Just because enough people are idiots doesn't mean that I have to like catering to them. People figured out that they can vote themselves my money, which is the beginning of the end.
Bush claimed not to increase taxes, yet the whole nation ended paying more than they bargained for.
Absolutely, another reason Bush was a disaster. Basically, increasing "fees" that are really just increases in taxes, but done in way to be able to claim that taxes were not increased. Yep, "change you can believe in!".
So Obama inherits at $1t deficit. He piles on his own crap up to $1.7t, pretends that someone else did it, cuts that down to $850b, and waves his magic wand.
Profit!
Profit!
Lemon law
Lifer
- Nov 6, 2005
- 20,984
- 3
- 0
As others have pointed out, the US cell phone industry not come up with either quality or quantity. When third world countries have a decidedly better cell phone industry than we do, and delivered at a tiny fraction of the price, we know a number of things. (a) The free market is failing to work as it should. (b) The cell phone industry and those that run it, run it like they enjoy the bad results. (c) Government has been missing in action for the years. (d) And to some extent, wise government policy can use taxes like a bludgeon to force better results. (e) And this whole thread is somewhat a preemptive strike by various cell phone industry apologists to preserve the really rotten status quo.
Face the facts, the government could probably triple its taxes on the cell phone industry and the consumer could get more quality and quantity at the fraction of the prices we pay now. Its the cell phone industries business model that stinks, and its a business model that benefits no one, works against a free market, and is consumer unfriendly. And if we are going to deliver broadband internet to rural areas, the cell phone industry should co-operate, and won't, if they are allowed to price it out of the market like they are doing now. If they offer high speed internet at all.
Tell me again why the cell phone industry does not need some very serious reform. And if it only takes tax policy to effect those reforms, I am all for it. As it is, I think its going to take some more serious governmental intervention beyond that, but we in the USA have, beyond a doubt, a totally broken cell phone industry that has proven its self inept and ranks at the dead bottom in the entire world.
Have any of you ever tried to get any information out of those turkeys, its not that some of those low level representatives don't try, its a matter that the cell phone executives at the top are rotten to the core.
Face the facts, the government could probably triple its taxes on the cell phone industry and the consumer could get more quality and quantity at the fraction of the prices we pay now. Its the cell phone industries business model that stinks, and its a business model that benefits no one, works against a free market, and is consumer unfriendly. And if we are going to deliver broadband internet to rural areas, the cell phone industry should co-operate, and won't, if they are allowed to price it out of the market like they are doing now. If they offer high speed internet at all.
Tell me again why the cell phone industry does not need some very serious reform. And if it only takes tax policy to effect those reforms, I am all for it. As it is, I think its going to take some more serious governmental intervention beyond that, but we in the USA have, beyond a doubt, a totally broken cell phone industry that has proven its self inept and ranks at the dead bottom in the entire world.
Have any of you ever tried to get any information out of those turkeys, its not that some of those low level representatives don't try, its a matter that the cell phone executives at the top are rotten to the core.
GTaudiophile
Lifer
- Oct 24, 2000
- 29,767
- 33
- 81
I by no means consider myself an appologist for the cell phone companies, nor do I care for the fact that I pay what I do per month for 4 cell phones, unlimited texting, and a data plan for my iPhone. However, the 'tax the %)#(#^U#*Y@%+% cell companies' crowd here is mistaken if they think that said taxes will, a) result in better service or b) not make our monthly bill increase. These companies will indeed pass as much as they can get away with (in terms of the new taxes) on to the consumer. The fact that the tax will be applied across the board means that no company in particular has a competitive incentive to absorb said tax. It'll show up on you bill as yet another tax; maybe they'll even put Obama's smiling face next to it on the bill. He wants this tax to help fund porkulous 1,2,3... Let him man up and make sure America knows why it's there.
SMOGZINN
Lifer
- Jun 17, 2005
- 14,359
- 4,640
- 136
No, we voted the guys that bought the house and Bentley out, but now the next guys are spending even more knowing full well that we will vote them out too, but not until they have filled their pockets. It is a never ending cycle that the average American is just too dumb to catch on to. The next guy will always be diffrent, but never is.
SMOGZINN
Lifer
- Jun 17, 2005
- 14,359
- 4,640
- 136
How exactly will new taxes help the cell phone industry to improve anything? Do you think that because there is a new tax that the stock holders of AT&T et al will demand less profit?
Because I think it is possible that the stock holders of the cell companies will continue to demand ever increasing profits despite the higher costs, and that will drive the companies to simply pass the new tax along and continue to use the confusoploly concept that the baby bells invented to get around competing on price and the cell phone companies have perfected to the point of collusion.
Comparing cell phone companies in the United States vs. Japan is just silly. The massive amount of open areas that cell phone providers here need to cover just makes it an Apples to Elephants comparison..
Besides that. I don't know why the cell phone has suddenly become a 'right' that needs to be addressed by more government involvement. Obama has mandated everyone has a right to a house.. I guess cell phone, internet, cars, etc are all next. Its a fucking joke. If you don't like the price of your cell phone service then DROP it..
This is the big joke when people say we are in the next 'Great Depression'.. In the GP people had to stand in lines for FOOD just to survive. I guess we mean GP now when people feel like government needs to step in to provide them with cell phone and internet service.
Besides that. I don't know why the cell phone has suddenly become a 'right' that needs to be addressed by more government involvement. Obama has mandated everyone has a right to a house.. I guess cell phone, internet, cars, etc are all next. Its a fucking joke. If you don't like the price of your cell phone service then DROP it..
This is the big joke when people say we are in the next 'Great Depression'.. In the GP people had to stand in lines for FOOD just to survive. I guess we mean GP now when people feel like government needs to step in to provide them with cell phone and internet service.
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
- 26,907
- 174
- 106
Exactly right.
Anybody thinking the few rich people making $250K or more are gonna pay for all this stuff is delusional. That whole ruse is just to get people to go along with all the 'new' government programs. Get the sheeple thinking they're gonna something for nothing.
Nope, they're gonna bury it (tax increase) in product costs as often as they can.
Oh, and by-the-way, there are no 'free lunches' and anybody thinking the 'big bad corporations' are merely gonna 'eat it' is just as delusional. Absent irrational speculation (which at this time is completely AWOL) stock prices are based on P/E and RoR etc, let their profits take the hit and see how stock values get reduced - one way or another we're gonna pay. So, it's either coming out of your pocket (increased consumer costs) or out of your retirement account (decreased stock valuation).
Fern
QFT. "Providing for the welfare of the people" (paraphrased) has taken a turn for the surreal due to the sense of entitlement of people in this country. What are the necessities that one needs to survive?
In 1776: Food, water, shelter.
In 2009: Food, water, shelter, guaranteed income regardless of employment, satellite TV, cell phone, 5 bedroom house, two cars less than 10 years old, medication, unlimited access to healthcare.
Until we accept that this is ridiculous, we will continue to circle the drain. If we don't pull up soon, we will go down the drain.
I dont think the cell phone companies are doing a poor job. Yes we may lag behind other countries to some extent, but that is more of function of landmass. Upgrades often take several years to propagate out to all towers. I you want nationwide coverage it is going to be an expensive option.
If you just want local coverage(metropcs, cricket, pocke), you can unlimited coverage pretty cheap.
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