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State Senator Admits Cable Industry Helped Write Pro-Industry Legislation

Posted by Soulskill on from the at-least-he's-honest dept.

jamie sends in news of comments by David Hoyle, a State Senator in North Carolina, about recently defeated legislation he sponsored that would have limited the ability of government to develop municipal broadband. Hoyle readily admitted that the cable industry had a hand in writing the bill. We discussed the cable industry's extensive lobbying efforts in that region last year. From the article: "The veteran state senator says cities should leave broadband to the cable companies. 'It's not fair for any government unit to compete with private enterprise,' he says. In the last legislative session Sen. Hoyle tried to put a moratorium on any more local governments expanding into municipal broadband. When the I-Team asked him if the cable industry drew up the bill, Senator Hoyle responded, 'Yes, along with my help.' When asked about criticism that he was 'carrying water' for the cable companies, Hoyle replied, 'I've carried more water than Gunga Din for the business community — the people who pay the taxes.'"

6 of 426 comments (clear)

  1. Wohoo! by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not fair for any government unit to compete with private enterprise.

    I'm going to start my own mercenary company, and the U.S. Army won't be allowed to compete for national defense!

    1. Re:Wohoo! by twoallbeefpatties · · Score: 2, Funny

      I prefer Lone Star, myself. I hear that if you pay extra, then when someone breaks into your house, they'll send MAGES after him!

      --
      Libertarians somehow believe that private businesses should be stronger than governments but weaker than individuals.
  2. This is great news! by Weaselmancer · · Score: 5, Funny

    When the I-Team asked him if the cable industry drew up the bill, Senator Hoyle responded, 'Yes, along with my help.' When asked about criticism that he was 'carrying water' for the cable companies, Hoyle replied, 'I've carried more water than Gunga Din for the business community — the people who pay the taxes.'"

    Apparently it's business that pays all the taxes in this country and not the citizens!

    Wooohoo! All that tax I've been paying every year around April 15 is an error! There has been some huge oversight and I've been being billed incorrectly.

    I'll take a check for the balance Senator. Pay me when you can.

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    Weaselmancer
    rediculous.
  3. Re:I'm not sure..... by idontgno · · Score: 2, Funny

    Apparently, his constituents aren't individual human beings capable of forming opinions. His constituency seems to be made up entirely of corporate persons, amoral and unemotional money-making machines. Kinda like Terminators, but not as cuddly.

    --
    Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  4. At least he's consistent by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's not fair for any government unit to compete with private enterprise.

    At least he's puting his money where his mouth is, by handing the legislative process over to the private sector.

  5. Re:I'm not sure..... by Flea+of+Pain · · Score: 2, Funny

    Kind of like comma's, except for the "where appropriate" part?

    --
    Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.