🚀 go-pugleaf

kadie@m.cs.uiuc.edu (Carl M. Kadie) writes:

*>>I have mixed feeling about the cable-tv regulation, but not about the
*>>slimy insert I just received in my cablevision bill. For example, that
*>>figure of a $23 dollar increase comes not from the Commerce department
*>>but from the National Cable Television Association.

Evidently, the cable companies are worried that they will loose
business or make less profit if the so called "reregulation bill" is
passed and they are probably right.  I'm sure they would like to pass
their increased costs on to the consumers so while their tactics may
be slimy, I can't say that I blame them.  

It would be much better if the cable companies were deregulated.  As
it is now, most cable companies have an exclusive franchise (even
though it is sometimes called a nonexclusive franchise) to serve a
particular area and the only thing that is keeping them from raising
their rates sky high is the fear of rate regulation.  This is supposed
to be a free country; why not open up the cable markets to free market
competition?  Then we could have low rates and the cable companies
could make their profits.  But, of course, they are trying to protect
their unreasonably cushy position and all most people can think of is
more government interference to cut the rates.  As far as I am
concerned, cable is not a necessity of life and therefore, there is
absolutely no reason to regulate that industry at all.  Period.

Darrell