FCC Wants To Tax Broadband

[jrogers]

I understand these funds go into the federal kitty but my beef was with the FCC mandate for everyone to narrow their bandwidth. This caused a huge problem and cost time and money for the DOD when they had to reconfigure most freqs.

Also, the FCC doesn't line their pockets, FCC commissioners lines their pockets after a big media merger or shift in policy. Those same folks "resign" only to show up later working as a lobbyist for the same media company they benefited...now trying to persuade the next FCC commissioner with a big fat carrot.

http://benton.org/node/75741

The FCC ethical requirements are too lax and allow this culture to become tainted. It has become so bad that Congress is even trying to stop it...and you know these guys aren't proactive.

Proposed FCC 'reform' could temper its bite - Eliza Krigman - POLITICO.com

Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2012 (H.R. 3309) - GovTrack.us

Even the Congressional solution (if it passes the Senate) is only a one year delay...only a speedbump.

The FCC is in place to serve the best interest of the people...not help media direct dumptrucks full of cash.

Honestly, I'm not at all concerned that the DOD was inconvenienced by spectrum reallocation. I am, however, completely with you on the matter of revolving-door lobbyism.

From each according to his ability to each according to his need?

Conflating legitimate public interest with communism is entirely without merit. And, quite frankly, lazy.

 

[poptab]

How far does the 'legitimate public interest' argument go. Where is the line?
Are you in favor of universal health care?

 

[knoxace]

Two years ago congress passed a bill so broadband companys can charge for utilization . providers are giving a base rate , and for every 50 meg over can be billed . mine is 250 meg every 50 meg over is 10 $ .They are tring to cut down on utilization by charging more . btw the current fcc tax on cable is 11cents .
If im not mistaken the fcc dosnt get funds from the gov only from taxes on your bills , cable cell and so on .

 

[Expat]

Neither can I. If people thought this way back in the '30s huge swaths Appalachia would still be without electricity or phone service. Your beloved invisible hand is imperfect; occasionally the lust for profits must be trumped by the public interest.

*plonk*

 

[mrjarrell]

Looks like the public outcry against this newest tax is being walked back and the party's involved in it are now playing the blame game. Regardless of who initiated it, republicans or dems, it looks like we are the winners, for now.

FCC backpedals from Internet tax - The Hill's Hillicon Valley

 

[PistolBob]

They want to RAISE the tax, bc if I recall there already IS a tax on broadband.

Look on your phone bill...it's a Universal Access Fee...not a tax. There. Feel better now?

 

[IndyDave1776]

Look on your phone bill...it's a Universal Access Fee...not a tax. There. Feel better now?

Oh no! We are back to the Obama/Reid/Pelosi/Roberts word games! A tax is not a tax, but a fee, unless it is convenient for the .gov for it to be a tax instead.

 

[IndyDave1776]

Conflating legitimate public interest with communism is entirely without merit. And, quite frankly, lazy.

How so? You ask 10 different people and you are going to get 11 different answers. After all, it is a matter of taking from others to give to those who cannot support the supply of a given product and service themselves. You may also notice that the definition of a need seems to change over time. Today, the poorest among us (with the exception of the homeless) have luxuries not available to the richest at the time of the Lincoln administration.

It is also noteworthy that while certain levels of income are not taxed or given refunds exceeding any tax withheld, there is not protection from losing everything one has to property taxes in the event of an unanticipated reduction or elimination of income, yet we expect these same people to share the burden for those who are not helping themselves at all. Communism by its very nature amounts to taking from those who have/do and giving it to those who do not have/do not do. The only distinction you have made between communism and actions taken by our own government which you support is that you arbitrarily deem some of them necessary.