[TriLUG] OT: URGENT: H.129 to be heard in Thursday's Finance Committee!

[Dave Sorenson]

I also am not ready to cede control over to monopolies, I think that 
this proposed legislation protects the entrenched Telco monopolies 
(surprise surprise as it was written by their lobbyists), and prevents 
the citizens from deciding if they want to follow Wilson's lead and 
allow their government to provide them a service. Hardly socialism in my 
book as there is no real competition for internet services in the vast 
majority of North Carolina. The limited competition in the major metro 
areas consist of two for PROFIT companies trying to get as much cash for 
as little cost (service) as they can. That fundamental philosophy 
hobbles any chance of tangible high speed internet service at reasonable 
prices under the current provider scenario.

Rather then fight this battle with lobbyists, the telcos could be 
improving their networks, working to reduce costs to consumers and 
provide customer service, but they won't because 1. It's hard 2. It 
reduces the profit margin.  Towns like Wilson did not get in the 
business to run Telcos out of business, they got into it because Telcos 
refused to provide what the citizens want.





On 3/16/2011 10:15 AM, Mark Turner wrote:
> On 03/16/2011 10:03 AM, Dave Sorenson wrote:
>> You know, all yesterday I thought that this was an interesting
>> discussion, but now I'm getting the sense that we are in the spin zone.
>> Nobody argues a point this strongly unless they have a vested interest
>> in the outcome of the legislation.
>
> I'm just a politically-aware geek who's not ready to cede control of 
> the Internet to monopolies that abuse their position. This is sort of 
> a net neutrality issue for me and I see this bill as an attack on 
> freedom of speech on the Internet.
>
> Point taken, though. I'll pipe down now. Thanks, all, for putting up 
> with my rant. :)
>
> Mark