The FCC Fights for a Free Market

[Porpoise101]

Today the FCC voted 3-2 in favor of a proposal that would allow consumers to go to third parties to rent a cable box. This was intended to introduce much-needed competition in the markets, ultimately with the effect of lowering prices.

What do you guys think? By how I slanted the title, I think you can see that I am very much for this kind of regulation. Hopefully the feds try to break up the airlines or more of telecom.

Source: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2016/02/18/fcc_votes_3_2_in_favor_of_proposal_to_open_cable_boxes_to_third_parties.html

[Judean Zealot]

Today the FCC voted 3-2 in favor of a proposal that would allow consumers to go to third parties to rent a cable box. This was intended to introduce much-needed competition in the markets, ultimately with the effect of lowering prices.

What do you guys think? By how I slanted the title, I think you can see that I am very much for this kind of regulation. Hopefully the feds try to break up the airlines or more of telecom.

Source: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2016/02/18/fcc_votes_3_2_in_favor_of_proposal_to_open_cable_boxes_to_third_parties.html

It's important to note that this proposal is only a recommendation, not a legislative action. I'm generally in favour of such proposals.

[phuckphace]

It's important to note that this proposal is only a recommendation, not a legislative action.

^^^

the FCC is more or less powerless to actually enforce fair competition, and the Justice Department (which I believe has this power) has been severely weakened by big money interests.

if they were doing their jobs the US market wouldn't be dominated by a few big players, but it manifestly is. although they get an honorable mention for blocking the AT&T-TMobile merger a few years ago, there's still drastically less competition in the US compared to Europe.

example: my friend in Lithuania can take his pick of five or six different ISPs that offer blazing fast FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) internet service, and you can get it anywhere including rural areas. it's incredibly cheap because they actually compete. this is why I'm highly suspicious when lolbertarians shill against breaking up the big US companies with the excuse "but muh economy of scale!" Lithuania is the size of West Virginia and has like 2.5 million people, try again Rand.

[Porpoise101]

^^^

the FCC is more or less powerless to actually enforce fair competition, and the Justice Department (which I believe has this power) has been severely weakened by big money interests.
You are right that this isn't an action, but this is the proposal that may become a bill that may become a law. After looking into this process more, I see that this dream I had of competition and higher quality quickly washed away when I saw that this would take a long time and has a slim chance of passing. Most Americans won't hear about it due to elections and those that do probably won't have enough clout to make a real grassroots effort. It's a real shame...

[phuckphace]

can POTUS break up corps via executive order? maybe the God-Emperor should look into this...

[Porpoise101]

can POTUS break up corps via executive order? maybe the God-Emperor should look into this...
I know that its possible with the proper legislation first. That is the challenge. But you see, once that happens the prez can sic the DOJ on those fools. Look and learn from Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson.