Politics 101: Voluntary Standards Save Consumers Money

The American Republican party claims free enterprise and business deregulation saves consumers tons of money. In most cases it is the opposite.

There is an alternative; voluntary standards like the Energy Star program. Businesses can make energy efficient products or not. Consumers can buy energy efficient products or not.

Another example is the VESA standard for flat screen TV mounting. Image if each TV had a proprietary hole pattern and mounting bracket. That is currently the case with over-the-counter microwave ovens. Hole patterns and mounting brackets are not standardized from brand to brand or even within the same brand.

Many politicians oppose voluntary standards that would save consumers money.

In this video:

• Deregulation saves businesses money. 00:32
• Voluntary standards saves consumers money. 3:16