[Revolting cat!]

Monopoly is nice isn't it? It even has its defenders who think they'd be subsidizing those who don't like it. Go figure. A public service, utilizing public streets to string along the cable, monopolized and in cahoots with the politicians. The greatest land on earth in 2003 for you! Free market, yeah!

If they hiked your rates and you don't want cable TV, because who needs the idiot box, call them, protest, and threaten to switch to DSL. They'll give you a rate break for a few months. In fact, it may be an excellent idea to switch once a year or so between DSL and cable, taking advantage of the introductory rates. Screw them before they screw you and let the humourless steam thinking they are subsidizing you! (That alone is about half the fun.)

[FreePaul]

When cable first came to Houston they bribed the Mayor and several city councilmen had interests in the cable companies. The Mayor got convicted and a slap on the wrist penalty. The cable companies got to keep the franchises.

[Pro-Bush]

Monopoly is nice isn't it?

What monopoly? I can get Broadband data service from 5 different providers in my market (Sacramento Metro): Comcast, SBC, SureWest, OmSoft, & Earthlink. For video services, I can get Comcast, Dish, Direct TV, or SureWest. If the market you live in doesn't have these options for you...They will soon. It takes time for the beneifits of deregulation to expand to smaller communities.