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RFD-TV and FCC
Posted by Klaus Karbaumer at 2014-08-12 17:38:52
I finally got around today to file my comment to the FCC and urged them to make sure that the channel remains available for us even after the merger of the cable companies. I stated that the channel was not only a great source of entertainment and fun for me, was also an invaluable provider of information.
Our ardent supporters of free markets here on the Front Porch, though, I want to remind that we are appealing to a government agency to interfere with so-called market forces. The latter ones unfortunately are not in favor of the proportionally small number of rural TV- watchers.
Response by NoraWI at 2014-08-13 06:03:17
I don't believe in free market when it comes to air waves that belong to THE PEOPLE! Frankly, I strenuously object to commercial interests being in control of them. We have misused the most effective medium that has ever been developed to inform and educate. Everything seems to be done on the basis of profit or its lack. What happened to altruism and the benefit to the public at large?
Response by BillSmith at 2014-08-13 07:29:28
That's the beauty of a representative republic- everyone gets to be heard. That doesn't mean they always get their way, but they have the right to be heard regarding political issues. I've been calling for the end to PBS/NPR/CPB for years. I haven't got what I want, but I have the ability to make my case heard.
Response by Klaus Karbaumer at 2014-08-13 09:22:30
I agree, Nora, but everything can be seen as a matter of interpretation. Air waves belong to the people , what about water in the ground, in rivers , what about the air above us, and even the land? Oftentimes in a so-called ownership society the claim is , whoever used it first, bought it from some entity, or in the case of cable, built it, has all the rights to it and can do with that property, whatever they want to do. Germany's constitution, written after WW II, under the influence of American occupation, on the other hand emphasizes the "social obligation" of private property and even demands that it has "to serve the common wealth". That of course is a bold claim and is open to interpretation, but that is one of the reasons why economic decisions in companies and corporations operating in Germany cannot be made without involvement of the employees. In other words, boards of directors and shareholders are not the only ones making decisions about a firm. I do hope that the FCC interferes with the narrow commercial interests of these cable and/or air waves companies and does not let them cut out RFD-TV from their programming just because the number of watchers is comparatively small and therefore doesn't bring as much ad income as if they only served urban audiences.
Response by Hard Paul at 2014-08-14 08:01:09
So we should force a company to sell something they lose money on so you can watch TV. I like RFD as well, but you wouldn't like the gov. to make you give your veggies away even though it would be for the better of the people. If I don't have total private property rights or the people want to dictate to me how my business is run I will raise 1 beef a year and let the people find a way to feed themselves.
Response by NoraWI at 2014-08-14 10:15:16
Paul, the stations do NOT own the airwaves. the right to use various frequencies are apportioned every few years. The various stations pay surprisingly little for the exclusive rights to those frequencies on the basis of which they earn BIG dollars by selling commercial time. They used to have to allocate certain "public service" time. But not anymore.

Klaus, I did not know that German corporations included their employees in their decision making. I do know that true cooperatives such as Mondragon Corporation in the Basque region of Spain has the most inclusive decision-making and asset allocation in the world. I believe it has been in very successful existence since the '20s. I wish this model were used throughout the world!
Response by Wes Lupher at 2014-08-14 10:53:03
Really didn't expect this to turn into a discussion on socialism.
As far as water and property rights go, I hope no one tries to take either. It would get ugly.

I also hope we can keep/get some good programming.
Response by Dale Wagner at 2014-08-15 01:26:13
Don't take many millionairs against poor folks to steal water or land. Damn lawyers just cost too much and they don't have any morals, just bank accounts.
Response by BillSmith at 2014-08-16 07:13:46
Those companies that pay a surprisingly small amount for exclusive use of those airwaves provide the vehicle to employ a staggering number of people not just at the network but in all the subsidiary businesses, the advertisers, the actors and producers, etc. It's all tightly regulated and taxed. I'd love to to get the exact programing I want, but the majority of people have no interest in what I like. Deal with it.

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