Comcast Corporation is arguably the largest mass media and communications
company in the world. It is the nation’s largest cable company, Internet
service provider and the third-largest telephone service provider. Having
acquired the majority of the NBC Universal media company, Comcast also has
holdings in several large cable networks.
In recent decades, one thing has proven to be more powerful
than a handgun, an army or even a nation’s government. Today, arguably the most
powerful thing on the planet is the ability to communicate on a worldwide scale.
Revolution spreads like wildfire across the Internet. Millions are outraged by
one video posted on YouTube which in turn leads to protests, dissension in
ultimately governments throughout the Middle East
overturned. If the power of communication is as all-consuming as we have
witnessed it to be, how powerful then is the one who monopolizes
the control of communication?
In January 1984 the Bell
Telephone System was ordered to be broken up and divided into three
separate corporations. This resulted after years of strong arm business tactics
used to leverage hundreds of millions a year from the people of the United
States . During the time before the advent of
the Internet, those who control the telephone effectively control the people. It
was on these grounds that resulted in the government stepping in to break the
tyranny of a corporate superpower. We’re witnessing the reemergence of yet
another corporate superpower in the Comcast Corporation.
By comparison, the hundreds of thousands calling for
government intervention regarding the Bell
telephone system or minute compared to the millions who now call for change
regarding the Comcast threat upon the American people and perhaps the world. One
would have to wonder why our government, so intent upon foreign threats, does
not see the one within their own borders. Like the Bell
telephone system, Comcast is maneuvering itself to take control the entire United
States communications system. By controlling the communications,
essentially the news networks and the Internet, Comcast could effectively
control everything we see, hear and say.
Many parts of the country only have access to cable Internet
the Comcast. Comcast
effectively has a monopoly in these areas. Without citing the millions of
individual sources, anyone who must go through Comcast get online is well aware
of the strong-arm tactics utilized by Comcast against their customers. So why
does our government continue to allow Comcast to harass, strong-arm and price
gouge the American people during the worst economic recession of the past
century?
With class-action lawsuits filed against Comcast yearly
covering a wide range of bad business practices Comcast as are shown its
domination over the lower branches of our own government. As legitimate
lawsuits against Comcast are continually
thrown out of court, even more lawsuits
filed to replace them. This effectively makes legal recourse against the
tyranny of Comcast futile.
Perhaps the most significant threat posed by corporate
superpowers is only now emerging. Wal-Mart was effectively allowed to run amok
throughout America
shoving out small businesses and replacing them with gigantic Wal-Mart superstores.
Unfortunately, Wal-Mart does not give back to the communities of which they had
invaded. They drain the economies of these communities like a siphon into the
pockets of their own corporate leaders. Many openly point the finger companies
like Wal-Mart and Comcast for the economic woes we’re all facing now. With glad-handing
and friends in high political places these simple peddlers of groceries and
television are now among the richest corporations on the planet.
Perhaps our government leaders and state representatives
should take a closer look at the implications of a Comcast communications monopoly
of the United States
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