To Be an "Evil Capitalist," One Must First Be a Capitalist
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Oh wicked, bad, naughty, evil -- capitalist? -- Cablevision!
But it's hardly "capitalist sleaze" --
Of course, being a "government-chartered monopoly" usually goes hand-in-glove with being a government-regulated monopoly. So "Cablevision is screwing its customers" is just a less-informative way of saying "the government is letting Cablevision screw its customers, whom it gave to Cablevision by fiat."
Who would dare call that a "market failure"?
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*Meaning, of course, "local government." It's a bit silly to lay this issue at the FCC's doorstep, as consumer advocates seem to be doing -- the FCC does not regulate cable television (though they would certainly like to).
Cablevision is lying to customers by claiming that the FCC will require all subscribers to upgrade to digital cable boxes in 2009. ... Cablevision recently sent a letter to all boxless subscribers threatening to cut several channels unless they forked out a bundle of extra cash for digital service. When one of our family member called for an explanation, Cablevision shirked responsibility and placed the blame squarely on some crazy new FCC mandate. We called shenanigans and decided to call back and record our chats with several customer service representatives.Yes, that is certainly sleazy (there is indeed a pending FCC mandate for the digitization of broadcast television in 2009, but that has nothing at all to do with cable television).
But it's hardly "capitalist sleaze" --
Cablevision is well within its bounds to charge whatever it wants for service. They can tell us we need a cable box, and that service will now cost $300 per month. That's a freedom afforded by the market.Um, no. Cablevision is not "the market" -- it is a government-chartered monopoly.* And the sleaze in which it appears to be engaging is the kind of sleaze that only a government-chartered monopoly would dare engage in.
Of course, being a "government-chartered monopoly" usually goes hand-in-glove with being a government-regulated monopoly. So "Cablevision is screwing its customers" is just a less-informative way of saying "the government is letting Cablevision screw its customers, whom it gave to Cablevision by fiat."
Who would dare call that a "market failure"?
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*Meaning, of course, "local government." It's a bit silly to lay this issue at the FCC's doorstep, as consumer advocates seem to be doing -- the FCC does not regulate cable television (though they would certainly like to).
Related Posts (on one page):
- To Be an "Evil Capitalist," One Must First Be a Capitalist
- FCC Recommends Against A La Carte Cable Pricing
- Religious Networks Oppose Cable Rate Reform
- Cable Reform: Was Michael Moore Involved?
- Cable Outage
Posted by Kip on
21 April 2008
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