DIRECTV and DISH Network Urge Michigan Legislators to Reject Discriminatory Satellite-Only Tax — Community

#1 Sep 15, 2009 at 3:24 pm

DIRECTV and DISH Network are urging Michigan state legislators to reject a discriminatory satellite-only tax included in the most recent House budget proposal.
In a joint company letter to be sent to legislators tomorrow, the satellite providers caution that under the proposal supported by cable companies, "approximately 1 million Michigan families would be punished with a new 5% sales tax for choosing satellite TV."

The following is the complete text of the letter:

Read Bulletin

#2 Sep 15, 2009 at 5:35 pm

Seems like good 'ol mafia practices at work! This "Tax" is not any different than the mafia used to charge for "protection money". Make the little guys pay for all the big guys spending habits....Socialist principles all over again!

#3 Sep 15, 2009 at 7:44 pm

I love the way the satellite companies point out in their letter that the cable industry doesn't have the honesty to include the franchise fees in the overall cost of the service.
I totally agree with them. After all it would be the same as Dish or Direct having a fee in every bill called liftoff or thrust or Van Allen Fee.
I mean they don't have a fee called the "Our Administration wants a huge bonus fee" do they? When companies almost flat out bribe politicians either directly or through lobyists they don't pass those costs directly to us through a fee. It's the same thing.

I'll own that I am sick of their hypocrisy and wish all companies would charge us what they need to make a reasonable (note the previous word) profit.
Just my rant/2cents worth. :roll: