Metrocast rate increase -- 6%??

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Unfortunately the current state of the economy or unemployment rates really have nothing to do with the price structure of optional consumer services like cable tv.

That's kinda like saying "We need the Car Company bailout because we pay our Union workers when we shut down factories; we pay laid-off union workers for sitting around; and we don't have to be competitive because we're the Big 3". And when you get right down to it, aren't cars optional (ride a bike); telephones (didn't have thm in 1859, you know); or even houses with toilets (I can remember the times growing up when we only had outhouses)? I've already said cable is necessary when you have to access the internet for a home business (see here for a similar take on this); and if car companies (and everyone else) have to change their business model to meet the current economic conditions, then so do cable companies. I really don't care what cable companies or car companies did 10 years ago; or even last year. I care about what's happening now, in the current economic climate. I believe they need to change their business model, and stop assuming we can all "just afford" whatever they want to charge. And I really don't buy your competitive argument. Cable TV companies still have some restrictions competing in the same area (see here); those restrictions need to be remove.