Friday, August 11, 2006

Never Underestimate The Logic Of Politicians

Opponents of statewide franchise licensing for television services have a really bizarre argument:

Some lawmakers in South Jersey opposed the law because they feared it would allow the telephone companies to focus on providing television service only to the state’s more densely populated — and profitable regions — while ignoring lower-income and sparsely populated communities in the south.

Even if true (and you don’t have to look any farther than cell-phone competition to know that it’s not) it make no sense. Leaving some residents at the status quo is a reason to oppose a bill that would make everyone else better off?

Of course the real reason that they opposed the legislation is that it cuts local governments out of the tax game. They will no longer be able to extort cash out of the cable providers.

It’s quite simple really – when you give consumers more choices they win. Every time.

Update: Brian and Eli respond in the comments - perhaps they weren't agreeing quite as much as I thought they were.

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