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topics flat nest nasadude

join:2001-10-05

Rockville, MD nasadude Member It's not our government gov't no longer belongs to we the people, it belongs to billionaires and corporations.



when you look at what the FCC, or any other agency, does (or doesn't do) from this perspective, their actions make complete sense.

mr sean

Professional Infidel



join:2001-04-03

N. Absentia 1 recommendation mr sean Cruz is a piece of work... So Wheeler, an ex-lobbyist for the industry, isn't pro-business enough for Senator Cruz?



The man from Texas, who constantly tells us government is broken and Washington insiders rule the roost, now requires a pledge that Wheeler won't up the ante on transparency in political advertising?



I posit that the lack of transparency and waaaaay too much big money is part of the problem.

skeechan

Ai Otsukaholic

Premium Member

join:2012-01-26

AA169|170 skeechan Premium Member Re: Cruz is a piece of work... They are transparent, transparently corrupt from top to bottom; a revovling door for lobbyists.

Duramax08

To The Moon

Premium Member

join:2008-08-03

San Antonio, TX Duramax08 to mr sean

Premium Member to mr sean

I dont understand him either. How does his supporters feel about this? He had some homecoming in texas, with people cheering "Thank You Ted!" and other stupid nonsense. I guess corporations are people too, just with a bigger checkbook. Whats stopping you from donating thousands of dollars to get stuff done in your favor?

skeechan

Ai Otsukaholic

Premium Member

join:2012-01-26

AA169|170 1 recommendation skeechan Premium Member Re: Cruz is a piece of work... They are 1 issue voters and their issue is Obama. Cruz could kick his dog and have a few dead kids in the trunk and it wouldn't matter.

firephoto

We the people

Premium Member

join:2003-03-18

Brewster, WA firephoto to Duramax08

Premium Member to Duramax08

said by Duramax08: I dont understand him either. How does his supporters feel about this? He had some homecoming in texas, with people cheering "Thank You Ted!" and other stupid nonsense. I guess corporations are people too, just with a bigger checkbook. Whats stopping you from donating thousands of dollars to get stuff done in your favor?



Texas isn't really the shining star of sensible government laws and policies but they are lock step with the conservative political approach of saying one thing and doing another with a straight face and being dead serious. It's a classic distraction to get people's attention while the real business happens behind the scenes. That said, if it was really honestly a benefit to the majority of the population it would be acceptable but instead these actions are only sold as being a benefit while not actually being one. Texas government is the one that all but bans Tesla cars from being sold or serviced or advertised like any other automobile. yes? It's a state issue but it most certainly sets the stage for any politician originating from there.Texas isn't really the shining star of sensible government laws and policies but they are lock step with the conservative political approach of saying one thing and doing another with a straight face and being dead serious. It's a classic distraction to get people's attention while the real business happens behind the scenes. That said, if it was really honestly a benefit to the majority of the population it would be acceptable but instead these actions are only sold as being a benefit while not actually being one.

delusion ftl

@comcast.net delusion ftl to mr sean

Anon to mr sean

People are always making decisions without all the information (which is a problem with mainstream media)

Cruz specifically wants assurances that citizen donors that are NOT donating to political candidates (for example, citizens who have donated to a PAC). And the reason he wants this is because he is worried the IRS (government) or other groups (private) would harass and target those with whom they disagree with. (something with valid precedence with prop 8 targeting, and IRS audits/tax exemption blocking). This can cause "speech chilling".



So now that you have this information you may still feel the way you do, but at least you have more information and can now make an informed decision.



Disclaimer

*I am not a republican or a democrat, in fact I despise both parties politics and politicians in general*

humanfilth

join:2013-02-14

cyber gutter humanfilth to mr sean

Member to mr sean

Rafael Edward Cruz is a Canadian citizen sent to 'Merica at the ripe young age of 4, to bring down the system from the inside and crash 'Merica to its knees.



One of these days he may actually get his U.S. citizenship, to replace his green card which allows him to work in the U.S. on along-term basis.

I wonder if he can pass the citizenship test?



