolicy.org/issues/economy/u-s-investment-heroes-2014-investing-home-connected-world/ ] in their article about Obama stepping into the net neutrality debate. [ http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/obama-inflames-divisive-debate-net-neutrality-26825228?singlePage=true ] DATA & CONSUMER WELFARE GAINS: On Wednesday, Mandel penned a blog post, "The Rise of the Data-driven Consumer," [ http://www.progressivepolicy.org/blog/rise-data-driven-consumer/ ] sharing some of the results from a soon-to-be released PPI paper on data and consumer welfare gains since the recession, by Mandel and Carew. Mandel analyzes how Americans are consuming data-related goods and services, including everything from cable, wireless, and Internet service to computers, software and content. Their analysis shows the prices of data-related goods and services have dropped by almost 20 percent since 2007; Real consumption of data-related goods and services per person has risen by 48 percent since 2007; and real consumption per person of all other goods and services-from healthcare to housing to autos to food-is only up 0.9 percent since 2007. "Without the success of the data sector, American consumers would be far worse off than they are today," Mandel writes. "Whatever we do about regulating the Internet must take into account that it's the most vibrant sector of the economy." The Associated Press also quoted Mandel [ http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/celebrating-low-us-unemployment-26776012 ] on why the unemployment rate no longer seems to reflect America's mood. MARSHALL, "HOW DEMOCRATS CAN RECOVER": In a Sunday op-ed for The Daily Beast, [ http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/09/how-democrats-can-recover.html ] Will Marshall argues that it is time new Democratic leadership and bolder ideas that appeal to the rest of America and details how progressives can start working now to create a post-Obama party that can win. Marshall writes, "First, the party needs to start working on a post-Obama agenda. Second, those ideas won't come from the party's current congressional leadership. Third, Democrats can't count on demographics to save them. Fourth, Democrats can't give up on white voters… Forget about new candidates, more money, and better political "messaging." For now, what progressives need more than anything else is to start work on a bolder vision for making America great again." ### The Progressive Policy Institute is an independent, innovative and high-impact DC-based think tank founded in 1989. Through research, policy analysis and dialogue, PPI develops break-the-mold ideas aimed at economic growth, national security and modern, performance-based government. Today, PPI's unique mix of political realism and policy innovation continues to make it a leading source of pragmatic and creative ideas. PPI is a non-profit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) educational organization. ===== Connect with PPI on social media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/progressivepolicyinstitute Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/PPI Progressive Policy Institute · 1101 14th St. NW, Suite 1250 · Washington, DC 20005 You're receiving this email because of your interest in the Progressive Policy Institute. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe Instantly: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5940/p/salsa/supporter/unsubscribe/public/[email protected]&email_blast_KEY=174058