Likewise, it would be difficult to impose consumer representation on boards where a business only sells to other businesses; but it would seem unfair to target only retailers and other firms that trade directly with ordinary shoppers.
Although the appeal will most likely turn on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the 1976 medical devices amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the case is part of a broader debate in Washington over the extent to which the Bush administration and Congress may preclude the states from imposing consumer regulations that are more stringent than the federal government's.
"In the face of enormous dangers to consumers, federal regulators have imposed critical consumer protections on the merger of AOL and Time Warner," said Gene Kimmelman, co-director of the Washington office of Consumers Union.
The power has shifted to the consumer, and generating revenue won't be something imposed on consumers but rather a menu of choices for consumers.
"The vast majority of customers don't understand the relationship between energy companies' costs, the prices imposed on consumers and margins made from them," she said.
In recent speeches, Mrs. Kroes has been critical of Europe's mobile operators, saying she saw no justification for the high roaming charges imposed on consumers, which has also deterred cross-border business development.
The jump in interest rates on cards of three or four percentage points in some cases were imposed on consumers despite a cut in base rates during the last six months from 5.5%to0.5%5.5%to0.5%
"If — as is likely — the benefits of state-by-state regulation are outweighed by the loss of opportunity and access imposed on consumers, federal involvement can be justified".
Even more annoying, because of contractual obligations, a 10-minute limit on broadcast-quality streaming video has been imposed on consumers because of fears the MSOs have that too many people watching too many videos for too long would cause their networks to crash.
Be aware that the Credit CARD Act does not address interest rate hikes imposed on consumers who violate the terms of their credit card agreements.