Not sarcasm....

skeechan

Ai Otsukaholic

Premium Member

join:2012-01-26

AA169|170 skeechan Premium Member Since when has anyone in this Administration bothered following the law? ...or any Administration in recent memory for that matter. So long as the lobbyist checks roll in, all is well as far as DC elites are concerned, particularly those at the FCC who look forward to excellent gigs once they have paid homage to their corporate puppeteers. old_wiz_60

join:2005-06-03

Bedford, MA old_wiz_60 Member Re: Since when has anyone in this Administration bothered following the law? Ignoring the law has been a characteristic of the government for many years. The regulatory agencies and the spooks are the worst offenders. The agency heads know they will have extremely well paying jobs when they leave, as long as they make the decisions they are expected to do by their owners.

skeechan

Ai Otsukaholic

Premium Member

join:2012-01-26

AA169|170 skeechan Premium Member Re: Since when has anyone in this Administration bothered following the law? But only in recent years have those in power been so overt in their crapping on the law.

anon_anon

@comcastbusiness.net anon_anon Anon Too late for broadcasters Consolidating local broadcasters is much like consolidating the buggy whip makers in the wake of the introduction of the horseless carriage. Consolidation isn't going to save them.

mr sean

Professional Infidel



join:2001-04-03

N. Absentia mr sean Re: Too late for broadcasters Small, fast, and nimble could win the race.

But I can't think of a fast and nimble local broadcaster.

Ricky Ricard

@mycingular.net Ricky Ricard to anon_anon

Anon to anon_anon

Amen. They are an industry straight out of the 1950s.

battleop

join:2005-09-28

00000 battleop Member HAH Too late... 'then erode the quality and diversity of local media and reporting"



The quality and diversity of local media reporting has been crap for decades. All 3 of our Local networks provide crap coverage of the same thing over and over. They are all about feeding their own egos.



If your news story includes phrases about "We were the first" "You can count on us" "You heard it here first" etc. You don't give a shit about the reader/viewer, you give a shit about your ego and bragging rights. b10010011

Whats a Posting tag?

join:2004-09-07

Bellingham, WA b10010011 Member This is why news sucks thease days. You hear pundits, specially Conservatives ranting about "the drive by media", will media conglomeration is why we have this and these same pundits will defend media conglomeration as a "free speech" issue.



Conglomeration is why you read or hear exactly the same news story almost verbatim no matter where you turn. There is no more local news or even local reporters in small market TV/Radio or newspapers.



When there is say a presidential press conference and you own 500 media outlets you do not send 500 reporters to cover it and then have them write 500 news stories giving 500 slightly different reports and opinions, you send one reporter who writes one story and gives one opinion and send that one story to all your 500 media outlets.



I live in a small community 20 years ago there were several local radio stations with solid local content 12 hours a day. Now every single commercial radio station is owned by Sinclare. We get about 5 minutes of local news a day and 5 minutes of national news. The rest of the day is syndicated talk.



Our ONE local TV station used to have an hour of local news every morning and cover local events. Now it's part of a media conglomerate and it just a robo-station playing re-runs 24/7.

linicx

Caveat Emptor

Premium Member

join:2002-12-03

United State linicx Premium Member What ? The FCC is charged with ensuring the people of the United States have wire and radio communication. And to this end enforce said rules.



The Federal Communications Commission does not have any influence over Television stations except they may license said stations. Syndicates have been buying newspapers, magazines, FCC licensed radio and television stations for a long time.



To pull a license to force a station to go dark, then prove wrong doing that is a violation of U.S. law. FCC can pull a license it issued and not much else. old_wiz_60

join:2005-06-03

Bedford, MA old_wiz_60 Member With the head... of the FCC a supposedly former Telco/cableco lobbyist, what are people expecting? He will do just what the cable/telco people want. He probably has a cushy job waiting for him when he leaves the FCC.



An FCC controlled by the people it is supposed to regulate is a joke, plain and simple.



We have moved from a democracy to an ogliarchy. Big Business an the super rich control the country and we bribed to vote their candidates into office.

whiteshp

join:2002-03-05

Xenia, OH whiteshp Member Yay! Spendown works!



/End Sarcasm Now all those evil Communists who said spend down didn't work can now see the error of their ways! When the wealthiest corporations don't have to pay taxes they can "spend down" buying the local news for all the local communities. Soon tax free corporations will make ALL news most can see "Fair & Balanced". So Ted Cruz will be seen as the new normal!/End Sarcasm

moldypickle

Premium Member

join:2009-01-04

Haughton, LA moldypickle Premium Member ? I wonder who originally thought up the idea that allowing a former lobbyist or exec to be the head of the fcc was ok. your comment..

