Washington CSE’s Telecom Tour is Breaking Down the Barriers to Choice and Competition in the Telecommunications Market

“The telecom industry is one of the most highly regulated today. Government regulations prohibit the full potential of the high-tech economy and prevent consumers from receiving more choices and competition. When the industry is opened up to more competition and less regulation, we all benefit by having better product and service options and lower prices.”

— WA CSE deputy director, Ross Marzolf speaking at the CSE club meeting in Tacoma

Washington Citizens for a Sound Economy (WA CSE) has been traveling the state delivering its pro-consumer, pro-competition message to hundreds of grassroots citizens in an effort to educate consumers on the benefits of competition and choice in the telecommunications market. WA CSE has also shed light on how cumbersome government regulations – like those preventing local phone companies from offering long-distance service – stifle competition and consumer choice.

WA CSE delivered the message at numerous Republican women’s club meetings, conventions, town hall meetings and rallies. Starting off the telecommunications tour at the King County Republican Women’s Convention, WA CSE quickly moved on to the Young Republicans’ Convention and then to Kitsap County. The following week, WA CSE delivered its pro-consumer message to two Republican Women’s meetings in Snohomish and Whatcom counties, two meetings in Eastside and Evergreen, and one CSE club meeting in Tacoma. In all, WA CSE has educated over 300 political activists.

At each meeting, WA CSE delivers its point: government regulations stifle the full potential of the high-tech economy; government regulations replace consumer choice and competition; and, consumers are punished by higher prices and less quality service options due to unnecessary regulations.

New recruits are given action packets that include talking points on the benefits of competition and choice, sample letters to the editor and their elected representatives, and CSE Foundation’s educational booklet, “Breaking Down the Barriers to Competition: A Brighter Future of Telecommunications.” WA CSE will call them into action for future policy fights.

Next stops on the tour include visiting with Washington’s 45th district Republicans, and Cascade and Gig Harbor Republicans.