IPI Responds to AT&T's Panic-Induced False Charge 3/11/2004
From: Sonia Hoffman of Institute for Policy Innovation, 972-874-5139, shoffman@IPI.org DALLAS, March 11 -- The following statement was released today by Tom Giovanetti, president of the Institute for Policy Innovation: "Today, in response to an opinion piece I wrote for the Austin American-Statesman newspaper, AT&T has accused the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) of being 'a front group for SBC.' I invite all those who are curious about this matter to visit IPI's website (http://www.ipi.org), to see if IPI bears any of the hallmarks of a "front group." Any casual browser will see that it does not. IPI is, instead, a respected 17-year-old non-profit public policy research organization. Telecom is only a small part of our technology program, which is itself only a small part of IPI's overall mission, which includes tax cuts and tax reform, federal budget issues, Social Security modernization, intellectual property issues, health care issues, education reform, and welfare and entitlement reform. IPI is supported by a broad and diverse base of individuals, philanthropic foundations, small businesses and corporations who support our overall mission. Our funders do not always agree with everything we publish or every position we advocate, but in general they support our belief in lower taxes, fewer regulations, and a smaller, less-intrusive government. No doubt AT&T's false charge is due to panic from the recent court decision that will force AT&T to begin negotiating for access in the marketplace, rather than using the political process to gain distorted wholesale prices. Once telecom prices begin being determined by markets, rather than by political lobbying, we'll see the telecom sector arise from its current depression, and begin once again innovating, investing, building new networks and creating new jobs. Hopefully AT&T will be a part of this new, truly competitive telecom marketplace. Now, for comparison, and for purely educational purposes, here are some examples of some REAL front groups -- groups that exist solely for the purposes of advocating for a particular position of a particular company, or group of companies: -- Voices for Choices http://www.voicesforchoices.com/voices/ -- The Phoenix Center http://www.phoenix-center.org/ I'm sure any interested parties will be able to spot the difference between a respected research organization, and a true front group. We appreciate AT&T's interest in IPI." |