HDTV Expert - Cable TV – Socialism?

[ragnars]

Socialism? Cable companies were founded as the epitome of capitalism - filling a need to obtain entertainment that one could not get on his own(remember mountaintop antennas for distant signals) .And like all capitalist corporations they soon figured a way to increase their revenues by offering bundled packages that one had to take to get ones desired content, but also some less desirable. All companies do that - think of automobiles with their "comfort" or "lighting" packages that always include some worthless options along with those you can't live without.

By some definitions government is inherently socialist because it has usurped certain functions. But think about origins of government. The neraby tribe came regularly to rob you and burn your hut and fields, so you banded with your neighbors (established a "government") and raised resources and manpower to defend the community which you could not do on your own. Voila, socialist government took my contribution and raised a defence force. Similarly I grew one crop, say wheat, but desired meat . If my neighbor grew hogs, I could swap my wheat for his hogs, but if he also grew only wheat I had to search far and wide for a swap. Enter a joint enterprize (government) that introduced an intermediate commodity (money) so I could convert (sell) my wheat and use that money to obtain whatever I needed without lugging my wheat around the world looking for whoever needed it and also had whatever I wanted. Bless the government!

Where do we draw the line? The ultimate form of socialism is communism and that is the biggest legitimate fear of those decrying "creeping socialism". But cable companies bundling programming are far from it!

[dabhome]

If cable companies bundling channels is Socialism, then maybe I should be allowed to pick and choose which portions of the paper I want to pay for. What about NetFlix, unlimited cell minutes, or unlimited mileage on rental cars. Am I not subsidizing those who view more movies, talk more on the phone or drive more miles.

In fact, it is exactly the opposite! Forcing Cable companies to offer a choice in channels is closer to Socialism then their choice to bundle channels. This would be the government getting involved in controlling the company and the means of production.